How do cats die? The ninth life or where does the cat go for the last time? What to do with a dead cat

Unfortunately, nothing in the world lasts forever and death accompanies us throughout our lives. Of course, the loss of a loved one cannot be compared with the departure into the world of another cat. But sometimes you get so attached to your beloved pet that you consider him a member of the family.

Owners rarely have to watch cats die. And all because most of them prefer to face death away from home all alone. But this does not always happen, since not everyone has the opportunity to go outside. To understand that the cat is dying, and it is time to let him go on his last journey, specific symptoms of an approaching death will help. After all, it is important to ensure proper care for him during this difficult period.

Where and why do purrs go before they die?

IN wild nature a dying cat seeks solitude. This is completely natural, because the animal is weakening and can no longer defend itself from predators. It finds a quiet secluded place to hide and quietly leave.. It is possible that death is perceived as a sign of illness. Therefore, the cat leaves his home in order to lie down.

Pets also retain this instinct. And if they do not go outside, then the closet or the far corner behind the furniture can become the last refuge. At the same time, the animal rarely shows up from the shelter and sleeps almost around the clock. This suspicious symptom should immediately alert.

There is an opinion that by leaving, cats purposefully protect their owners from moral suffering.

The British even have a sign that the death of a cat in the house attracts trouble. But you should not believe in these superstitions, because it is unlikely that a pet would wish bad things to his friend. It's just that not everyone manages to quietly leave the hearth, especially if the old man is weakened and cannot move independently.

Signs of imminent death

You can find out that a cat is dying by the presence of a combination of certain symptoms. If the pet is already more than 12-14 years old, then you need to carefully monitor his behavior and health. Some felines live up to 25 years, but this happens very rarely.

Before you prepare for the worst, you should show it to the veterinarian. It is likely that the pet is just seriously ill, but it can be cured.. Timely therapy is important for recovery, so do not delay going to the clinic or calling a specialist at home. For example, older cats often develop chronic pathologies that are similar to signs of impending death. However, when remission is achieved, the animal can live for several more years without suffering and pain.

But even if medical intervention does not help, the doctor will advise on how to properly care for a friend, prescribe drugs to relieve symptoms. If there is not enough time to carry out supportive manipulations on your own, the cat can be placed in a clinic where he will be provided with the necessary care.

1. Loss of appetite is an alarming symptom

The feeding behavior of a cat before death changes dramatically. She eats little or refuses food altogether, and then water. The following signs should be alert:

• untouched food in a bowl;
• lack of excrement in the tray for two or more days;
• feces with blood impurities;
• dark urine.

After a while, hunger makes itself felt with sunken sides, physical exhaustion. The coat begins to fall out, the pet no longer shows activity and constantly lies. Due to weakness, control over the muscles of the intestines and urinary tract is reduced. There may be traces of bowel movements on the floor in the house.

2. Difficulty breathing is a sign of the approaching end

Other symptoms of a cat dying are changes in breathing. The heart can no longer work fully, so the amount of oxygen supplied to the lungs and blood decreases. The pet draws in air heavily and rapidly, trying to make up for the losses. In a healthy animal, the frequency of breaths per minute is 20-30. Shortness of breath, weak or rare breathing are symptoms of imminent death. It is not difficult to determine the indicator, it is enough to use a stopwatch and count the number of chest rises per minute.

3. Decreased heart rate and blood pressure - dangerous symptoms

Signs that the cat is dying include a slow heart rate (normally 140-122 beats per minute) and a drop in blood pressure. The change in these indicators occurs due to difficulties in pumping blood by the heart and, as a result, overloads. You can measure the pulse of an animal like this:

• put the palm on the left side behind the front paw;
• count the number of beats in 15 seconds;
• calculate the heart rate per minute by multiplying the resulting figure by 4. If the number of beats is less than 60, then this sign indicates the approaching death of the cat.

Unfortunately, at home without special equipment, it will not work to measure the pressure of a pet.

4. A specific smell is a sign of imminent death

From a dying cat comes bad smell. This happens due to a decrease in the efficiency of internal organs. Slows down or completely stops the removal of toxins. Harmful substances gradually accumulate in the body, a symptom of which is the unpleasant odor of the body and the mouth of the animal.

5. Low temperature

Checking for signs of death of a cat, it is necessary to measure the body temperature:

• special ear thermometer;
• rectal digital device, the tip of which is gently inserted into the rectum.

