9 Signs a Cat Is Dying and What To Do

Even when expected, the end of a beloved pet’s life is always devastating. Our pets are a part of our family, and there’s no easy way to process the grief that accompanies their final days. The best thing pet parents can do, for both themselves and their animals, is be prepared.

When a cat reaches the end of their life, certain behaviors and physical symptoms may start to show. By learning the signs that a cat is dying, you can know when it’s time to seek veterinary support to make your cat’s passing as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

What Are the Signs a Cat Is Dying?

The final days of a cat’s life will vary based on the cat and their health history, says Michael Kearley, DVM. So, learning how to know if your cat is dying often comes down to observing your cat and noticing changes in routine and personality. 

Cats nearing the end of their life may have physical symptoms associated with underlying illnesses or old age. They will also show changes in their behavior, often becoming more reclusive, less active, or more affectionate.

Behavioral changes are something only a pet parent will notice, so be sure to contact your vet if your pet is suddenly acting like an entirely different cat. 

Age-related dying symptoms and symptoms of end-stage diseases include behaviors brought on by physical changes.

“I think part of that dying process is when the body starts to shut down, those mental faculties go away,” Dr. Kearley says. “So many of these dying cats are less reactive and responsive.” 

Behaviors that may indicate a dying cat include:

• Reclusiveness or hiding

• Reduced alertness 

• Decline in activity 

• Changes in sleeping patterns

• Increased vocalization

• Abnormal aggression

• Poor grooming

• Loss of appetite 

• Clumsiness

The signs a cat is about to die also include physical symptoms. Contact your vet for evaluation if you notice any of the following:

• Weight loss

• Lethargy

• Sunken eyes

• Respiratory issues 

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Dehydration 

• Low body temperature

What To Do if You Think Your Cat Is Dying

Anyone who’s asking themselves “Is my cat dying?” should immediately “call their family or emergency veterinarian,” says Heather Loenser, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer of Suveto Veterinary Health. 

The above physical symptoms are a clear sign that something is wrong and your cat needs a professional diagnosis. If your vet detects a terminal disease, they will speak to you about the next steps and help you develop an end-of-life plan for your pet. This might include treatment, hospice, palliative care, or humane euthanasia. 

“There’s a lot that pet parents and veterinarians together, in partnership, can have [prepared] ahead of time to make this transition as peaceful as possible,” Dr. Kearley says.

It’s your veterinarian’s job to educate you about the options, but ultimately you decide what steps you’ll take and when. When you’re asking a question as heavy as, “How do I know if my cat is dying?” a vet can support you by discussing your pet’s symptoms and behaviors to help identify whether they’re suffering. 

Changes in behavior often indicate that a cat is feeling pain and discomfort from physical symptoms. If your cat’s quality of life has diminished, your vet may suggest hospice care or humane euthanasia.  

“We want a cat to have as peaceful of a passing as possible, and a good death,” Dr. Kearley says. “That’s what euthanasia is.”

Cat Dying Stages

As pet parents, we all want our cats to experience a peaceful and pain-free death, ideally of natural causes. But cat death is generally most peaceful when brought on by euthanasia.

It’s difficult to imagine choosing to say goodbye when the time comes. But pet parents can take comfort knowing that euthanasia is a quick, pain-free way to end a cat’s suffering at the end of their life.

“Cats should not have to pass through stages of death without veterinary care,” Dr. Loenser says. “Hospice and palliative care veterinary teams can help explain the stages of death for your particular cat.”

During euthanasia, your vet will give your cat medication to help them relax before administering the injection that will bring their life to an end. As the body relaxes, it may twitch or expel feces or urine. Your cat may take a few deep, final breaths before passing. When it’s over, your veterinarian will confirm that your cat has passed by checking for a heartbeat.

Cat death without euthanasia may be more traumatic. Unmedicated death is often accompanied by labored breathing, low body temperature, and an inability to move. This process can be very stressful for the cat and the pet parent, and it may last for many hours.

It’s important to speak with your vet as soon as you notice the first signs that your cat may be dying. Cat stages of death are quicker and more comfortable when you have support from veterinary hospice.