How to understand that a cat will soon die, what to do and how to bury it correctly?

One of the hardest things that can happen to a pet owner is when their beloved cat passes away. It can be challenging to discern when a cat’s time is running out because they frequently conceal their suffering. You can better prepare yourself emotionally and ensure your cat has the most comfortable final days by being aware of the warning signs of their decline.

A cat may be nearing death if its behavior changes, such as if it becomes more withdrawn from people or loses interest in activities that it once enjoyed. A decrease in appetite, excessive sleeping, and labored breathing are additional indicators of a sick cat. During this delicate time, being aware of what to look for will help you respond with consideration and care.

It’s crucial to be with your cat and provide comfort when the time comes, but you should also think about what needs to be done in their wake. Saying goodbye includes deciding how to bury or cremate your pet, and doing so with respect. We’ll walk you through the steps so you can meaningfully celebrate your cat’s life.

Why cats die?

Cat deaths can result from both physiological and pathological processes. While it is occasionally possible to save the animal in the first scenario, all efforts will be in vain and the cat will eventually die in the second.

A person’s course of action is determined by determining the cause of the situation if it becomes apparent that the cat is dying. Is it right to allow a tailed pet to peacefully pass away, or is it necessary to save him?

A newborn kitten is dying: what is the reason and what to do?

Newborn kitten deaths are not unusual. Several things determine whether they die:

  • a large number of fetuses;
  • unreasonable interference of the cat"s owner in the birth process;
  • low weight of the babies;
  • prematurity;
  • a conflict between the blood group of the baby and the mother;
  • genetic characteristics of the breed;
  • diseases of the four-legged mother;
  • intrauterine developmental anomalies;
  • hypothermia;
  • low blood sugar;
  • dehydration;
  • complicated or first birth;
  • unsuitable conditions for the development of a newborn kitten;
  • improper nutrition of the mother;
  • infections.

The owner’s only option for saving the kittens from death is:

  • create conditions for their life – the babies must be in a warm, dry, clean room, in which there are no drafts;
  • take on the function of feeding the cubs if the mother refuses to do this;
  • feed the new mother with special food that regulates the fat content of milk;
  • regularly check the cat with a veterinarian to identify and eliminate signs of disease;
  • do not touch the crumbs without washing your hands with soap;
  • select a female and male for mating with the same blood type.

Injuries incompatible with life

Aside from instances where these animals are abused, cats may sustain injuries from falls from great heights that render them incapable of continuing their lives. Typically, cats in high-rise buildings fall out of their apartments’ windows. We call this phenomenon high-altitude syndrome.

If the pet doesn’t have enough time to gather itself during the flight and land on its paws, it may suffer from one of the following severe injuries, which can lead to the animal’s death:

  • fractures of the lower jaw and distal femur;
  • violation of the integrity of the bones in the forearms;
  • spinal fracture and, as a result, paresis of the pelvic limbs and complete paralysis.

When an animal falls from a great height, almost all of them experience shock. Usually, significant blood loss is the cause of this.

Diseases of internal organs

Typically, a cat will die from one of the internal organ diseases listed below:

  • Urolithiasis. According to statistics, this is the most common cause of death of these animals, even at an early age.
  • Rabies, which affects the central nervous system.
  • Feline immunodeficiency virus, which leads to a disruption of the immune system.
  • Infectious peritonitis (inflammation of the serous membrane of the peritoneum).
  • Infectious enteritis (chronic inflammatory process in the small intestine).
  • Panleukopenia, affecting the digestive and respiratory organs, heart.

A cat can pass away from any illness. The animal may even pass away from a fungal infection or ear mites if treatment is not received.

Tumors

Usually, a cat dies from metastasis—a condition caused by delayed treatment—rather than the tumor itself. Every owner of a pet that has a malignant tumor should be aware of how these dangerous diseases present themselves because, in most cases, the pet can be saved by beginning treatment right away.