The body temperature of a dying cat is significantly below 37.7 ⁰С, which indicates a weakness of the heart. When there is no thermometer at hand, you can feel the paw pads of the animal. If they are cool, then this is also a bad symptom.

How to take care of a pet?

Caring for a dying cat takes effort, time, and patience. She needs to provide a comfortable and soft place to rest. A cozy and warm lounger can be made from a blanket. Two rules must be followed:

• Regularly monitor the cleanliness of the sleeping place by washing the bedding daily.
• If old cat cannot control urination, then lay disposable diapers on top of the soft base, changing them as they become dirty.

When the animal does not have enough strength to visit the toilet, then you need to help. To do this, it is carried on hand to the tray every 3-4 hours.

You should not violate the solitude of a cat if he seeks to move away and does not respond to affection.

It is important to relieve the symptoms of a pet's pain. Cats rarely yell, meow, or otherwise show their distress. But you can recognize them if they have the following signs:

• decreased sociability and detachment;
• immobilization;
• one point look
• dilated pupils;
• refusal to drink and eat;
• intermittent breathing.

Is it humane to euthanize a cat?

If all the signs that are observed when death is approaching are present, then the owner must decide what to do with the cat. Artificial killing is perceived by some as a betrayal and the murder of a dear friend. In this case, it is better to surround the pet with care and love, trying to provide all possible assistance.

But the disease can cause unbearable pain and progress for quite a long time. Symptoms of oncology and urolithiasis are considered especially severe.

Watching the torment of a once active and cheerful pet is unbearable. It is necessary to do everything for a dying cat to alleviate suffering.

Sometimes euthanasia is much more humane than the unbearable agony of an animal for several weeks. The veterinarian will inject the cat with a special drug that will ensure a quiet and painless death in a few seconds. During the procedure, you can stay next to a friend, seeing him on his last journey, or leave the room.

What to do after the death of a pet?

So it's time to take care of the body, which is better to wrap in cloth and put in a plastic bag. Choose between cremation and burial. You can find out where the crematorium or special cemetery is located at the veterinarian. If the law does not prohibit the burial of a pet in a private area or outside the city, then you need to find a suitable place. A picturesque corner on the shore of a reservoir under a tree is perfect. It is forbidden to bury animals in parks and squares.

How to deal with loss?

The death of a beloved friend and practically a family member is a big blow. If you can’t overcome the bitterness of loss on your own, symptoms of depression appear, then you should contact a psychotherapist. Here are some tips to help you deal with your emotions:

• Remove the things of the deceased from the house (bowls, toys, harnesses, brushes, etc.) so that they do not remind of a sad event. If it’s a pity to throw it away, then it’s better to give them to friends or to a shelter.
• Remember the bright moments spent with your pet. How clumsy and funny he was as a child, how he loved to climb on the table or hang on the curtains, causing uncontrollable laughter, how grateful he murmured and rubbed his nose. Do not dwell on the sad period, signs of death, do not scroll sad events in your head.
• Don't get another animal. Wait until the pain of loss is gone completely.
• A sign that it's time to bring a kitten into the house is the absence of tears and suffering at the memory of an old friend.

Before you get a new family member, you should understand that the responsibility will have to be borne throughout his life (on average 12-16 years). In addition to information about caring for a baby, you need to ask how cats behave before death, and what are the signs of the approaching end.

Not every person is able to cope with emotions and adequately accept the fact that one day they will have to take their pet on their last journey.

But it is necessary to realize the full degree of responsibility so that subsequently the old cat is not thrown out to the mercy of fate on the street. After all, he expects from a friend whom he faithfully loved, support and care, and not betrayal.

Sooner or later, like people, all cats die of old age. But how painful it is when death occurs against the background of a progressive disease in a still very young animal. To prevent such a sad outcome, it is important to carefully monitor the health of the cat. and symptoms. Sometimes only an experienced doctor is able to notice the signs of an incipient disease. That is why it is worth visiting the veterinarian periodically to examine your pet. Remember, prompt medical attention can save his life.

But if the pet died a natural death, then you should not grieve and shed tears. After all, on a cat's rainbow, he is comfortable and calm, there is no longer pain, and the old body no longer restricts movements. Don't doubt that you were good friend. They loved and protected the cat throughout their lives, but more importantly, they did not leave and supported in difficult times. And this is a sign of true devoted friendship.

