Why Did My Cat Still Trying to Breathe After He Was Put Down?

I can certainly relate to you. I had a wonderful cat I had to put to sleep when she was 14. When I took her to the vet, it took a very long time for her to go. I continuously asked myself if this was the right thing to do. I know in my mind it was, but, my heart took longer . I know now if I had waited, she would have suffered tremendously. You did the right thing, even though it was very hard to do.

Please go back and read the previous posts. They will help you if they let them.

It has nothing to do with being put down. It is a natural response to dying. It is part of the makeup of living things to try to breathe.

You did the right thing. You stopped the suffering. Please trust us when we tell you this.

Dawn

Kitty might have been taking some "agonal breaths" - I hate that term, because it makes it sound like they are in agony, but they're not. But often after they have stopped breathing and have passed, they make suddenly appear to take a large gasp-like breath or large gulp - or more than one. People do it too when they pass. They have died, but the agonal breaths are just a normal reaction to what is happening. They are not aware of them, they are not purposeful, and they are not suffering. Or like someone else said - they don't stop breathing the instant the solution hits their blood stream - it has to reach their brain and sometimes, especially with very sick animals, their circulation is sluggish, so it may appear to take a while.

Please do not second-guess yourself. It is not right to allow animals to suffer if their quality of life is poor and there isn't really anything else we can do to make them comfortable. You did the right thing. I am sorry for your loss.

If he was in kidney failure, he wouldn't have a good quality of life. Trust me. You did the right thing.

As far as him taking a few breathes after he was injected with the meds, that's normal. When we put my dog down, many years ago, he took another 10 breathes before he stopped breathing. They don't stop breathing the moment the plunger goes into the syringe. It's ok mama, he didn't suffer.

Oh honey, it's okay. You did the right thing.
It's okay.
He obviously was ready to go and you helped him not feel any more pain.
It's normal once they are given the medicine sometimes take a few extra breaths before they go.
But they do go to sleep.
He no longer feels any pain.
You helped him. Especially if he was sick and in pain and unable to breathe w/o pain/discomfort.
Now what you are feeling is YOUR sadness of having to be w/o him. That should be more comforting. He's not longer in pain or sad. You are left with his memories and knowing you did the right thing.....making him feel better/more comfortable. He will always be with you.
I wish you a good sleep tonight knowing you did the right thing. Death is sad for the people left behind not for the ones who went. Peace to you honey.

Edit: They have to expel the last bit of oxygen left in their lungs.

I'm sorry you lost your cat.
They do breathe until they take their last breath, that's how it works.
He wasnt in pain tho, so dont worry about that.

I'm so sorry about your cat. I know how hard it is to make the decision to put a beloved pet down. I just want to say you should be proud of your difficult choice. You did the right thing. Kidney failure in cats is a progressive, painful condition.

Your cat is no longer hurting because you did what was right even though it was hard. Let the last minutes of his life go and remember the 12 years of love he gave you.

Don't worry or guilt yourself, you did the right thing....the caring loving thing. Like others have said it's natural. They gave him the injections then what you saw was his last breath, not him struggling or trying to breathe.

I know its hard. I had to put my dog down after 17 yrs. It was the hardest thing for me to do, but she was in pain and I couldn't let her suffer.

You did what was best.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. But glad he is no longer suffering from his illness.

My family has had to put down a few of our dogs over the years. Others have already explained & answered your question, but I just wanted to say that your vet should have warned you about what would happen! I remember our vet doing that. It was still hard to see, but we at least knew it was normal & expected to happen.

it's very common for animals (and people) to have movements and twitches and breath during their last moments. it's hard to watch for sure. but good for you for staying with him.
even a suffering being who is ready to go will instinctively fight to draw that last breath. it doesn't mean your decision was wrong.
i'm so sorry for your loss. there's nothing that makes the grieving easier. but don't beat yourself up for letting your friend and companion go. you did the right thing.
khairete
S.

I am sorry you lost your pet and from experience, the hardest way to let go is having to make the decision to let them go.

It gets better.... we've been through it twice and I have a 13 yr old dog that we are keeping comfortable right now and waiting for the "sign". You can tell when it is right and maybe your cat was thanking you for allowing him to pass on and out of his misery.

When we lost our last dog, we were given a book "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul" and it did help to go through that book reading what people experience. We were not alone. You are not either.

Best wishes to you and may you find comfort.