How to put a cat to sleep

It can be difficult to get your cat to go asleep at times, particularly if they are energetic or enjoy going on nighttime adventures. However, cats require enough sleep to remain healthy and happy, just like people do.

We’ll go over some easy ways to help your cat unwind and get ready for a restful night’s sleep in this guide. You’ll discover simple methods to improve bedtime routines for both you and your cat, from setting up a comfortable space to modifying their habits.

These methods can significantly alter your cat’s sleeping patterns, regardless of whether they are a night owl or simply a little fidgety.

Tip Description
Create a calm environment Dim the lights and lower the noise to help your cat relax before bedtime.
Establish a routine Feed your cat and play with them at the same time every day, so they know when it"s time to settle down.
Use a comfortable bed Provide a cozy and quiet sleeping area where your cat feels safe.
Play before bed Engage your cat in active play before bedtime to help burn off energy.
Minimize distractions Close the curtains and keep the room quiet to avoid interruptions while your cat sleeps.

What is animal euthanasia and when is it necessary

Euthanasia is the deliberate taking of a life. "Good death" is how this Greek term is translated. Euthanasia is a medical procedure used when a pet has a life-threatening disease or injury. Zoo animals and strays are also put to death.

Euthanasia is applied to animals that are extremely sick.

When witnessing the animal’s agonizing suffering becomes intolerable, cat owners consider euthanasia. Making a choice like this is challenging. Some never make a decision regarding this process. Together with the cat, the owner must endure the pain. It is morally and humanely unacceptable to put a pet to sleep just because you’re bored with them. However, if a pet is ill, the law protecting animals does not forbid putting it to sleep. It also occurs that information about an animal’s impending death becomes public knowledge. Then someone tends to his pet. There must be medical grounds for euthanasia.

Indications for the procedure

It’s not necessary to plan for a sick cat’s death right away. Assessing the disease’s severity is essential. Maybe there’s still hope and the animal can be saved. A vet will assist in evaluating the circumstances. You can find out from a professional whether the pet has to be put to sleep. In certain situations (when unsure), you can speak with two to three experts. Veterinarians have the authority to recommend the death of a cat. The animal will be put down by force if it is determined to have rabies. The owner alone decides what to do in the event of other diseases.

When a cat has a serious illness, its owners decide whether to put it to sleep.

A veterinarian will typically advise euthanasia if the animal has one of the following illnesses:

  • oncology of important organs (liver, lungs, kidneys, metastases to the spinal cord);
  • serious injuries after an accident (multiple fractures near vital organs);
  • inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord;
  • rupture of the spinal cord (as a result of renal failure);
  • severe infectious infections that threaten an epidemic (rabies, plague);
  • various parasitic invasions in advanced form, such as leptospirosis, dirofilariasis, etc.).

When a cat is in pain and there is no chance of recovery, many pet owners must make the difficult decision to put their cat to sleep. It’s crucial to speak with a veterinarian to determine whether euthanasia is the most humane way to relieve a cat of their suffering and enable a calm transition.

How cats are euthanized in veterinary clinics

The animal is killed before the process of euthanasia begins. This is an example of an anesthetic. A medication that affects and turns off the central nervous system is injected into the cat. The animal loses all senses while under anesthesia, including pain perception. Depending on the drug’s dosage, this process (waking up from anesthesia) may also be reversible. Nonetheless, during surgeries, small amounts of sleeping medications are used. Moreover, doses capable of totally shutting off the brain are employed during euthanasia. The animal is no longer conscious, but its breathing and heartbeat are still present.

It is possible for the owner to bid their cherished pet farewell before the animal is sedated.

Following the first part of the procedure, the cat is in a state known as a vegetative coma. You can give your pet one last look. Veterinarians will then ask you to exit into the corridor. This is being done out of compassion. The second medication is given by the veterinarian after a delay of roughly twenty minutes. The animal’s heart eventually slows down and stops. The vet will notify the owner that the animal has passed away when all vital signs are zero.

I am extremely appreciative to fate that I have never had to put my pets down. However, I am aware of others who had less luck. The owner is tormented by regret when forced to make such a decision. And occasionally, even after euthanasia. In my opinion, a caring owner ought to sense if he is psychologically prepared and if he has bid farewell to the animal. And you can choose to act on it if your desire to end suffering outweighs your self-pity.

There is an alternative, less humane method of ending life. It employs medications that halt the heart and lungs forcibly. The animal may "beat" in anguish in this situation. As such, one needs to ascertain which medication and which technique are employed in the selected clinic first.

Which drugs can be used and which are prohibited

Certain medications are not advised for pet euthanasia.

Depending on their financial situation, some clinics (and occasionally the owners themselves) select medications that are not advised. Some medications are just hard to get access to. These medications are also used for euthanasia even though the majority of international animal protection organizations do not advise using them. One such medication is ditilin (listenol, adilin, succinylcholine, suxamethonium). The animal will experience its final stages of death if ditilin is used. As such, it is imperative that you either stop using it or insist that the cat be placed in a vegetative state.

During my research on euthanasia drugs, a web search turned up a medication called T-61. In other words, Russians turn to using it. Even so, only a few European nations—Germany, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Slovenia, and Italy—officially use it.

T-61 contains several active ingredients:

  • embutramide;
  • tetracaine hydrochloride;
  • mebezonium iodide.

Because this medication is injected intracardiacally or intrapulmonarily, its use is regarded as a cruel method of execution in some nations. T-61 should only be used as a last resort for euthanasia, according to the World Society for the Protection of Animals. The society advises that it be taken in conjunction with (or immediately following) a high dosage of sleeping medication.

Every city has a public organization that works with animals; you can ask volunteers for suggestions on which medication to take.

The Russian Federation allows the use of the following medications:

  1. Xylazine (rometar, xylanite, xyla) can be used in combination with other drugs.
  2. Zoletil consists of tiletamine (anesthetic) and zolazepam (muscle relaxant), can be used with other drugs (for example, xylazine).
  3. Barbiturates: sodium thiopental, pentobarbital, hexenal, phenobarbital, etc.d.
  4. Propofol (diprivan) is an anesthetic, a short-acting hypnotic, similar in its properties to the previous drugs.
  5. Arduan, listenol – curare-like muscle relaxants, similar to ditilin. Used for euthanasia by stopping breathing. Can only be used after the animal has lost consciousness.
  6. Lidocaine is an anesthetic and cardiac depressant. Used for euthanasia by injection into a vein or into the heart. The animal must be be under anesthesia.
  7. Magnesium sulfate causes vascular collapse and paralysis of the respiratory center. Similar to the previous drugs should be used only after anesthesia.

Anastefol is utilized occasionally. Death happens painlessly and almost instantly.

Anastefol is an anesthetic medication. Vital activity ceases when it is administered excessively. Romanova Maria, g., a Moscow-based veterinary surgeon http://www.zoovet.ru/?tid=11&tem=1012072 is the forum.

You should find out the medication that will be used from the veterinarian you spoke with. The method of the pet’s death should be known to the owner before making a choice. You can get in touch with another clinic if you believe the specialist is concealing something.

Advantages and disadvantages of euthanasia in a veterinary clinic

Some cat owners decide to have their pets put to sleep at home.

Occasionally, the decision to put the cat to death at home is made by the owner. However, you are unable to act solely out of selfish desire. Veterinarians strive to save animals’ lives until they pass away, so calling a clinic may be able to save your pet. The physician will also perform all required tests. The owner must make the final decision; the specialist cannot convince the owner. However, the veterinarian will present official records, or certificates, attesting to the necessity of euthanasia. The benefit of this approach is that the owner will have an easier time making it through the process.

Some cat owners have a strong sense of obligation to put their pet to sleep. As a result, they might unconsciously transfer it to the medical professional doing the operation.

However, the individual will also be responsible for transporting the body home. Occasionally, this entails an additional 1.5 hours of emotionally taxing experiences related to a pet’s passing. From a financial standpoint, euthanasia performed in a clinic is somewhat less expensive than the same procedure performed at home because there are no additional costs associated with consulting a specialist (like travel).

What to do with the animal"s body (cremation or burial)

The animal needs to be buried or cremated after being put to sleep. You will need to get ready ahead of time in any of these situations. The body will start to break down, so there won’t be much time. On the day of euthanasia, or the following day, you must bury it. There’s a rush, especially during the summer months.

The cat must be buried in a unique box or coffin, depending on your financial situation.

It is important to choose the right burial site. Some cities have special cemeteries for animals. If there is no such cemetery, you can choose another place (on your site) away from a body of water. It is important to make sure that burying a corpse is not prohibited in the chosen place. You cannot bury a corpse in public places. If you do not want to look at the body, you can cremate it. You can cremate any euthanasia cat if the veterinary clinic has a crematorium. You will have to pay extra for this procedure, but burying the ashes will not be as troublesome. In some clinics, you can leave the body to veterinarians, they themselves cremate it, and then bury it.

Clinics typically offer to leave the body; they make this decision on their own. The URL to the VisitTel forum is Feniks M.NN.ru/t/29137263.

You’ll need both calm surroundings and patience when putting your cat to sleep. Since each cat is unique, what suits one may not suit another. Establishing a routine that makes your cat feel secure and at ease is crucial.

Making a peaceful area and following a regular routine can help make going to bed easier. Your cat may feel more at ease if you give them a favorite blanket or give them some gentle petting.

Recall that the main goal is to ensure your cat feels at ease. You can help your cat get the rest they require by creating a calm environment with the appropriate approach.

Video on the topic

How to euthanize the cat. As if hypnosis.

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Oleg Pashkov

Expert in matters and dietetics for cats and dogs. Studying the composition of feed and the effect of food on the health of pets - a priority area. I select individual diets for different breeds and ages, based on scientific data and many years of experience.

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