Physical Signs to Watch For
- Extreme fatigue. Sleeping far more than usual, or struggling to stand up and move around.
- Loss of appetite or thirst. Turning away from food and water, or needing to be coaxed or hand-fed.
- Changes in breathing. Shallow, rapid, irregular, or laboured breathing, sometimes with pauses.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control. Accidents in a previously house-trained pet, or increasing incontinence.
- A cooler body, especially paws and ears. Slowing circulation can make extremities feel cool to the touch.
Behavioural and Emotional Changes
- Withdrawing or hiding. Isolating in a quiet corner, or seeming disconnected from the family.
- Unusual clinginess. Some pets do the opposite — seeking extra reassurance and staying close.
- Confusion or restlessness. Pacing, whining, staring blankly, or getting stuck in corners.
- Loss of coordination. Stumbling, falling, or difficulty keeping balance.
Signs in Cats
Cats often hide illness far more effectively than dogs, so the signs can look different — and easier to miss.
What to watch for
- Hiding away, or no longer seeking company
- Stopping grooming — a dull, matted coat
- Eating much less, or losing weight steadily
- Difficulty getting to or using the litter tray
- No longer jumping up, or reluctant to move
Why it's easy to miss
Cats are naturally private, so a gradual withdrawal can look like normal cat behaviour at first. A dull coat and reduced grooming is often one of the earliest and most reliable signs something has changed — even before appetite or mobility are affected.
What a Quality of Life Assessment Can Tell You
If several of these signs feel familiar but you're still not sure, you don't have to work it out alone or wait for a crisis moment. A quality of life assessment is a calm, structured way to understand your pet's comfort — a vet looks at pain, appetite, hydration, hygiene, mobility, and how many good days your pet is having compared to bad ones, then talks you through what it actually means.
What Happens Next, If You Decide It's Time
If, after talking things through, you feel it is time, we're here for that too. Till We Meet Again offers a calm, dignified at-home euthanasia visit — in your pet's own familiar surroundings, entirely at your pace.