RI DAILY

Manhattan's little, quieter island and beyond

Island insights that go beyond the tram.

RI DAILY

Manhattan's little, quieter island and beyond

Reporting Roosevelt Island since sunrise.

Your Need to Know: Dying Cat Stages

Most cat lovers have been through this at least once – the dying cat stages. It’s painful and puzzling, but it’s also inevitable. Our point here is to provide a list of common experiences we’ve learned about that will help...

Featured The Thing About Cats
Black cat

Most cat lovers have been through this at least once – the dying cat stages. It’s painful and puzzling, but it’s also inevitable. Our point here is to provide a list of common experiences we’ve learned about that will help you make smart decisions when the time for your cat comes.

Based on the information, the process of a cat dying can be divided into early and active stages. Each stage has specific signs that may indicate the cat is nearing the end of its life.

The Roosevelt Island Daily News

Early Dying Stage

Lack of Appetite: Cats may lose interest in food and water. This could lead to significant weight loss over time.

Fatigue or Lethargy: Cats may show less energy or enthusiasm for activities they once enjoyed.

Change in Behavior: Some cats might become more affectionate and seek more attention than usual.

Active Dying Stage

Breathing Difficulties: Cats may struggle with breath, appearing to gasp for air. Agonal breathing, a gulping or gasping type of breath, indicates severe oxygen deprivation and is not normal.

Extreme Weakness: As the body begins to shut down, cats may show signs of extreme weakness and may not be able to move around as they used to.

Changes in Appearance and Smell: There may be noticeable changes in the cat’s physical appearance and smell. The body temperature may also drop.

Hiding: Cats are known to hide when they’re not feeling well. If your cat is dying, it might seclude itself more often.

It’s essential to remember that these signs can also be symptoms of other less severe health issues, so it’s crucial to consult with a vet if you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior or physical condition.

Sources:

Paws and More Vet

PetMD

Cat-World

Farewell Pet

Review42

Better With Cats

Pet Angel

The Meeting That Moved On Without Her
Featured

The Meeting That Moved On Without Her

What I Saw Between a Burned Doorway and a Governance Committee Table Governance Committee Meeting, 5:30 p.m., November 17, 2025, RIOC Operations Office, 680 Main Street

The smoke had thinned by November seventeenth, but it still clung to my coat and the back of my throat. Two nights earlier, fire trucks had crowded the rear of the Landings, their lights bouncing off brick and glass. The flames were gone. The smell remained.

Discover more from Roosevelt Island, New York, Daily News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading