It’s my cat’s last night and he’s sitting uncomfortably on the coffee table; does he want to be left alone?

Hi, I have to euthanize my cat tomorrow night and it’s my last night with him. He’s sitting (or sphynxing as some people call it)uncomfortably on the coffee table (he’s dying of kidney disease) and I’m wondering if I should pick him up and put him on my lap or let him be…my aunt said that animals are different when they’re dying in that they want to be left alone…he seems like he might be in pain…I feel like I should give him quality time but he’s sitting there not coming to me…should I pick him up or leave him alone, what should I do?

He won’t be euthanized until tomorrow after 6pm. Should I still give him sub-q fluids so he won’t feel dehydrated? He hardly feels the pinch anymore when he gets sub-q’s…and he suffers from bad stomach acid and people have told me to just leave him alone and not force feed him medicine…but I think he would feel better…can I handle him and give him stuff that might make him feel better?

Thank you to all those who answered my previous question on how to cope…I really appreciate the support and kindness!

{ 8 comments }

Blue October July 30, 2010 at 12:43 pm

pick him up gently and put in him bed with you…see if he will sleep with you on his last nite….
i am sorry for your loss….

good luck :) and remember all the wonderful times with him.

Shelly July 30, 2010 at 1:31 pm

your aunt is right a lot of times animals know when theyre dying and will go off by themselves we had a dog that we never let lick our face but when we were taking her to be euthenized she licked our faces like she knew. I wouldnt really move the cat but that doesnt mean you cant spend time with it and pet it where it is.

Lynn July 30, 2010 at 2:12 pm

Please dont do anything unless the vet has told you to. It is true that cats like to die in peace, away from their loved ones. They usually lurk off and hide when they feel it is their time. Picking him up will make him feel worse, especially with kidney disease. Try to call a 24 hour vet and see if you can get him some pain relievers, or even if you could put him to sleep tonight (if you feel like he is really in pain and dying). It would be best for him. I am really very sorry. Maybe just try to pet his head and be there for him, and just see how he reacts. Sorry. Good Luck

Elaine M July 30, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Do anything you can to make him feel better. Sub-Q fluids definately.

If he’s uncomfortable at being held, you can certainly spend time petting him and brushing him, anything that he would enjoy. Talk to him too.

I’m sorry for you, it’s never easy going through this. Give him what he likes, let him know you love him. If he’s not up for touch, you can still rub his chin or side of his face.

SEM July 30, 2010 at 3:01 pm

Yes hold him and let him know that you love him and that you care. You are a very compassionate person. I know it’s hard to see something you have loved for a long time pass away.
Try to make him and yourself as comfortable as possible. If you think that the medicine will make him be in less pain then by all means do it. You know him more than any one else does. Make his last day on earth a little less painful. What would you want and how do you want to be treated. The Bible says that a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: Proverbs 12:10

Judy W July 30, 2010 at 3:04 pm

Go to him. You have made the tough decision now all you need to do is love him. Find him place he can be comfortable and cuddle up with him, Go ahead and give him the fluids it is a long time till 6pm. There is nothing wrong with making him comfortable. This is your time do what you think is best. If you want to snuggle him go ahead. Just because he may be in pain does not mean that love from you is unwanted. I held my cat Varmint as he died from kidney failure and we snuggled to the end. As he died he was purring and kneading like a kitten. I still cherish all the moments we had.

fizzy1490 July 30, 2010 at 3:34 pm

If he’s dying, don’t pick him up. But go near him. Pet him and tell him how much you miss him. I’m terribly sorry about it.

If it helps, pray for him. Offer an action. Miracles can happen. Offering an action to god might help you with a miracle. Holding out hope for a miracle might make come true.

I think that maybe you should give him the medicine, but don’t force it. The medicine might make him feel better.

harlequinn1 July 30, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Animals – cats in particular – usually won’t show that they’re in pain until it’s so painful that they have to cry out. I would think that kidney disease would be pretty painful for your cat, and he will know best which position is most comfortable and the least painful for him. If you pick him up, you may be hurting him without knowing it.

I would definitely do what I could to stay close to him and let him know he’s loved. But unless he comes to you and wants to be held, I would let him find his own comfort-level so he’s in the least pain possible.

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