Saying goodbye to our beloved cat is always hard. We consider them as a member of our family, and they are an important part of our household. It’s especially tough when we have to say goodbye because they’re no longer healthy or for some other underlying medical reasons that is out of our control.
This article is designed to help you monitor your cat during its final days so that you can provide any necessary last-minute care before it passes on. It is best for you to familiarize yourself with these 12 signs and symptoms so that you will have a better understanding of the process .
12 Signs of a Dying Cat
1) Changes in Breathing
The signs of a dying cat, the first one being changes in breathing. It is important to remember that all cats have their own unique way of breathing (such as snoring or heavy breathing), and signs of a dying cat could mean many things. There are some signs that you can look for such as a cat breathing rapidly (could be a sign of pain or panting because of heat), a change in the color of their gums, or signs that they are having difficulty breathing.
2) Changes in Eating Habits
It is fairly common for signs of a dying cat to have an appetite for food one day and then not want anything to eat the next. This is because signs of a dying cat might not have an appetite due to pain or could be signs that they are on their way out. Chronic signs of a dying cat can cause trouble eating and result in weight loss, dehydration, hypoglycemia and toxemia which can lead to signs of dehydration (lethargy, weakness, depression).
3) Changes in Activity Level
The signs of a dying cat could mean that your cat is becoming very lethargic and does not want to move around at all. This will affect the signs of a dying cat as he/she won’t be playing or moving around much which can also affect their appetite since they won’t want to move around. Keep in mind signs of a dying cat will also have trouble with their litter box.
4) Signs of Lethargy
If your cat is showing signs or signs or symptoms of extreme lethargy, it could mean that he or she is dying. Although this may not be the first sign in which you notice, it will soon be followed by many other signs and signs of illness.
Manifestation: Lethargy is characterized by a lack of motivation to get up or move around. Your cat may also fail to focus on his environment and surroundings as much as he normally does.
For example, if you call his name or reach out to pet him, he may not respond as quickly or as eagerly as he normally would. In fact, when you touch him, he may even seem apathetic and unresponsive to the point where it seems like he is in a trance-like state.
What to Watch For: Lethargy is one of the signs and symptoms of a dying cat that can be easily overlooked. If left unaddressed, this symptom could worsen to the point where your cat passes away.
As it becomes worse, lethargy will make it increasingly difficult for your cat to perform any necessary body functions (such as eating and drinking). This is why it is imperative that you seek out signs and signs of a dying cat if your pet shows signs or signs or symptoms of lethargy.
It should be noted, however, that this symptom can also develop in response to a particularly stressful situation. For instance, suppose you recently introduced another animal into your home (e.g., a new kitten). If your cat starts to show signs of lethargy, it may be because he or she is stressed out by the presence of the other animal.
In most cases, signs and signs of a dying cat are not caused by simple stress resulting from a change in your lifestyle. Instead, they result from underlying physiological issues such as organ failure or a tumor.
5) Your Cat has Lost Weight Suddenly
In the past few years, more and more cat owners have reported sudden weight loss in their cats. Is this a harmless side effect of aging? Or is it something much worse? Now let’s talk about what may be the real cause for these sudden weight losses, how to spot them early and what you can do if your cat starts losing weight suddenly. According to veterinarians nationwide, many cases of sudden weight loss are not due to old age but instead an underlying illness that needs immediate attention. A common symptom of feline diabetes or kidney disease is extreme thirst followed by excessive urination with little production of urine, which could lead to significant water loss. This lack of fluids causes dehydration from the inside out with potentially fatal consequences like heart failure or kidney failure. Here are some telltale signs of sudden weight loss in cats.
You may also see your cat walking around with a hunched back and dragging his feet which signals weakness or fatigue that could be due to malnutrition, kidney disease or even cancer. Another sure way to detect the onset of these diseases is by monitoring your cat’s appetite. He may have an increased appetite at first but after a while, he may start to lose interest in his food.
Treatment includes proper nutrition and diet management which can be achieved by consulting your doctor or pet nutritionist. Your vet will also look for the possible signs of other diseases that could cause sudden weight loss like feline diabetes and kidney disease.
