Euthanasia

Since the cat may well have been a much-loved member of the family, it is not surprising that many owners go through a very real period of mourning when the cat dies. The decision to have a cat put to sleep may be inevitable.

How do I know if the time has come for my cat to be put to sleep?
Most vets and cat owners would agree that it is not the length of a cat's life that is of prime concern, but the quality of its life. There is obviously no necessity to put down all cats at a certain age because they are old - different cats will age at different rates. There are plenty of sixteen-year-old cats around that still behave like kittens. Similarly, there is no need to put a cat to sleep simply because a terminal condition such as cancer has been diagnosed - the cat may well be able to live several more happy months before life becomes a misery. If your cat is very old or unwell, you must decide whether he or she is still getting any enjoyment out of life or whether you are just prolonging life to avoid having to make a difficult decision or because you cannot bear to parted with your pet. Do not be afraid to discuss the matter with your vet. He or she will be happy to offer advice - but remember, you are the person living with your cat, you are in the best position to judge the quality of life your cat is having, and only you can make the final decision when the time comes.

It may be necessary to put a cat to sleep that has a severe behavioral problem, such as severe incontinence, that makes it unsuitable as a pet. There is a limit to the inconvenience that any owner can be expected to tolerate, particularly if the cat is posing a health hazard. It is not wise to re-home a cat with behavioral problems unless the new owner is fully aware of the nature of the problem and is confident of being able to cope.
An even more difficult decision may have to be made if the owner of a cat is no longer able to keep a pet, perhaps due to a change of accommodation or moving overseas. It can be very difficult to re-home an adult cat, and many older cats do not adapt at all well to a change of home. Euthanasia may be the only alternative, but it is always unpleasant to have to put a healthy animal to sleep.

How can I tell if my cat is in pain?
It is impossible to measure what pain any animal is feeling when unwell - we can only look at the nature of its disease and the way the animal is behaving and make a subjective judgment of what it must be feeling. A cat may make obvious signs, such as growling or screaming when certain parts of its body are touched, to show that it is in pain. Or it may display symptoms that must be unpleasant for it, such as repeated vomiting. In fact, cats generally seem to be more tolerant to what we would consider to be painful stimuli by producing natural painkillers known as endorphins in the brain. Many owners do not realize that their cats are ill until the disease is very advanced because cats are so good at masking their illnesses and coping with life as best as possible. As an owner, you will be familiar with the normal behavior pattern of your cat and will soon notice if there is a change. If you cat is eating normally, seems alert, and is going about life as usual, you can reasonably assume that it is not in any great degree of pain. If you are in doubt, do not hesitate to discuss the matter with your vet.

Is it kinder to let my cat die naturally or to have him put to sleep?
Many owners dread having to make a decision to put their pet to sleep, and when that pet is very old or terminally ill, they naturally hope that the cat will die peacefully in its sleep. This would be fine if one could be sure that the end would be painless and peaceful, but unfortunately that is often not the case. In that sense, our pets are lucky - it is not necessary for them to suffer when the time comes for them to end their days. Euthanasia is quick and painless and need cause the cat no more pain or distress than having an anesthetic. It is usually kinder to find the courage to make a decision and insure that your cat is put quickly and painlessly to sleep than to risk the possibility of a drawn out and painful death.

Is it a good idea to have my cat put to sleep at home in familiar surroundings?
Since a visit to the vet's office can be a frightening experience for cats, many owners want their cat to end its days in its environment at home. However, many vets feel that the procedure can be carried out more quickly and painlessly in their offices. Since a house visit will take up very much more of your vet's time, it will also be considerably more expensive than taking the cat to the office. Discuss the matter with your vet; he or she will advice you depending on the nature of your cat and maybe his or her personal opinion on the issue.

How does a vet put a cat to sleep?
Pet cats are normally put to sleep with an injection of a large dose of a barbiturate, either into a vein of a leg or directly into an organ such as a kidney. The drug usually works very quickly, with the cat becoming unconscious within seconds and its breathing and heartbeat stopping soon afterward. The drug used is very similar to that used for anesthesia and causes no pain other than the pinprick caused by the needle itself. If the cat is very difficult to handle, it may be necessary for the vet to administer a sedative first, or to put the cat into a chamber into which an anesthetic gas can be administered. While this is not as quick as a barbiturate injection, it may be kinder for a cat that is very frightened of being handled.

What arrangements should I make for my cat afterward?
Most owners leave the arrangements to the vet who has put the cat to sleep. Pet animals are usually collected from the office and cremated, or buried at a landfill site. If you wish your cat to be buried in an established pet cemetery or individually cremated, your vet should be able to arrange it on your behalf. Some owners prefer to bury their pets near to their homes - that is fine if you have a suitable site, but be sure that you bury the cat at least three feet deep, preferably placing a paving stone over the site afterward to prevent the grave being dug up by scavengers such as foxes.