Hospice care

Hospice, or palliative, care is for cats whose disease cannot be cured or has reached a stage where treatment would no longer help. The aim is to keep the cat comfortable and let it spend its remaining time at home with the family. Cats with advanced kidney disease, cancer, heart disease or severe arthritis are among those who may be cared for this way.

A plan is built with the vet, sometimes with a veterinarian who specializes in end-of-life care, and often includes home visits. It may cover pain relief, anti-nausea treatment, help with eating and drinking, fluids given under the skin, softer bedding, low-sided litter boxes, grooming help and a quiet room near the family. Owners learn what signs to watch and when to call. Tracking quality of life helps everyone see whether comfort is being kept.

Hospice does not mean doing nothing. It also does not replace euthanasia, which stays an option if suffering cannot be controlled, and the vet will say when that point may be near. Medicines and doses must come from the vet, not from human medicine cabinets, since many human drugs are poisonous to cats. Ask your vet whether hospice suits your cat, who to call after hours, and what to do if the cat suddenly worsens.