Any of us who has cohabited with a cat, dreads the time when have to say goodbye. Up until that day, we live in denial, sometimes even missing the signs of aging until suddenly they slap us in the face.

As a general rule, the smaller the creature, the shorter its lifespan. Cats are the exception, typically living well into their teens; some into their twenties.

Feral cats have the shortest lives. The dangers associated with endless breeding and the physical toll of day-to-day survival, add up. The death rate for their kittens is a whopping 50%, and it’s not usually a kind end. Starvation, predation, and illness all claim their victims, and no one is there to mourn their passing.

Our pets experience none of these hardships. Most are spayed/neutered and receive regular veterinary care adding years to their pampered lives. They are also vaccinated against disease, kept parasite-free, and given nutritious food in abundance. Many are kept indoors where they do not run the risk of being carried off by a coyote or owl, or hit by a car. The most danger they face is having their tail stepped on or caught in a door.

The day finally comes, though, when you see your kitten has suddenly become old. The decline is often so gradual, that it seems to happen overnight and you may even panic, rushing your old friend to the vet for a checkup.

This is actually a good thing to do. Aging cats can suffer from silent killers such as kidney disease and diabetes, even cancer. A trip to the veterinarian at this point can go a long way in lengthening your pet’s life.

If the vet determines that your cat is healthy, just winding down, ask for diet recommendations. Cats lose their teeth over time and also become less active, suggesting a possible need to change food. A change in coat (dryness) may indicate the same.

It is not unusual for cats to lose weight, including their fat pouch, which in youth swung so grandly from side-to-side as its owner trotted by. My fourteen-year-old Dodo has lost four pounds, and spends two-thirds of his day lying on the rug next to his dish, waiting for the next tidbit to fall in. I gladly oblige him each time I enter the kitchen. Unfortunately, my other cats have caught on to this routine and trot to their dishes hoping to receive the same.

Hydration is vital, so keep a close eye on the water dish. Report any excessive drinking immediately to your veterinarian, as it is one of the signs for feline diabetes.

If the cat begins to lose interest in water, adding liquid to the food is a good idea. If he stops drinking completely, keep the mouth moist with a bit of water by using an eyedropper.

Warmth is the most comforting thing of all. Make a cozy soft bed for your cat, and line it with a towel fresh from the dryer. Years ago when Dodo’s littermate was dying of IBS, I purchased a heated cat bed for him. It made his last week easier. Dodo sleeps in it every night now, soothing his aching bones and warming his skinny body.

As the time grows close, your cat will find out-of-the-way places to curl up in. This is nature’s way… leave the colony; die alone with dignity. Honor his wishes for solitude and quiet, but visit frequently for pets and purrs.

If the animal is in distress, you will know. You will also know when it is time to humanely help him over that rainbow bridge. There are mobile vets who will come to your home, to avoid that final distressing car trip, if you so choose.

And so we will love them, to the end and beyond.