Every person who has a cat at home sooner or later goes through a very sad period. The animal begins to grow old and get sick, and then inevitably dies, and not everyone can survive the death of a cat easily! Of course, there are no universal “recipes” for how to experience this time, however, in many countries, traditions and advice have been developed for centuries on what to do if a cat has died, and you cannot come to terms with the loss.

Cats go to die

Of course, if this suddenly happens to you, you will find your own way, but still it does not hurt to prepare for this. The first step is to learn to notice the signs of a cat's death. If the animal has been sick for a long time before, it is easier to recognize the imminent departure - the cat simply weakens, stops eating, practically does not get up from its place and more often sleeps or simply lies with its eyes open. At the same time, you may notice that her breathing gradually weakens, and the behavior of the cat before death will be a little disturbing. If the animal is left at home, it may come to say goodbye to you. Usually, a sick cat climbs onto its owner’s lap with the last of its strength and lies for some time, waiting for affection, and then leaves. It is extremely rare for cats to die in their owner's arms.

If nothing foreshadowed trouble, or you were not very attentive to your pet, it will be more difficult for you. The main sign - the cat before death tends to be alone. She is not just hiding, she is trying to leave, and to leave you so that you can neither return her nor find her. Alas, this is a very common phenomenon, and it was recorded many centuries ago. The reasons for this act are not fully understood, but scientists believe that the cat does this ... from pain! The body of the animal suffers from various ailments and diseases (even if these ailments are not noticeable to the owners), and your pet is simply trying to escape from these sufferings by instinctively leaving his beloved home. And, perhaps, this way of care can be considered very humane in relation to the owners - in this case, the death of a cat will hurt them less, because they will not see it.

If the animal does not have the opportunity to leave home, be prepared for the fact that at a tragic moment it will simply hide in a secluded place or will die when you are not at home. And if suddenly you notice that the pet is behaving strangely, do not try to chase him and do not try to "cure" him. It is believed that cats feel death, so in this case they are wiser than us.

The cat died: what to do?

Different nations to this tragic event approached differently. In ancient Egypt, for example, cats were considered sacred animals, they lived in every house, and when an animal died, the household was simply inconsolable. As a sign of mourning, according to tradition, they shaved off their eyebrows.

In our time, the death of a cat is considered no less a tragedy, but you can grieve about it in a completely different way. Knowing that cats leave before death, try to make sure that the animal does not leave without a trace. This does not mean that you need to watch him, but still do not let him die where you will never find him! And once that happens, you will have to take on some important responsibilities.

Your first step is to bury your pet, and you need to do this by choosing a suitable place. The causes of death of cats can be different - it can be illness, and longing, and an accident, but in any case, animals must be buried with the same dignity. Be sure to find a special cemetery for animals (it is believed that on human cemeteries pets should not be buried), or bury the cat in some secluded corner that you can visit periodically and that is guaranteed not to be destroyed. Worry about the funeral just as you would for a person. This is especially true if there was a sudden death of a cat - chores will help you escape from grief.

How do you get over the death of a cat?

The next step is to preserve the memory of the animal, but at the same time not torturing yourself and your loved ones. Some owners put real monuments to their pets, but whether it is worth it is up to you, and in any case, the question of the monument can be discussed later. In the meantime, there are a few things in front of you that you must do, no matter how painful it may be! Try:

1. immediately remove all your pet's things - bowls, trays, toys: this may seem cruel to you, but it is important first of all for you, because the pet's things left without him will torment you very much;


2. remember the bright moments from the life of an animal - yes, your cat died, but this is not a reason to constantly scroll tragic minutes in your head, it’s better to remember how you played with her and how funny she was: after such memories, you will definitely smile and it will seem to you that your pet is still around;


3. change habits associated with a cat: for example, if you liked to sit in a chair in which your pet always came to you, then try to sit in another one for some time after his death - this will be less painful, because at least you will not be sad remember how the beast jumped on your lap and subconsciously wait for its appearance.

Another "recipe" that many people recommend is to immediately get a second pet so that there is someone to take care of. This method can be very effective and efficient, but, alas, not for everyone. There are people for whom a dead cat after death remains the only and unforgettable friend, and for them a new pet in the house is even “contraindicated”, because they may even hate him.

