Posts Tagged: "senior cat"

Caring for a Dying Animal

Cat groomer

When you begin to notice signs of an old cat dying and you are able to care for it indoors, it is important to make the animal as comfortable as possible.  Some animals prefer to lie in a favorite place, such as on a blanket, bed or corner of a room.  Occasionally cats will want to lie in their own litter box, so it is especially important to keep it very clean during this time.  If the animal seems to wander around the home and is in danger of seriously injuring itself, place the animal in a large cage along with a bed and litter box.  This will allow you to observe the animal and keep it out of harm’s way.  Older dying cats that live both indoors and out may simply disappear if allowed outside.  Drying cat will find a cool place to lie down outdoors before they dies.  If you’re looking for a dying pet outdoors, check under trees and bushes in the area or by areas with running water such as creeks or ponds.  They many also be found lying in the shade under cars or other vehicles nearby.

Euthanasia

When people think of their pet dying, they might apply the same principles to the death as they do to a human dying.  While it may seem morally correct to let an animal dies naturally, euthanasia should be considered if the animal is in pain or unable to eat.  Allowing an animal to struggle to live when it’s wracked with pain or starving to death is cruel.  Speak with a veterinarian about euthanasia for a pet when in doubt.

Physical Signs of an Old Cat Dying

Cat Groomer

If you have older cats, knowing the signs of an older cat dying can help you prepare for the inevitable.  By using this information, you can try to help a beloved animal reach a comfortable, quite and peaceful place at the end of their lives.

There are many physical symptoms that can signal that your pet is about to pass away. Some of these symptoms include the following:

*Eyes – A Cat that is dying may have a glazed look to his or her eyes.  Both pupils may be dilated or just one eye may be dilated.  The eyes may also have a sunken-in appearance.

*Fur- Some cat may begin shedding in large amounts or lose clumps of fur before they die.  In other felines, their will look ruffled or messy; their fur won’t lie down smoothly as it normally did.

*Breathing-When a cat is on the verge of dying, it may breath erratically , make gurgling sounds or make wheezing noises.  Some cats will appear to stop breathing, only to begin breathing again. In other cases, the cat may pant or exhibit shallow breathing.

*Mouth-Animals may drool and let their tongue hang out of their month.  Other cats may keep their mouths open.

*Body- A cat may have spasms as it begins to dies.  This will make the cat arch the head and neck backwards.  This is a sign of brain seizures that many older animals experience.

*Voice- Animals that are dying may yowl or purr, depending upon their individual circumstances. Some animals make no sound at all.