I think my 13 year old cat is about to die, he's been acting strange for the past few days and tonight he's been walking around slowly and laying down every few steps. He went down into the basement and is now lying in my dog's kennel (which is his favorite place to be). His breathing is short and quick and he isn't moving much except a few inches every once and awhile to drink some water. It's really hard to see him go. He was my first pet and this will be my first big pet death, but I'm glad he's going peacefully and he doesn't seem to be in any pain.

My question is, should I bring my other cat and dog to see him? I don't want him to dissapear suddenly and have my other pets (especially my other cat, who is really attached to him) not know where he went. Also, should I bring them to see him while he's still alive or after he dies? I don't want to put any stress on him. Thanks.

Hmmm, tough call.
If it were me I would let my other animal companions visit the sick one if they wished to but be careful not to stress the sick cat. I would probably let them sniff / see the body after he dies just so as they know what has happened.
Hope it all works out the best way it can.
Good luck & my sympathies to you...

My question here is WHY THE HELL AREN'T YOU AT THE VET WITH YOUR CAT RIGHT NOW?? Why have you left it sick and wandering around for the past few days?? There is NO reason for you to have a cat sick and not take it to the vet. 13 is not so old for a cat, there may be something you can treat. I am just totally sickened by this thread.

I think that animals already know when a pet in the house is dying. Bringing your other animals down to see him may cause too much excitement. You should just go down there yourself and be with him... your other animals will be able to smell it when he passes on.

& yes - it goes without saying - I hope you have seen a vet...

whoa, a little harsh there rabidchild.:eek:

jessikt, does your cat have a regular vet? it might be worth a visit to see what can be done if anything at this point. is your cat eating and using its box? i thnk you should call your vet and descrbe what's going on. it may be something totally treatable.

Yes, most definitely a vet should be contacted (assuming one hasn't already). But on the general subject of pets mourning their furry friends, I just found this article on the web that seemed helpful. I think that it's probably best to let one pet mourn the other by seeing their friend's body.

http://www.petplace.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=4346

We are taking him to a vet as soon as we can tomorrow. We would've taken him tonight, but he only started showing symptoms around 8:30.

He hasn't been "wandering around sick", by acting strange I meant he's been sleeping a bit more than usual and spending a bit more time outside than he usually does.

I was completely shocked when my mom told me tonight that he wasn't doing well.

Don't you have an emergency vet clinic that is open 24 hours a day, if so, do not wait and go!

I think the other pets are more in tune with what's going on than we humans are.

Get that kitty to a vet.

Your other pets know exactly whats going on.

We took him to the vet first thing Thursday morning, he had x-rays done and it was his heart that wasn't so good, the condition wasn't preventable or treatable and he was put to sleep in the afternoon. :(

Again, re-reading my original post, it did seem like I meant that he had been showing symptoms earlier in the week, which is not AT ALL the case. He only showed symptoms that something was up on Wednesday night, if he had shown symptoms any earlier in the week, he would've been taken straight to the vet.

Thanks for all of your replies.

We took him to the vet first thing Thursday morning, he had x-rays done and it was his heart that wasn't so good, the condition wasn't preventable or treatable and he was put to sleep in the afternoon. :(

Again, re-reading my original post, it did seem like I meant that he had been showing symptoms earlier in the week, which is not AT ALL the case. He only showed symptoms that something was up on Wednesday night, if he had shown symptoms any earlier in the week, he would've been taken straight to the vet.

Thanks for all of your replies.

Thanks for the up-date. I had a kitten last year that had a big heart problem. My husband rushed him to the vet, because I was at work. She was not even a year old. I had her and his brother rescued. She had some freaky heart thing. We gave her pills and two weeks later she was dying. I held her in my arms, and my husband took her to the vet the next day. They said that the meds were not working and they put her to sleep as a kitten. I only think she was only like 6 months old. We both cried, and it was way out of our hands. She was just born with a bad heart, and these meds were not enough to keep Pandora alive. I named one of my fish after her. We do miss her. She was like a cat/dog to us.

I am sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry for the loss of your kitty. From what I've seen, animals seem to understand and accept death better than humans. I think it's easier on them if they get to see the deceased body of their friend, they know their friend isn't coming back and why. They will still mourn their friend's passing though.