But if you clearly understand that life goes on and want to quickly start living without grief and longing, little kitty will be a kind of salvation. Just do not associate it with the previous pet! Some people think that the soul of a cat after death moves to another animal, but one should not blindly believe in this. Treat the kitten as an independent and completely different animal, and then it will be easier for you to love him without replacing the dead animal with a new one.

A bit of mysticism

There are many legends and signs associated with the death of a cat. Many of them talk about the fact that the cat after death allegedly becomes a kind of "guardian angel" of the owner. This is a very touching version, and it's not just based on simple fantasies! Still, everyone in the same Ancient Egypt believed that a cat is a direct link between a person and God, and perhaps this belief has simply survived to this day. It is not known where cats go when they die, but one thing is clear: if this place exists, they will take care of you there too!

Another layer of beliefs concerns signs. The British believed that cats should not be allowed to die in the house - they believed that this could invite trouble. However, this is, of course, a superstition. And if you do not believe in signs, the death of a cat should not scare you and be considered a bad omen. It is unlikely that an animal that has been devoted to you all its life wants to hurt you!

How to help a cat survive the death of the owner?

This is another tragedy that can befall a family with a cat. And if many are wondering how to survive the death of a cat, then not many think about how to help the animal cope with grief if the owner dies. Alas, sometimes cat owners die before their pets, and there are cases when animals, following the owner, died of boredom or left his house without a trace. Given this, many seek to prepare the pet for parting in advance, but is it worth it? We often wonder if cats feel the death of their owner or members of his family, and many signs indicate that consciously or unconsciously, animals understand this. Here are just a few of them:

1. if the cat carefully sniffs the air exhaled by the owner, this may mean the beginning of his illness,


2. if the cat does not want to lie in bed with a sick owner, this portends his death (if the cat remains in bed, it is believed that she takes the disease upon herself),


3. if a cat constantly meows next to the owner and is so excited that her hair is electrified, this may be a harbinger of trouble.

However, these are all just superstitions, and whether to believe in them is up to you. However, there is one sign that is not among the superstitions. This is the specific behavior of a cat with dying people. At such moments, the animal usually shuns its owner, even if it used to love him very much! Some cats even hiss at their beloved owners and are not given into their hands, but you should not think that this is how the animal shows selfishness or ingratitude! In fact, this is also just an attempt to protect themselves from grief: just as cats go to die to hide from illness and pain, they also try to get away from a sick owner so that they do not grieve so much!

Given this, the question of how to prepare a cat for the death of the owner often disappears by itself: the animal most often knows about the tragedy long before it happens! There have even been cases when cats for many kilometers felt the misfortune that happened to the owner, and demonstrated this with anxiety (the cat rushes from corner to corner) or longing. It also happened that cats simply left the house and went to where their owner is, unmistakably finding his grave.

But more often than not, the cat simply leaves its home, unable to live there without the person it loves. No one knows where cats go after the death of their owner, just as no one knows where cats go to die, anticipating their death. But even if they find themselves new house, and it will seem to everyone that they have forgotten about their former home, this is not so. No matter what happens, and no matter where the cat lives, she will always remember everything!

Our pets are not eternal and, unfortunately, live too little. No owner is ready to let go of a pet, even when the time has come. The owner who managed to understand that the cat is dying has time to get used to the thought of it, and this is a chance to survive the loss easier and faster.

Signs of an imminent death of a cat from old age are not as obvious as they seem. Cats are naturally secretive and keep their composure to the last. As soon as the pet gives up, he admits his vulnerability, and in the wild, this equates to death.

Cats older than 7-8 years old are considered elderly. It is important to distinguish between the concepts of old age and old age. As soon as a cat enters old age, its metabolic processes begin to slow down naturally.

These changes are in no way connected with the imminent death of the pet, since there are cases when cats lived up to 25–27 years of age. A natural slowdown in metabolism allows the body to function longer.

Note! An older cat becomes less active, but continues to consume the usual amount of food, drink water, groom itself, etc.

The only factor that can cause serious harm to the body of an elderly cat and bring his death closer is constant stress. Naturally, we are talking about animals that are provided with care and quality feeding.

It quickly and rapidly destroys the body, literally slows down metabolism and leads to rapid aging. The concept of aging is usually understood as the process of slowing down the work of organs and systems of the body until they stop completely.

The decrease in the activity of the organs is indicated by the smell that appears from the cat. The reason for the foreign smell is the accumulation of toxins that are removed by cleansing systems in a healthy animal. A foreign smell can appear from the fur, ears and paws of the cat.

