How to Comfort a Dying Cat - Managing Your Cat’s Medical Challenges

1. Identify your cat’s health challenges. Your cat may be at the end of her life, but that does not mean that her health challenges should not be addressed. In fact, not addressing her health problems could make her feel even more uncomfortable and speed up her rate of decline.[31] Make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss your cat’s various health challenges and what can be done to manage them.
- If your cat has a terminal illness, such as cancer or chronic kidney disease, develop a plan with your veterinarian to manage and minimize your cat’s discomfort.

2. Minimize your cat’s pain. Depending on your cat’s medical condition, she may be in a lot of pain. When she is dying, you should do what you can to relieve this pain. Your veterinarian can recommend what type of pain medications your cat would need to achieve pain relief.[32]
- Remember that, at this stage in your cat’s life, the pain medication is to make her feel more comfortable, not cure her physical ailments.[33]
- Consider using a pill popper to administer the pain medication if your cat cannot open her mouth on her own.[34] Position the pill popper as you would the medicine dropper. When she opens her mouth, push on the pill popper to dispense the pill down her throat. To stimulate swallowing, give her a few drops of water using your medicine dropper.[35]

3. Manage your cat’s elimination problems. Pain, disease, or general weakness can make it very difficult for your dying cat to make it to the litterbox in time. If your cat has trouble controlling her bladder, your veterinarian may want to prescribe a medication to manage the incontinence.[36]
- Your cat may also have trouble controlling fecal elimination.
- Check your cat regularly for evidence of soiling or wetness.[37] Gently clean her genital and rectal area to prevent urine scald and other skin irritation caused by elimination problems.[38] Clean her with a soft cloth and warm water.
- Disposable cat diapers are also available. If your local pet store does not carry them, you can either search online or ask your veterinarian for recommendations on diapers for your cat.
- Putting a diaper on your cat may be a bit awkward and challenging at first, so you may want to ask your veterinarian about the easiest way of doing it.

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