Although you might not like to think about it, your cat does not have a finite amount of time on this Earth.
At some point, as painful as it is to imagine, their time on this plant will be over. We believe that, rather than burying your head in the sand, it’s worth knowing about some of the most common causes of death in cats.
This is so you’re aware of potential signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for, and if you spot any you can whisk your faithful feline companion to the vet for further examination, tests, and expert diagnosis. After all, the earlier any serious illness is detected, the higher the chance of treatment being successful.
Cancer
A 2022 study examining mortality in cats found that cancer was the leading cause of death in the group studied (the cause of death of 36% of cats in the study group), with round cell tumors being the most common type of cancer that led to death (43% of those with one type of cancer).1
There are many different types of cancer that can attack different parts of a cat’s body in different ways, so the earlier you notice any lumps or changes in your cat’s health, the higher the chances of detecting the disease, taking your cat to the vet and the vet being able to diagnose and treat it.
Look out for: New or growing lumps on or under your cat’s skin, significant weight loss, loss of appetite, trouble with digestion, or discharge from their eyes, ears, nose, mouth or anus.
If your cat has been diagnosed with cancer, their nutritional needs my change and your vet may recommend a prescription diet. You might find out list of the best foods to give a cat with cancer helpful too.
Kidney disease
Kidney disease occurs when your cat’s kidneys begin to degrade and not function properly, making them unable to do their job of filtering waste from the blood into urine.
About one-third of cats will suffer from some form of kidney disease in their lifetime, and once they’ve been diagnosed, there’s no cure — it’s more about managing the disease.
Look out for: If your cat’s drinking more than usual — excessive thirst or urination can be a sign of a problem with the kidneys. Also lethargy, weight loss, and a lack of interest in everything, including playing with toys or hunting prey.
Heart disease
There are two types of heart disease in cats: congenital is when a cat is born with a heart defect that’s either picked up in the early years by a vet or can go undetected for many years. This could be a genetic disorder or simply a heart malfunction that affects just one cat in the litter.
Adult onset heart disease is when a cat develops heart issues later in life, through damage to the heart via lifestyle or genetics.
There are a number of different ways heart disease can affect a cat’s heart. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common type found in cats, and occurs when the heart muscle thickens, reducing the space within the heart’s chambers for the blood.
Look out for: Unfortunately with heart disease there are often no signs until it’s too late. Lethargy, a withdrawal from their pet parents, and more time spent hiding could be an indication something is amiss. Also weight loss, increase in respiration, and partial paralysis.
Hyperthyroidism
This disease occurs when your cat’s thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone thyroxine, causing bodily functions to occur at a faster rate. It’s often caused by a benign tumor, which kickstarts the production of extra hormones. It’s a disease usually found in middle-aged to older cats.
If left untreated, it can result in heart failure, blindness or death, so spotting the signs as early as possible and taking your cat to the vet is the best course of action.
Look out for: Increased appetite and thirst alongside weight loss — the increase in metabolism caused by excessive thyroxine can see your cat lose weight despite eating more. Other signs include a rapid heart beat, restlessness, an increase in activity levels, and a thinning coat.
Trauma
We can’t talk about cat deaths without discussing trauma as one of the most common causes. In a 2001 study 2 on the leading causes of sudden death in cats, trauma was revealed to be the number one reason, with 39% of the cats studied dying in this manner.
The vast majority of these deaths were caused by being hit by a motor vehicle.
If you’re the pet parent of an outdoor cat, you’ll be well aware of this risk, especially if you live near a main road.
There are, unfortunately, not many ways to prevent this happening, aside from keeping your cat indoors. Vets recommend neutering your cat so they’re less inclined to stray further afield looking for a mate. Also, a reflective collar could make a difference in cars seeing your cat at night.
Article reviewed by
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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