Natural deaths are when your cat dies of old age, disease or starvation. These are typically slow processes that may take weeks or months to occur.
Some diseases can be deadly in less than one week, but most cats live long enough for their body to work through natural healing mechanisms.
These include things like inflammation (swelling) caused by infections or allergic reactions, which get better over time. Or internal organs such as kidneys working properly with time.
Certain behaviors such as eating away from home or not being able to sleep due to stress may also play a role in death.
If you notice any changes to your kitty’s health, talk to your vet right away! You don’t want to wait because symptoms could become worse quickly. There is some help available.
Your cat dies naturally
Sometimes things just happen, you know? Maybe your dog has an accident and passes away, or something happens to your neighbor’s cat that makes it pass away as well. You may be wondering what happens next!
When this occurs, most people are shocked and saddened by the loss of their friend. But aside from being someone’s best friend, a housecat is a relatively expensive animal. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), average domesticated cats cost around $400 per year.
So when they die, there should at least some sort of formal process put into place to deal with them. In fact, according to the law, every state requires a dead pet to be picked up within 24 hours and have a death certificate issued.
After those steps have been taken, the owner is legally obligated to try to identify the body through photographs or DNA samples. After that, the carcass must either be cremated or buried in a grave depending on whether the individual wanted to do either themselves or had plans to do so already.
This can sometimes cause more confusion than clarity because not everyone wants to be involved in the disposal of their beloved companion. Fortunately, there are ways to help avoid these complications. Finding a way to say goodbye to your furry friend can help mitigate any grief you might be feeling while also protecting the environment.
It could happen at any time
A natural death for a cat is very tragic, but it does not always mean that something bad happened to them. Sometimes things just get too sick or they simply give up living due to poor health.
A lot of things can contribute to an older cat’s decision to stop eating and drinking. Older cats may decide to pass away due to illness or old age.
Certain diseases are more common in elderly animals, so when symptoms appear, it can be difficult to help your beloved pet!
If you notice changes in your cat’s behavior, activity level, or appetite, it might be necessary to talk about their passing.
Some people worry about whether or not their dog will survive without his or her companion, which is understandable. However, with socialization as a young adult, most dogs find another furry friend or two to live out the rest of their lives together.
It's not the end of the world
Many people feel guilty when they learn that their dog or cat just did not make it after passing away. This is totally natural, especially if you were one of them who thought it was impossible to lose someone you love so deeply.
However, what most people do not realize about animals is that death is usually much more peaceful than we might think.
When dogs and cats die naturally, there are three main causes. The first is cardiovascular disease which happens when your heart cannot pump enough blood due to a problem with either muscle relaxation or function.
The second cause is cancer which is when your body detects an abnormal growth of cells in the body. Finally, internal organ failure can be caused by problems such as bacterial infection or lack of nutrients and oxygen in the blood.
It is very important to understand that even though these things may seem scary or unpleasant for humans, they are actually good ways for some parts of the animal to break down and dissipate into space.
Your cat has probably died already
Many things can happen to your beloved kitty when he or she dies. If this is something you are worried about, then it’s important for you to be aware of what happens during these times.
You see, most animals die within an hour after they have stopped breathing and their heart has ceased pumping blood. This usually occurs due to death by suffocation, but sometimes a longer time may pass before this happens if the animal was able to breathe even though its mouth were blocked. It also takes a lot more energy for cats to breathe than it does for dogs, which means they will likely spend less time trying to get air before passing away.
If your pet is in pain at the end, his or her body will automatically try to reduce the stress that they feel. Therefore, your pet might not make any sounds as they struggle to breathe, or they may clench their muscles instead of moving them. All of these behaviors indicate that your furry friend is in excruciating pain and cannot cope with it anymore.
At this stage, some pets lose consciousness and sleep, while others remain awake until they eventually succumb to death. Because cats need much more oxygen per weight than dogs do, they often take much shorter naps after they have run out of breath. This is why it can take several minutes for your cat to actually stop breathing.
It is very difficult to watch your companion suffer like this, so it is best to be prepared.
You should try to accept this fact
Even if your cat seems fine, there may be something wrong under the surface. A natural death can signal that your beloved feline is not happy with its life or you as an owner.
This could be due to mental health issues or problems at home, work, school or other commitments that are outside of your control. If these changes occur around the same time as the death of your cat, it may indicate pre-existing mood or stress disorders that made him/her more vulnerable to things like illness or accident.
It’s important to remember that even though cats seem indolent and sometimes passive, they still feel strong emotions just like humans do.
There are things you can do to help your cat after they die
Even if your cat dies of natural causes, there are still some good options for loved ones. You can reduce or eliminate any stress by knowing what happens when a cat dies.
Most animals die in three stages. The first is called presureless death. This occurs when your pet doesn’t have enough blood left in their body to keep them alive anymore. Your dog may stop eating and drinking, but she might not realize that she's going to pass out soon.
The second stage is respiratory death. Because cats don't use air breathing like we do, they won’t get those bubbles popping through their lips.
The third stage is cardiac arrest. This happens when your pet's heart stops pumping blood.
During this period, your animal may become unresponsive and lose consciousness. They may also develop green mucus around their nose and mouth.
Get a vet's help
Even though it may feel like you're going through the motions, trying to care for your cat after they die can be very difficult.
You'll need to take extra steps to make sure their death was not caused by something related to animal welfare or veterinary health. This includes making sure to check if there were any signs of illness before death, that no one put pressure on you to have them euthanized, and that you are given appropriate time to grieve and recover from their loss.
It is also important to know what kind of cremation or burial is preferred so that can be done correctly. Some cats cannot be buried in a cemetery because of disease risk to other animals or people. For this reason, some owners choose cremation so that their beloved feline can rest in peace.
While most veterinarians will work with you during this process, there are organizations out there who can help you along. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) has resources such as grief support groups and counselors that can aid you in your recovery.
Create a grief support group
After a natural death, what happens next depends on the person who dies and their loved ones. Some people feel overwhelmed with emotions and need time to work through them.
It is important for family members to acknowledge each other’s pain and help out as much as possible. It may be helpful to have a conversation about how the deceased individual lived and how they are remembered.
Some things that can make life after a loss easier include talking about the dead cat's body or cremated remains, going to services, having memorial activities, changing your hairstyle or buying new clothes, and keeping an eye on your health.