Death from old age

All animals eventually pass away from old age. An aging pet’s death is inevitable; all you can do is extend its life and lessen its suffering when the time comes for it to pass away. It is hard to know with certainty when a cat will pass away. Cats’ life expectancy is influenced by a variety of factors, including breed, living situation, diet, and the owner’s level of attention to their four-legged companion’s health. By considering the aforementioned factors, it is possible to considerably postpone the animal’s moment of death.

Possible causes of sudden death

Usually, you can detect the impending arrival of this tragic event well in advance of your pet’s passing through a variety of distinct symptoms. Occasionally, though, an animal may have been active, content to eat the food provided by a loving owner, and exhibit normal behavior before passing away unexpectedly. To reliably determine why this occurred, only an autopsy will be helpful. The most likely cause of a tailed friend’s unexpected demise was a heart attack or stroke. A banal poisoning may cause the heart to malfunction.

Multiple pregnancies in cats can cause heart failure, which ultimately results in their quick death. Heart issues may run in families.

How can an owner understand that the animal will soon die?

How can one comprehend that the animal will expire soon? The indications listed below will assist in determining when the cat’s death is imminent:

  • Change in eating behavior. A dying animal partially or completely loses interest in food. The food in the cat"s bowl is increasingly left untouched. When only a few hours remain before death, the pet refuses water. Due to the refusal of food, the cat stops defecating (sometimes blood can be found in the feces), and the urine darkens.
  • Apathy, lethargy, decreased motor activity. Like a dying person, a cat feels bad on the eve of death, it is weakened and sleeps a lot or just lies with its eyes open.

  • Breathing problems. In the last days of life, the pet"s heart stops working normally, this leads to the fact that the delivery of oxygen to all organs, including the lungs, is disrupted. As a result, the cat breathes often and heavily. A dying cat has shortness of breath.
  • Lower heart rate and blood pressure. On the eve of death, the animal"s pulse slows down, blood pressure drops.
  • Specific smell. This is the main symptom of the imminent death of a cat. At the moment of the end of life, the work of the pet"s internal organs is disrupted, which leads to the fact that toxins are removed from the body only partially or not removed at all. Toxic substances, accumulating in the cat"s body, provoke the appearance of a sharp putrid odor from the mouth and from the cat"s body.
  • A decrease in body temperature. At the same time, the pads of the cat"s paws become cold.

The reason this occurs largely determines how cats die. Sensing their impending death, elderly pets spend more time with family members and curl up on their owners’ laps. An animal fades in three stages: biological death, agony, and pre-agony.

What to do if alarming symptoms appear, how to alleviate the cat"s condition?

Not every owner of a dying pet acts appropriately in this circumstance. The owner ought to take actions that will lessen his suffering. We have to exert every effort to ensure that the cat has the comfiest final hours of its life.

In order to accomplish this, we must give her a cozy and soft spot to sleep, and we must frequently replace the cat’s bed with a new one. We must cover the bed with a disposable diaper and change it on time if an elderly animal is unable to control their urination and defecation. Every three to four hours, you should carry your tired cat to the tray if it is unable to reach it on its own. It is preferable to place food and water bowls close to the animal companion.

You must give the cat every quiet moment and space if it chooses to withdraw. Spend as much time as you can petting and talking to it kindly if it curls up with its owner more than usual. When an animal is in great pain, the issue of euthanasia may come up. There’s no reason to put it to sleep if it’s not suffering.

Why do many cats, feeling the approach of death, leave home?

When they sense their demise, some animals flee their homes. Why do they act in this manner? Before they die in the wild, cats seek seclusion because, as they age, they are unable to protect themselves from predators. They locate a quiet area where they pass away quietly. Domesticated animals still have this inclination. If they are unable to leave the house, they attempt to hide from prying eyes by hiding behind furniture or in a closet.

How to make sure that your pet is dead?

You must ensure that a cat is dead before burying it. Several indicators can be used to determine this:

  • lack of breathing;
  • the state of the pupils (if they do not react to light, then the pet is dead);
  • relaxed muscles that do not respond to external stimuli;
  • grin;
  • rigor mortis (the cat"s corpse begins to stiffen a few hours after all processes in the body have ceased).