With kidney and liver failure, the animal's breath acquires a sour or metallic odor. If the state of oppression is forced, the smell becomes clearer and richer.

Before drawing conclusions about the imminent death of a pet, even if its age is respectful, consult a veterinarian. A depressed and even lethargic state may indicate a disease that can be stopped.

Many older cats suffer from chronic diseases that are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Depressed breathing.
• A sharp deterioration in the quality of wool.
• Decreased heart rate.
• The appearance of a distinctly fetid odor of breath.
• Intense yellow urine with a pungent odor.

Note! Symptoms similar to depression before death can occur with tapeworm infection, urinary tract infection, and cancer.

Do cats leave home to die?

In the wild, a dying cat realizes that she has become vulnerable. Avoiding violent death from the teeth of a predator, the cat is looking for a secluded, safe and warm place. If a pet feels this addiction, they may intentionally leave the house or hide.

Whether to let go of a pet, knowing that he will not return, is a purely personal decision. Veterinarians recommend not letting deep-aged animals out of the house, as they are vulnerable to young cats and dogs.

If, after consultation with a doctor, it was revealed that medical intervention will not lead to relief of the condition and will not prolong life, then the owner has only one thing to do - to provide the pet with maximum comfort.

Note! If your pet is experiencing pain or other discomfort, incontinence, inflammation, or other ailments, ask your vet for supportive care.

It should be understood that from the moment of oppression of the animal's organs to death, it may take several months. At this time, the pet may experience health problems, such as urinary or fecal incontinence.

In this case, the owner needs to think not about his own emotions, but about the well-being of the cat. Expected urinary incontinence is uncomfortable for the owner, but it brings even more suffering to the cat:

• Skin irritation.
• The appearance of ulcers.
• Feeling of inadequacy, in the inability to care for yourself and maintain cleanliness.

Important! Even if the death of your pet is close, your main task remains to provide comfort.

Closely monitor the condition of the pet and take action if pain occurs. Severe pain may be indicated by withdrawn behavior, intermittent or rare breathing, unwillingness to move, complete refusal of food and water.

Symptoms and signs of imminent death of a cat from the disease

Unfortunately, many owners lose their pets at a young age. The cat may die from illness or injury. Depression of the body is accompanied by certain symptoms.

An obvious sign of deterioration is a slowdown in metabolism.
A natural consequence of slowing down the body is oxygen starvation, which is not obvious at first.

Slight oxygen starvation can be determined by the pulse rate. Normally, a cat's heart rate is between 140 and 220 beats per minute. At the stage of chronic weakness and oxygen starvation, the pulse can decrease to 60–100 beats per minute.

To measure the cat's pulse, you need to put an open palm on the pet's chest, under the paw:

• Using a stopwatch, determine the number of heart beats in 15 seconds.
• The resulting number of strokes must be multiplied by four.

Important! In weak cats, the pulse may not be felt due to a critical drop in blood pressure. In this case, a stethoscope or other equipment must be used to measure the heart rate.

In parallel with the decrease in heart rate, the cat's respiratory rate decreases. Normally, a healthy cat takes 20-30 breaths per minute. As the heart rate slows, the lungs expand less efficiently, resulting in oxygen starvation. With significant oxygen starvation, breathing with an open mouth can be observed.

Unfortunately, severe weakness and open-mouth breathing indicates that the animal's lungs are partially filled with fluid. The final diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian, at home you can observe the following signs:

• The chest should rise with each breath if the abdomen swells and the ribs are almost immobilized - this is a sign of fluid effusion into the lungs.

• Measure the frequency of breaths with a stopwatch (within a minute) - if the cat takes less than 20 calm breaths, this indicates general depression. More than 40 fast, shallow, ragged breaths indicates a struggle for oxygen, which is bad.

• Wheezing and coughing, against the background of rapid intermittent breathing, indicate a significant filling of the lungs with fluid, and in this case it is more humane to resort to euthanasia (after a detailed examination by a doctor).

The depression of cardiac activity and oxygen starvation is indicated by a decrease in the base body. Normally, a cat's body temperature ranges from 38-39.5 degrees. A decrease in temperature below 38 degrees indicates a breakdown and the approach of a lethargic state.