Running nose, foul breath, and increased water intake are some of the signs that your cat may be in pain. Your vet may possibly run blood tests to check for diseases like kidney or liver damage, pancreatitis, cancer or even gout which could cause this extreme condition. As a pet owner you have all the right reasons to panic but remember that there are a lot of things you can do to prevent your cat from getting these diseases. Prevention is always better than cure. Here’s what you need to do:
Order food in bigger quantities so that it will last for at least one month and restock them regularly. If your feline friend shows an increased appetite, consult your vet immediately. Choose pet foods with proper ingredients that are specifically formulated for your cat’s weight, age and health condition. These contents can help in reducing the risk of diseases caused by sudden weight lost like kidney failure and diabetes. Verify if your cat is showing any symptoms like loss of appetite or lethargy along with other signs such as increased thirst in an effort to screen for diseases like feline diabetes and kidney disease. If you suspect that your cat is showing signs of these diseases, immediately consult your vet for a comprehensive check up. Regular veterinary visits will help you know if there are any changes or abnormalities in your cat’s health which can be detected early before they get worse.
6) Your Cat Coughs and Sneezes very often
Coughing is the most common respiratory sign in cats. In fact, if your cat is a chronic cough sufferer, there’s no need for you to panic as it may be just a light case of coughing that could go away after several weeks. However, if your cat has been coughing for a long time, he could be suffering from pneumonia.
Coughing can also be caused by asthma or chronic bronchitis, both of which may become permanent if not properly treated in time. Aside from coughing, sneezing is another sign that your cat may possess an upper respiratory infection or virus that needs immediate medical attention because it may turn out to be fatal.
7) Your Cat With Diarrhea and/or Constipation
Diarrhea is the most common sign of gastrointestinal (GI) distress in cats because it can easily result from eating a diet that’s too rich or from stress due to travel, change in routine, etc. Other causes of diarrhea in cats could be the result of infectious diseases, ingestion of indigestible materials like plants and litter clumps, or even certain medications.
The first step in treating diarrhea is to stop giving your cat his meds which may have caused it. Bring him to a vet immediately if you want it dealt with properly because the longer you delay, the harder it is to correct the problem.
Diarrhea can also be a sign that your cat has irritable bowel disease, so he may need special food which could also help alleviate his other symptoms such as weight loss and chronic gas. Constipation, on the other hand, can be caused by certain medications like steroids or by diseases like diabetes and kidney failure.
8) Your Cat has Bad Odor
Have you noticed foul odor coming from your cat’s ears, mouth or nose? If so, it could be due to an ear or tooth infection. Sores in your cat’s mouth may also be a sign of periodontal disease and if these are not treated timely, he could have other problems such as severe tooth loss. If your cat is suffering from a bad odor, take him to the vet immediately.
9) Your Cat Has Stopped Using His Litter Box
Cats will stop using their litter box for several reasons: they can be too full of urine or stool, they have an offensive smell or there’s some other reason that causes them discomfort when they go there. This could be due to a constipation or an impaction, urinary tract infection or even pain in their pelvic region.
10) Your Cat Has Swollen Glands
Your cat’s swollen glands could be a sign of infection, inflammation or cancer.
Swelling of your pet’s face may occur when his glands are infected, producing an inflammation that blocks them from draining the lymph fluid which leads to swelling
It is important to take your cat to the vet as soon as you notice any swelling that doesn’t go away within a few days because if left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening conditions like septicemia or feline leukemia virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Having your cat examined by the vet will help you know if there is something that needs to be done and what medications will best treat it.
11) Your cat has stopped Grooming
Although they are independent animals, cats do like to spend some time with their owners. If your cat has stopped grooming himself, it could be a sign that he is sick or unhappy and needs immediate attention if he won’t eat his food and keeps on hiding in some corner of the house. This behavior may also mean that your kitty might need you to groom him.
12) Your Cat has Has Stopped or Reduced His Drinking
Cats are very particular about their water supply and will never drink out of a nasty source that may contain germs and bacteria like standing water from a lake, river, sewer or puddle where they could become sick with Leptospirosis, a serious bacterial disease. If your kitty has stopped or reduced his drinking, take him to the vet at once because it could potentially be fatal for cats.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you to identify some signs that your cat may be dying and what you can do now. If any of those above symptoms continue, or you have noticed other changes in behavior from your pet, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian for an assessment.
Remember, these are 12 possible signs and symptoms of a deathly ill feline so keep an eye out!
If the time comes when they pass on naturally, we would like to offer our condolences.