Also see: causes of rickets in adult cats and kittens, disease symptoms and pictures, and animal treatment

How to bury a pet, can it be reburied?

Pet owners who lose a loved one must choose how to bury their tail. In the event that the cat’s owner chose to put it to sleep, the vet will offer to bury it naturally, or more accurately, to cremate it. In other situations, you will need to get in touch with a veterinary specialist and follow his instructions in order to bury a cat.

It is illegal in Russia to bury animals in the ground. Animal and bird corpses are considered biological waste and are disposed of in compliance with the Russian Federation’s Chief State Veterinary Inspector’s Dec. 4, 1994, No. 13-7-2/469 order. Corpses are burned and disinfected in accordance with this order.

Certain municipalities have designated areas specifically for pet burial. The owner must provide a vest for form No. 4 in order to bury the pet in one of these cemeteries. The animal will be buried without being burned after its body has been autopsied, the cause of death ascertained, and if an infection was not the cause of death. If not, the body will first be cremated, cleaned, and then buried.

Reburying a pet is not legal and cannot be done so. A loving owner who burying his deceased pet in the yard or forest park area is breaking the law and could be fined 5,000 rubles.

Is it true that cats sense the death of a person, how do they behave at the same time?

"Can a pet sense my death?" is a question that some cat owners ponder over. Members of the feline family are thought to possess this talent and be able to detect trouble in the atmosphere. The animal spends a lot of time close to the owner, becomes agitated and occasionally aggressive, and runs around the house aimlessly. Certain cats may experience depression.

Signs a cat may be dying What to do and how to bury
Lack of appetite and weight loss Keep your cat comfortable, offer favorite foods
Decreased energy and sleepiness Provide a quiet space, avoid loud noises
Breathing difficulties or shallow breaths Ensure vet care for pain relief and comfort
Hiding or seeking solitude Spend time with your cat, offer gentle affection
Changes in grooming or fur condition After death, wrap the body in a soft cloth
Unresponsive or disoriented Bury in a safe, peaceful spot or consult a vet for cremation

One of the most difficult situations a pet owner can encounter is dealing with the death of a cherished cat. Cats may exhibit subtle symptoms such as changes in appetite, energy levels, and behavior as their lives draw to an end. Knowing these symptoms can assist you in making emotional preparations and ensuring your cat has the greatest level of comfort during their final days.

It is imperative to seek advice from a veterinarian as soon as you notice these symptoms. They can assist in determining whether your cat is getting close to the end of their life and provide advice on how to comfort and manage pain. It’s a trying time, but you can both have a more peaceful transition if you concentrate on your cat’s welfare and spend time with them.

You will need to decide whether to have your loved one buried or cremated when the time comes to say goodbye, whether it be by euthanasia or natural death. You can honor your pet in a polite manner with either of these options. If you decide to bury your cat, make sure you pick a quiet area and abide by any local laws. Many cremation services allow you to spread or keep your cat’s ashes if that’s your preference.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to keep in mind the affection and happiness your feline brought into your existence. Even though it’s never easy, you can find some solace in the knowledge that you led a loving and caring life for them.

Knowing when a beloved cat is approaching the end of its life can help you prepare and offer comfort in its final days. Losing a beloved cat is an extremely emotional experience. Nearing death, cats frequently exhibit sluggishness, cease eating or drinking, and sometimes even seek out isolation. To make sure your pet is not in pain, it’s critical to create a calm, stress-free environment and, if required, seek veterinary advice. When the time comes, you have the option of cremating your cat so that you can say goodbye in a dignified and loving manner, or you can choose to bury them at home in accordance with local customs.

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Maxim Kovalev

Veterinarian with many years of experience. Main interest is the prevention and treatment of diseases in cats and dogs. I constantly share proven tips for caring for the health of pets to help avoid common problems and maintain their excellent health.

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