To measure a cat's body temperature:

• Use an electronic thermometer - the tip of the thermometer is warmed by a clamped palm until comfortable temperature, richly lubricated with petroleum jelly or cream and injected into the anus.

• If there is no thermometer at hand, the basic body temperature is determined by: tactile sensations of the temperature of the ears, eyelids, skin of the abdomen, nose and gums. A change in the color of the mucous membranes may indicate a decrease in body temperature. Normally, a cat's mucous membranes look bright pink or black (with dark pigmentation). In a lethargic state, the gums become discolored, becoming almost transparent or gray.

In a weakened state, usually, cats refuse food and water. If the feeder and drinker remains intact, it is necessary to monitor the feces. If a cat does not drink enough water, its urine will become rich yellow and acquire a distinct odor.

Ignoring food is indicated by the absence of bowel movements or slight diarrhea with mucus. Quite often, cats continue to eat but cannot digest the food. In this case, the pet defecates chewed, but not digested food with mucus.

Note! Before death, many animals experience urinary and fecal incontinence.

How to prepare for the fact that the cat is about to die

What to do if you already understand that the pet will die soon? In addition to providing maximum comfort for the cat, you need to take care of yourself and family members. If a cat is dying of an illness and is suffering, it makes much more sense to consider euthanasia. Naturally, no owner would want to personally shorten the life of a cat, however, if she suffers, making a difficult decision is care and mercy.

If the pet is dying of old age, naturally, all you can do is be there. Until death, cats remain sensitive to the emotions of the owner, so try to control yourself, no matter how difficult it may be. If you start crying and wailing, the pet will become scared. Try to be near the cat, stroke it more and talk to it.

20-60 minutes before the death of the pet, he will fall into a state of lethargy, which you can determine by dilated pupils. It is believed that in this state the cat does not feel anything. The only thing that an animal can react to is tactile sensations.

When oxygen starvation is forced, the cat begins to worry, even while in a semi-conscious state. Nervous system Animals are designed in such a way that work in smaller and more numerous nerve fibers dulls the sensations from large nerve fibers. Simply put, if you constantly stroke a cat (irritate the skin), it will experience less discomfort on a physiological level.

What to do when the pet is gone? When your pet's heart stops, you can let your emotions run wild. Talking about the death of a pet is not only possible, but necessary. An animal that has lived in a family for 10 or more years becomes a full-fledged member of it.
Discuss the loss of a pet with family members, if you have children calmly explain to them what happened. Try to convey to the child the idea that now the pet is not hurt and not scared.

By law, dead pets cannot be buried in the ground. The only legal way to dispose of dead animals is cremation. By the way, no matter how pointless it is, it is also illegal to scatter the ashes.

Some cities have pet cemeteries where a pet can be buried without breaking the law. Most owners find themselves in a dead end and resort to burial in a remote place, for example, outside the city.

After the funeral, when you are ready, all your pet's personal belongings must be collected and hidden. Naturally, we are not talking about the destruction or throwing away of things, a departed pet. However, if you stumble upon a cat's bowl or litter every day, you will experience a constant sense of loss.

Take your time and do not get another cat to replace the deceased. Every pet deserves to be loved for who it is. If you get a new pet too early, you will intuitively begin to compare it to a dead pet.

Naturally, literally in the first month of living together, it turns out that the new kitten does not look like your usual pet, and this will again bring a feeling of emptiness and disappointment.

If more than six months have passed since the death of the pet, and your state of mind has not been balanced, you need to seek professional help. The human brain does not distinguish between the "objectivity" of the loss, it has been proven that many people fall into a state of deep depression after losing a pet.

There is nothing shameful in referring to psychologists and psychotherapists. Therapy will help if you can acknowledge your own problem and be willing to move on.

In this article, we will cover the main dying cat symptoms. When a cat or cat is too ill, the progression of the disease is sometimes completely unnoticeable, that you may not even know what happened.

Understanding the common signs that can tell that the end is near will help you make the right decision about what is best for a cat or a cat in a given situation.
There are many clinical signs, these are the symptoms of a dying cat, which will tell you that the cat is close to death.

We will consider the main ones, and the exact ones are individual for each case and depend on the disease.

Symptoms of a dying cat.

