Walking This Road With You
Few moments in cat ownership are harder than the ones that come at the end. After years (sometimes decades) of shared life, companionship, and quiet moments together, it can feel impossible to know what comes next, or how to navigate decisions you never wanted to face.
At Rialto Cat Hospital, we’re honored to be there with families during this chapter. Our team approaches end-of-life and hospice care with the same values we bring to every part of our work: compassion, honesty, and a deep respect for the bond between you and your cat.
You are not alone in this, and there is no wrong question to ask.
Knowing When It’s Time
One of the most painful questions cat families face is whether the time has come. There’s rarely a single clear answer, and sometimes the kindest thing we can do is sit with you, look at your cat’s quality of life honestly, and help you weigh what’s best for them.
Cats add a particular challenge to this decision: they’re extraordinarily good at hiding pain and discomfort, which means changes can be subtle, gradual, and easy to second-guess. Our team can help you interpret what you’re seeing.
When you’re ready, we’re here to talk through:
- Signs that quality of life may be declining
- Pain management options to keep your cat comfortable for as long as possible
- What hospice and palliative care can offer when treatment is no longer the goal
- What to expect during a euthanasia appointment, when that time arrives
There is no judgment in this conversation — only support, information, and the gentleness your family deserves.
Hospice and Palliative Care
When a cat is facing a serious illness or the natural decline of old age, our goal shifts from treating disease to honoring comfort. Hospice and palliative care focus on managing pain, supporting your cat’s quality of life, and giving your family meaningful time together for as long as that time is good.
We’ll work with you to create a care plan that fits your cat’s needs and your family’s circumstances — including pain medications, appetite support, hydration strategies, environmental adjustments for aging bodies, and clear guidance on what to watch for as things progress.
Euthanasia
Before proceeding, one of our veterinarians will meet with you and evaluate your cat’s comfort, quality of life, and medical condition. Sometimes families come to us knowing it is time; other times they are seeking guidance. Our role is to provide compassionate medical insight, answer your questions honestly, and help determine the most appropriate path forward for your cat.
When the time comes to say goodbye, our team is committed to making it as peaceful and dignified as possible — for your cat and for you.
Euthanasia appointments at Rialto Cat Hospital are unhurried and gentle. We use carefully chosen sedation and pain medications to ensure your cat is calm, comfortable, and free of distress throughout the process. You’re welcome to stay with your cat, to bring family members, and to take whatever time you need — before, during, and after.
If there are special requests — a favorite blanket, treats, calming music, a particular family member who should be there — please share them with us. We want this experience to honor the life you shared.
Aftercare
Following your cat’s passing, we’ll guide you through aftercare options, including communal and private cremation services through our trusted local partners. Memorial options are available if you’d like to keep a piece of your cat’s memory close. Our team will walk you through every choice with patience and clarity.
Support Resources
In-Home Euthanasia
For some families, in-home euthanasia is the better option — especially for cats who find travel deeply stressful or who are most at peace in familiar surroundings. We recommend Lap of Love for this service. They are able to assist with peaceful, dignified in-home euthanasia services, aftercare, and grief support resources.
Grief Is Real — and It’s Okay Here
The loss of a cat is a profound grief. It can affect every member of your household, including children and other pets, who often sense the change before we can explain it. Cats leave behind a particular kind of quiet — the missing sound of a purr, an empty sunspot, a stillness where there used to be small ceremonies of morning and evening.
If you or your family need support in the days and weeks after, please reach out. We can recommend local and online grief resources, books, and support communities for adults and children. There is no shame in mourning a cat deeply. They earn it.
We’re Here When You Need Us
If you’re facing decisions about end-of-life care for your cat, please don’t hesitate to reach out — even just to talk through what you’re thinking. Call us at (909) 546-3321.
We are honored to be part of your cat’s story, from beginning to end.
Cat Quality-of-Life Checklist
Choosing what’s best for a cat in their later stages is one of the hardest things any pet parent faces. This checklist is here to help you step back and look honestly at how your cat is doing across the areas that matter most to their comfort and happiness. There are no wrong answers; the goal is to give you a clearer, more grounded picture to talk through with your Rialto Cat Hospital care team. And remember: quality of life isn’t only about your cat. It applies to you and your family, too.
Scoring
Read each statement and rate how well it describes your cat right now:
0 = This is still true for my cat
1 = I’ve noticed some changes
2 = This is no longer true for my cat
Add up the scores in each section, then combine them for a total.
Companionship
_____ Still seeks out time with the people (and other pets) they love
_____ Greets and interacts with the household the way they always have
_____ Still wants affection, lap time, or play
Comfort
_____ Breathes easily — no new open-mouth breathing, coughing, or wheezing
_____ Moves and rests without visible signs of pain (hunched posture, reluctance to be touched, and hiding are common signs in cats)
_____ Settles and sleeps comfortably
_____ Overall condition has held steady, with no recent decline
Mind & Mood
_____ Enjoys favorite toys, sunspots, or activities as much as before
_____ Responds to familiar likes and dislikes the same way (a favorite person still delights them; a longtime annoyance still bothers them)
_____ Seems calm and content, with no new signs of stress, agitation, or vocalizing
_____ Stays alert and engaged — not withdrawn, confused, or disoriented
_____ Keeps a normal nighttime routine — no new pacing, restlessness, or excessive vocalizing
Grooming & Body Basics
_____ Grooms themselves normally — no matted fur, greasy coat, or neglected areas
_____ Eats with a normal appetite
_____ Drinks a normal amount of water
_____ Uses the litter box normally (no accidents, straining, or changes in urine or stool)
_____ Gets up, moves around, and jumps as easily as before
Your Results
Total score: _____
0–11: Quality of life appears steady. Your cat seems comfortable and engaged. No medical intervention may be needed right now, but checking in with your veterinarian can help you recognize early signs to watch for down the road.
12–22: Quality of life is uncertain. Some meaningful changes are showing up. Your cat would benefit from a visit with our team so we can evaluate what’s happening and help you understand the road ahead.
23–36: Quality of life is a serious concern. These changes are likely to progress and may become more difficult in the near future. Veterinary guidance can help you understand where your cat is in their disease process and support you in making a compassionate, well-informed decision about comfort care or a peaceful goodbye.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the results of your cat’s Quality of Life Checklist, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here for you and your cat.