How to Know if Your Cat Is Dying (& When to Say Goodbye)

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Cat veterinarian Brian Bourquin, DVM breaks down the signs to look out for

Co-authored by Brian Bourquin, DVM and Eric McClure

Last Updated: March 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Signs
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• Making Your Cat Comfortable
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• Determining if It’s Time
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• Practical Considerations
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• FAQs
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• How Can I Help My Cat Breathe Easier?
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• Video
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• Tips

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It’s important to know if your cat is in the process of dying because it will help inform the decision surrounding when to euthanize them. As painful as this process is, it’s important to do what’s best for your cat, so monitoring signs of dying is essential. To help us understand what to look out for, we met with Brian Bourquin, DVM, a cat veterinarian with over 19 years of experience treating and working with cats.

How Do I Know If My Cat Is Dying?

Cat veterinarian Brian Bourquin, DVM explains that anything out of the ordinary is worth investigating as a potential sign. Cats are creatures of habit, so if something is suddenly strange about their behavior, see a vet. He points out that common, but serious, signs to look out for include:

• A loss of appetite.
• Hiding, or avoiding you.
• Trouble using their litter box.
• Lethargy.
• Weight loss.

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Section 1 of 5:

Signs a Cat is Dying

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   Reclusiveness and hiding In the wild, a dying cat understands that it is more vulnerable to predators, so it seeks out a place where it can pass away in peace. A cat who is dying may instinctively hide in an out-of-the-way room, under furniture, or somewhere outside.

   • Cats will hide their pain. Cat veterinarian Brian Bourquin, DVM, explains: “Cats, unlike dogs, are prey creatures in the wild... So a cat is going to hide signs of sickness. So you need to be very astute.”

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Brian Bourquin, DVM is a veterinarian and the owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, and dentistry.
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   Lethargy A dying cat will be noticeably less active and interested in moving around. They may even refuse to chase after their favorite toy, or stop jumping up on the windowsill they used to hang out on.
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   Loss of appetite and thirst It is very common for cats to stop eating and drinking toward the end of their lives. Notice whether your cat's food and water dish seem to always be full. Your cat may also exhibit physical signs of anorexia, such as a wasted look from losing weight, loose skin, and sunken eyes.

   • Check the cat's waste as well. A cat who is no longer eating or drinking will have lower output and darker urine.
   • This is a major sign that something serious is wrong. Dr. Bourquin points out that cats are obligate carnivores, and they won’t ignore food when they’re hungry. “If a cat is not eating, that could be a sign of something much more serious than just a behavior issue.”
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   Refusal to use the litter box As the cat weakens, they may have low or no control over their urinary tract and bowels, so you may notice accidents around the house. They may also be too lethargic or tired to make the trip from whatever room they’re in to go to the litter box.

   • You may also see blood in your cat’s urine or feces, too.
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   Weight loss With a loss of appetite comes a loss of weight. It can be hard to know how much your cat is eating if you don’t measure it out every day, but you’ll be able to feel them getting smaller when you cuddle or pet them.
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   Abnormal behavior This usually takes the form of aggression, since a cat who isn’t feeling well will tend to assume it needs to defend itself more firmly. However, depending on the underlying health issue, a dying cat may just act strangely. They might meow at nothing, hop around abnormally, move their head a lot, or do all kinds of strange things they normally wouldn’t do.

   • Any new behavior should be investigated. Even if it’s something cute or innocuous, veterinarians still say it needs to be looked at. Dr. Bourquin says, “Basically anything that is not status quo for Mr. Kitty is a sign that there could be something going on.”
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   Poor grooming Given all the things going on in a dying cat’s body, grooming behaviors will begin to take a back seat. They’ll stop licking themselves and using their forepaws as much as they used to. You may notice more knots or matted hair as a result.
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   Low heartbeat A lowered heart rate is a sign that the cat may be getting weaker and nearing death. A healthy cat's heart rate is between 140 and 220 beats per minute (bpm). A very sick or weak cat's heart rate may drop to a fraction of the normal rate, indicating death could be near. Here is how to measure your cat's heart rate:

   • Place your hand over your cat's left side, right behind their front leg.
   • Use a stopwatch or your smartphone to count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds.
   • Multiply the number by four to get the heart rate beats per minute. Assess whether the bpm is at a healthy or below-normal level.
   • A very weak cat's blood pressure will drop as well, but this can't be measured without special equipment.
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   Trouble breathing A healthy cat takes between 20 and 30 breaths per minute. If a cat's heart has become weak, the lungs operate less effectively, and less oxygen is pumped into the bloodstream. This causes rapid breathing as the cat struggles for oxygen, followed by slow, labored breathing as the lungs fill with fluid and breathing becomes very difficult. Monitor your cat's breathing in the following way:

   • Sit near your cat and quietly listen to their breathing. Watch their abdomen rise and fall with each breath.
   • Use a stopwatch or your smartphone to count how many breaths they take in 60 seconds.
   • If they are breathing quite rapidly and heavily, or if they seem to be taking very few breaths, they may be close to the end.
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    Low temperature A healthy cat's temperature is between 100–102.5 °F (37.8–39.2 °C). A cat nearing death will typically have a lower body temperature. As the heart weakens, the body temperature begins to drop below 100. You can check your cat's temperature in the following ways:

    • Use a thermometer. If you have an ear thermometer, take your cat's temperature in his ear. If not, you can use a digital rectal thermometer to take the temperature of pets. Set the thermometer, insert it about 1 inch into the cat's rectum, and wait for it to beep to learn the temperature.
    • If you don't have a thermometer, feel their paws. If they're cool to the touch, this could be a sign that his heart is slowing down.
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    Strange odors When a cat's organs begin to shut down, toxins build up in the body and cause a bad smell. If your cat is near death, their breath and body may have a foul odor that gets worse and worse over time, since they have no way of eliminating toxins. This can also be a side effect of their inability ot continue grooming themselves, too.
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    Vomiting or diarrhea As a cat’s system begins to shut down, strange things can happen with their ability to digest or process food. This can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or both. In some cases, it can also lead to constipation.
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    Take your cat to the vet. If you notice any signs that your cat is ill, take them to the vet right away. Many of the signs of imminent death are also signs of severe illness that could be cured with proper treatment. Don't assume that because your cat exhibits these signs, they are definitely about to die; there could still be hope.

    • For example, chronic kidney disease is common among older cats. The symptoms of the disease are very similar to end-of-life symptoms. With proper intervention, however, a cat with chronic kidney disease could live for many years.
    • Cancer, lower urinary tract disease, and diabetes are also examples of potentially curable problems with symptoms similar to those of a cat who is dying.
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Section 2 of 5:

Making Your Cat Comfortable

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   Consult with your vet about end-of-life care. Once it has been determined that medical intervention will not significantly prolong your cat's life, you'll want to |talk with your vet about how to make your cat as comfortable as possible in their final days. Depending on your cat's symptoms, the vet may provide a prescription for pain medication, equipment to help them eat and drink, or bandages and salve to dress a wound.

   • Many owners are now turning to "home hospice care" to ease their pets' passing. The owners provide round-the-clock care to keep their pets healthy and comfortable for as long as possible.
   • If you don't feel comfortable administering a certain form of treatment, you might be able to set up frequent appointments with your vet to get your cat the care they need.
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   Provide a soft, warm bed. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a cat who is nearing the end of his life is provide a warm, cozy place to rest. At this point, your cat probably isn't moving around very much, so they’re probably spending most of their time in their bed. You can make his favorite place to sleep more comfortable by providing extra soft blankets.

   • Make sure your cat's bedding is kept clean. Wash the blankets every couple of days in hot water. Don't use a highly perfumed detergent, since this could be irritating to your cat.
   • If your cat is experiencing incontinence, line the bed with towels that you can easily change out each time your cat urinates.
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   Help your cat eliminate comfortably. Sometimes cats have trouble making it to the litter box to relieve themselves normally. If your cat is too weak to get up, you may have to carry them to the litter box every few hours. Talk with your vet about getting a sling for your cat to help her eliminate more comfortably.
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   Monitor your cat's pain level. Your cat may be in severe pain even if they don’t cry or flinch when you touch them. Cats exhibit pain more quietly, but with careful observation, you should be able to tell when they are having a hard time. Look for the following signs of suffering:

   • The cat is acting more reclusive than usual.
   • The cat is panting or struggling for breath.
   • The cat shows reluctance to move.
   • The cat is eating or drinking even less than usual.
   • The cat is hiding from you or avoiding contact.
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   Decide whether euthanasia is appropriate. The decision to euthanize a cat is never an easy one. Many cat owners would prefer to allow their pets to die naturally at home instead. However, if your cat's suffering becomes extreme, you may decide that euthanizing him is the more humane choice. Call your vet to help you decide when the time has come.

   • If you choose euthanasia, the vet will administer a sedative followed by a medication that causes him or her to pass away peacefully. The process is painless and takes between 10 and 20 seconds. You may choose to stay in the room with your pet or wait outside.
   • Should I euthanize at home? A lot of people are uncomfortable with this, and that’s totally fine. Nobody wants to associate their home with grief. That said, the argument for home euthanasia is that your cat deserves to spend their final day at home where they’re most comfortable. There’s no right or wrong answer here, so do what’s right to you.
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Assess if It’s Time to Say Goodbye

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   Ask yourself if they’re having more good days than bad days. You know your cat better than anyone else. You know what they enjoy, what toys they play with, where they like to snooze in the sun, all of that. A “good” day is a day when they get to do those things. A “bad” day is a day when they’re in too much pain or too tired to engage in those activities.

   • Start keeping a calendar to track this. Literally count the good and bad days as they happen. You can even come up with a rubric for your cat and assign scores for each day to get a better picture.
   • Assessing your cat’s behavior is essential. Dr. Bourquin explains, “You’ve got to listen to their language. Cats are not the secretive creatures that [you see] in pictures and cartoons. They'll tell you through their behavior. Signs like going outside of the litter box are a telltale sign they aren’t happy.”
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   Fill out a quality of life assessment. Your vet should have something like this, but you can also find really good assessments online, too. These are a great way to try and introduce some science to the process. By assigning scores to each element of your cat’s daily life and then comparing it against the scale, you’ll get a much fuller picture of whether euthanasia is appropriate or not.
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   Use the quality of life scale vets use to inform the decision. The HHHHHMM scale is a specific quality of life scale used by many veterinarians to determine whether or not euthanasia may be an appropriate step. HHHHHMM is an acronym that stands for:

   • Hurt. Is your cat in pain? Are they breathing okay? Does pain medication work?
   • Hunger. Are they eating normally? Do they seem interested in food?
   • Hydration. Are they drinking water?
   • Hygiene. Are they using their litter box? Are they cleaning their fur?
   • Happiness. Do they play? Are they engaged with you? Do they enjoy cuddle time?
   • Mobility. Are they able to move around on their own?
   • More good days than bad. We covered this one above.
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   Talk it out with your loved ones. It is totally okay if you don’t know whether it’s time or not. It’s not like your cat can tell you verbally what they want to do. If you co-own the cat with a partner, discuss the issue with them. Otherwise, ask your best friend or favorite family member about what they think you should do. This should give you a better sense for how you feel.

   • If you are not sure it’s time to say goodbye, don’t. You have to live with your decision here, and nobody knows whether your cat is happy or not better than you. Your cat would happily hang around a few “extra” days if it means you get to be positive that it’s time to say goodbye.
   • Ask your cat’s veterinarian what they think, too. A lot of times, a vet won’t give you a direct answer to avoid legal liability, but they’ll usually tell you what they’d do in your shoes if you ask politely.
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Section 4 of 5:

Handling the End

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   Take care of your cat's remains. If your cat dies at home, it's important to store the body in a cool place until you're able to proceed with cremation or burial plans. This ensures that the body won't deteriorate or become a hazard to your family's health. Wrap the cat carefully in plastic (such as a plastic bag) and store the body in a cool place, such as a freezer or on a cold concrete floor. If your cat is euthanized, the vet will properly store the body for you.
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   Decide between cremation and burial. If you would like to have your cat cremated, talk with your vet about options in your area. If you would prefer to bury your cat, research local pet cemeteries where you can have your cat interred.

   • In some states it is legal to bury your pet on your property, while in other places it is not legal. Before deciding where to bury your pet, research your local laws.
   • It is illegal to bury your cat in a public park or other public land.
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   Consider grief counseling after the death of your pet. The death of a pet can be extremely difficult. It's normal to feel deep sadness once your pet has passed away. Make an appointment with a grief counselor who specializes in helping people who have lost pets. Your veterinarian may be able to refer you to a qualified counselor.
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Section 5 of 5:

FAQs

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   If my cat is dying, how long will it take? It depends on the underlying issue, but there are two phases. The first phase, pre-active dying, is going to last as long as the underlying condition takes to trigger the second phase, active dying. Here are the general timelines:

   • Pre-active (early) dying will typically last a few weeks. It’s the process where the underlying condition, like cancer or kidney disease, shifts from underlying to terminal. You’ll start seeing potentially minor signs, like less interest in playtime or the occasional urination near (but not in) the litter box.
   • Active (late) dying will take a few hours or a couple of days. This is when a cat’s body is in the process of shutting down. You’ll see more serious signs like trouble breathing, hiding, refusal to eat, etc.
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   Do cats drool before death? Not often, but sudden drooling is a medical emergency. Regular drooling when they’re in a good mood is actually a good sign in cats, but sudden drooling is not. There are some conditions that can cause a cat to start drooling (like gingivitis), but this could also be a sign that your cat is poisoned or having a serious allergic reaction.

   • If your cat is acting totally normal otherwise and they haven’t been diagnosed with a condition, the drooling is probably a sign that they’re happy.
   • If your cat paws at their mouth or behaves oddly in any way whatsoever while drooling, see a vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.
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Tips

• Abdominal cancer is an unhappily common thing in older cats. Keep an eye on any sudden changes in weight, especially if the cat has been eating less but still has a swollen, firm belly. Tumours can also sometimes press on nerves or the spine and affect a cat's ability to manage their hind legs, tail, and toileting.
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• Be sure to consult with your vet at the first sign of illness in your cat. It is possible that medical intervention could significantly extend your cat's life.
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• If your cat tries to pee and can't, take them straight to a vet, because this can be very dangerous for any cat.
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