1. Decreased heart rate (HR) Normally, a cat's heart beats at a rate of 110 to 200 beats per minute. When a cat's heart weakens, the heart rate drops rapidly. Toward the end, there are longer and longer pauses between each individual rhythm, and the heart rate becomes irregular until the heart stops completely.
2. Reduced respiratory activity (RPA) A healthy normal cat takes 20-30 breaths per minute. If the heart is weakened, it can no longer pump the lungs efficiently and that less oxygen is available in the blood. Initially, this will lead to difficulty breathing, making it more and more difficult for the cat to breathe. Towards the end, breathe in less and more interval between them, until the cat is too weak and stops breathing completely.
3. Reduced pressure (RP) Normal pressure for adult cat about 140/90, but it drops off quickly when the cat dies. You can see if a cat's breathing is slowing down and you can put your hand on her chest and feel her heart rate slow, but you won't be able to see or understand that a cat's blood pressure is dropping.
4. Decrease in body temperature (Hypothermia) As the heart rate (HR) decreases, the body cools down, especially the limbs. Once the cat's temperature reaches 32 degrees or lower, you can feel it with your hand.
5. Emaciation. Cats and cats stop eating and drinking when death is inevitable. The cat begins to look emaciated due to the lack of calories from the diet. Lack of fluid and thirst leads to dehydration. You will understand this by the state of elasticity of her skin.
6. Unpleasant pungent odor. With chronic kidney failure (CRF), which is the cause of the approaching death of a cat, toxins in the blood begin to exceed the allowable amount. As a result, the mouth and the whole body of the cat will smell awful. The longer the disease lasts, the worse and sharper the smell will be.
7. Spontaneous excretion of urine and feces. As the body rebuilds, the muscles weaken and reach a point where the cat can no longer control them. Muscles that control bladder and the sphincters themselves relax, and this is followed by uncontrolled movements and the excretion of urine and feces.

Euthanasia of cats.

If your cat shows these signs, then it is close to death, it is better to spend. This will be a humane choice in cases where there is significant pain and anguish.
When you decide, the veterinarian will give the cat an injection that will slow the heart to a stop. It takes a couple of seconds and is not a painful procedure.

It's natural to feel a strong sense of loss due to the death of a cat, so be sure to give yourself some time to grieve. Someday grief will pass and you may decide it's time to bring new cat into your life.

At the moment when a fluffy creature appears in the house, household members rarely think that the life of an animal is not as long as a human, and joyful minutes of communication with a mustachioed friend after some time will be overshadowed by a sad event. Not all owners have experienced how cats die in their lives. Prepare for such a difficult period should be in advance.

If an animal older than 12-14 years old lives in the house, the owner and household should carefully monitor it, not missing the onset of the harbingers of impending death.

Read in this article

Signs of the inevitable approaching

Both people and animals live according to biological laws that determine such stages as birth, development and death. Average duration cat life ranges from 14 to 16 years.

Some individuals are able to live much longer, but this happy exception is not so common in the cat world.

If an animal that is over 14 years old lives in the house, then the owner must understand that the hour of parting with his beloved pet is not far off. There are harbingers of the inevitable that will tell you how to understand that the cat is dying. It is worth knowing about them in order to prepare yourself and prepare your children. This can be done by paying attention to such physiological indicators as heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, etc.

Pulse

A healthy cat has a heart rate of 140 to 220 beats per minute. A decrease in this indicator indicates that the heart muscle is having difficulty pumping blood, and the pulse slows down, becomes sluggish, thready. The heart of a sick and old animal experiences severe overload, which leads to a weakening of the pulse.

• The palm should be placed in the area on the left side, behind the forelimbs.

• Armed with a stopwatch, you need to count the number of heart beats in 15 seconds.

• The resulting number of beats should be multiplied by 4, the result will be a figure characterizing the heartbeat per minute.

In the event that the figure obtained is below 60 beats per minute, then such a situation may indicate an approaching end. In addition to measuring the pulse, blood pressure can also be determined in a dying pet, but this can only be done using special equipment, for example, in a veterinary institution.

Breath

In addition to a change in pulse, how to understand that the cat is dying? In some cases, this can be done by registering a change in the pet's breathing. Within one minute, an adult healthy animal makes 20-30 respiratory movements. Numerous diseases, old age cause difficulty in breathing. The lungs do not work as efficiently, the supply of oxygen to the body is sharply reduced. The animal is forced to breathe often, while breathing itself becomes heavy, difficult.

Temperature

In addition to the pulse and breathing, the owner can understand about the imminent death of the pet. In a healthy animal, the normal range of this indicator ranges from 37.5 - 39.5 C. In the event that a cat dies, its body temperature decreases.

