How to look after your pet in the last days of its life

It's terribly difficult to say goodbye to your beloved kitten, but it's important that at the end of its time with you, it has everything it needs to ease her move to kitty heaven.

Whether it’s the discovery that your pet is seriously ill, or the age of the cat that means it doesn’t have much longer to live, it’s heartbreaking to realise that your beloved cat’s life is coming to an end. The period ahead will not be easy, but as an owner you must be strong and do your best to ensure that the animal receives the best possible care. The death of a cat is something you may never be prepared for – but you have to try.

How do you know it’s time?

You may ask yourself how you know it’s time. And the answer is easier than you think: your cat will tell you. As your pet’s owner, you know it best, so you’ll notice immediately if it doesn’t behave or move like it used to. Here’s how you can make your cat’s last days and weeks as comfortable as possible.

A quiet haven

Ensure the cat has peace. If you’re a busy household, create a sanctuary for it in a quieter room of your home – where you can snuggle up next to it if you like. A soft bed, with tasty snacks and fresh water nearby, an easily accessible litter box and your reassuring presence and caresses are all a big help.

Talk to the vet

Always consult a vet. You may have more time together than you thought, but it could also be that the kitty’s days are filled with misery and you’re doing more harm by not wanting to let it go just yet. Consider the following to be able to tell a professional what condition your pet is in:

• Can it still get up, walk and sit on its own?
• Are there toilet accidents?
• Still interested in games?
• Can it see/hear properly?
• Does it spend more time hiding, alone, than with you?

Euthanasia is one of the hardest decisions an owner has to make, but sometimes it really is the biggest favour you can do for your cat.

Don’t forget about yourself

It’s important to recognise and accept that the knowledge that you are losing your beloved pet is a heavy emotional burden. You may need emotional support and help with the grieving process. The loss of a pet is the loss of a family member. You don’t have to be tough if you can’t. You don’t have to stifle the crying if you feel like it wants to burst out of you. But more importantly, you must not abandon yourself despite the pain. Your cat needs you, wants to see more of your smile, wants to cuddle up to you – be there with it.

If you feel you can’t cope on your own, there are a number of support groups that can help you cope with the loss of your pet. There is absolutely no shame in asking for help when you need it!

Keep the memory alive

Your cat may soon be gone, but you still have time to to make memories together. If it never let you to hang the clothes to dry without pawing at your socks, put its bed on top of the washing machine while you unload it. Little things like this mean a lot to your cat, and give you a chance to reminisce a little.

It’s also okay if you want to get rid of anything that reminds you of it after it’s gone. Just as it’s perfectly understandable if you keep one or two important items. Whatever the way of how you process grief, let yourself do it. And no, it’s not embarrassing at all if you wallpaper every surface of your entire apartment with photos of you together. Do what makes you feel the best!

Don’t forget the others

In many cases the loss of the cat will not only be a huge loss for you. Other family members, friends and other pets should also be given the opportunity to say goodbye. Your cat will get lots of love from them too; in its last days, all it needs is to feel how important it was to its family.