For measurement, you can use a special infrared thermometer for animals, which measures the temperature in the auricle, or use a conventional digital device. In this case, the thermometer is gently inserted into the anus of the cat.

Particular attention should be paid to the behavior of an elderly homebody. Some animals before death try to retire, find a secluded and quiet place. Many household members note that shortly before death, cats fall into almost round-the-clock hibernation. Sometimes independent in life and not very friendly cats before their death become affectionate and even playful, show sentimentality and attention to the owner. In some cases, dying, the cat purrs loudly.

If the animal has a serious illness, then the likelihood of pain is high. Cats endure pain silently. Dilated pupils, a glance at one point, detachment, half-sleep can testify to physical torment.

Host actions

In the event that all signs of impending death are present, the owner must decide how he will deal with the dying pet. Some people categorically do not accept euthanasia, considering it the murder of their friend. In this case, in last days The life of a pet must be surrounded by attention and care. Realizing that the end is near, one should treat the decrepit animal condescendingly and with understanding.

If the cat is having difficulty going to the toilet, you should install a tray next to the bed. In the case of involuntary bowel movements, it is advisable to use special absorbent diapers, which are convenient to change as they get dirty.

In situations where the cat does not experience pain, the owner usually decides that the end of life will be natural. Households should give the pet maximum time and care. So the cat will not feel deprived and offended. However, if the animal is unpleasant to touch, stroke, it tries to retire, this should not be prevented.

With a serious illness, especially of an oncological nature, it is likely that the animal is experiencing physical suffering. In this situation, a veterinarian should be consulted and the appropriateness of euthanasia discussed.

To learn how cats die, what pet owners should do, see this video:

Why do pets leave home

Many cat lovers have repeatedly encountered such a situation when an old and sick animal left its native walls. Reasons why cats leave to die
at home, zoopsychologists name a few. There is an opinion that animals, feeling their helplessness and weakness, obeying their natural instinct, are looking for a quiet and safe place.

This is how their wild relatives behave, realizing that before death they become easy prey for enemies. Pets have not lost these ancient instincts and are looking for such a place away from home.

It is possible that the animals feel the approach of death as a kind of painful condition, and try to lie down in a quiet and peaceful place. Thinking about where cats go to die, some owners believe that this is how animals protect their owners from negative emotions. Being very mysterious and completely unknown creatures, cats even at the moment of death ask riddles to a person.

Among zoopsychologists, there is a point of view that the departure of a dying pet is due to the fact that a sick animal considers the people around it to be the source of its poor health. It is difficult to say unequivocally where cats go when they die. Most often, this is a place that is hard to reach for potential enemies, dark and quiet.

The owner should also understand that not always the departure of a cat is associated with death. Perhaps the exhausted and old animal is in trouble and needs help. In this regard, measures should be taken to find a pet.

Not all animals leave the house before death. If the cat has never been outside, is sick with a serious illness, is too weak, then death occurs in the house.

Do I need to see a veterinarian

Having found signs of impending death in a cat, you should not fall into despair. In most aged animals, the symptoms of various diseases that can still be helped are similar to the signs of death. In this case, well-conducted treatment will give the pet several years of life.

In the event of the development of serious pathologies that are not compatible with life in an elderly animal, accompanied by severe pain, the veterinarian will prescribe painkillers.

If a specialist suspects that the cat is in serious distress, the owner should consider euthanasia as a humane relief from pain.

What to do with a dead cat

The question of what to do if a cat has died is one of the most difficult and painful for the owner. Many people are accustomed to long years to a pet, even the natural death of their furry friend from old age is hard to accept. The chores of burying the body will help to cope with emotions.

In large cities there are peculiar cemeteries intended for the burial of domestic animals, or special crematoria. You can also choose a picturesque and beautiful place outside the city limits. It is strictly forbidden to bury animals in public and national parks.

After the death of a pet, all items associated with it (toys, tray, bowls, etc.) must be removed. Memories of pet should be bright and kind. You should not immediately start another animal, it is better to wait a while, when the pain of loss subsides.

With an understanding of how cats die, owners can see the looming signs of a sad event and prepare accordingly. It is important that the last days of your pet's life are surrounded by the warmth and care of native hands.

home » hip » How do cats die? The ninth life or where does the cat go for the last time? What to do with a dead cat