Today’s post is going to be a more challenging topic and one that evokes strong emotions. Behavioral euthanasia requires a nuanced discussion and may be difficult for some to read. As you read this post, even if you disagree with my viewpoint, please remember that I am dedicating my life to helping cats. Cat welfare is very important to me so chances are we’re on the same page even if we disagree.
I also want to be very direct about my position on behavioral euthanasia: before I began my training in cat behavior, I was completely opposed to behavioral euthanasia. During my coursework, the topic was brought up a few times and I developed a more nuanced position. It’s not a first choice for me and it’s something that I want to do absolutely everything possible to avoid. In some situations, it’s the kindest choice to make for the cat.
I also do not think people who make the choice to go through with behavioral euthanasia are bad people or hate their cats. It’s a really tough decision to make. It sucks. Nobody enjoys it.
Before you get your torches and pitchforks ready, please take some time to really read and listen to what I have to say. I’m not advocating for behavioral euthanasia, but I think it’s a topic we should be comfortable having open discussions around. I provide this information so cat parents who are considering this challenging choice have things to think about.
What Is Behavioral Euthanasia?
For those that aren’t familiar with behavioral euthanasia, it is when an animal is humanely euthanized due to an unwanted behavior. In cats, litter box problems and aggression are the top reasons for behavioral euthanasia. It is not euthanasia due to a medical illness, though there is some gray area where it may be a bit of both. It’s also not when shelters euthanize animals due to space concerns.
Behavioral euthanasia is carried out by a veterinarian. Usually, it involves the animal being sedated and then a medication administered to peacefully end their life. The actual process is similar to more traditional euthanasia. Depending on the circumstances, you may have the option of in home euthanasia or euthanasia at the clinic.
When Is Behavioral Euthanasia Considered?
As cat parents (or a shelter director in the case of a cat in a shelter) are ultimately the ones who have to make all decisions regarding their cat, technically behavioral euthanasia could be considered at any point. While I hope any ethical veterinarian would refuse to perform euthanasia if the owner requests it because their cat looked at them funny, technically it could be considered whenever.
Typically, however, behavioral euthanasia is considered in a cat for severe behavior concerns. It may pose a risk to the health or safety of others or it may be something that owners are unable to afford services to address their cat’s behavior. In many cases, behavioral and medical interventions such as behavioral medications have already been tried.
In some cases, the cause may be medical but it results in a behavioral problem. For example, if your cat has a medical condition leading to house soiling, euthanasia may be considered if the medical problem is unlikely to resolve or causing the cat significant pain. This is a combination of both medical and behavioral euthanasia in my viewpoint so it really depends on what the ultimate reasoning behind the decision is.
What Should Cat Parents Think Of Before Behavioral Euthanasia Consider?
While every situation where behavioral euthanasia is considered is unique, there are some things that should be taken into account before making the choice. It’s important that both human and cat needs are being considered.
Is Rehoming A Viable Option?
Many cat behavior problems, including cat conflict or even litter box usage problems, are at least partially an environmental problem. In some cases, rehoming a cat resolves the issue entirely. Ultimately, rehoming the cat may be the kindest choice.
I’ve had conversations with many folks whose cats are young and not a great fit for the home that say they would rather euthanize the cat than rehome them due to the stress of rehoming or the cat being in a shelter. While it is true rehoming is stressful and the cat may not enjoy the time in the shelter, if they are there for (picking random numbers to prove a point) 1 month and then they get an additional 7 years of happiness in a loving home, doesn’t that seem like the benefit of the rehoming outweighs the stress? The cat would never get that additional happy time if they were euthanized.
It’s more complicated than I can fit into this post, but rehoming isn’t always a bad choice for cats and they will often adapt to the new environment. Even cats with behavior concerns can be successfully rehomed! Ask yourself objectively if your cat may be happier somewhere else and think about the risks vs. benefits.
What Have You Already Tried?
While it may seem like you have tried everything, is it possible you haven’t done every intervention out there? For example, with house soiling, there are a lot of different styles of litter boxes, types of litter, and factors influencing litter box usage in cats. You may have tried using a tall exercise pen to contain the cat when they may be triggered to act aggressively, but haven’t been able to strictly manage the environment enough to prevent aggression. Is there something you haven’t tried yet that may work better?
I see a lot of people who feel like they have done all the things they possible can think of, but I quickly come up with a few new things to try. In many cases these folks have tried a lot of things, but not everything. Before resorting to behavioral euthanasia for your cat, consider working with a professional.
Consider Medications
While I do not talk with clients about specifics of behavioral medications for cats as that’s a conversation to have with their veterinarian, I often discuss their feelings surrounding medications and expectations. I have seen a lot of great results from the combination or medication and behavior modification for cats. Ultimately, you are working to reduce your cat’s stress, anxiety, or other distress so you’re not using medication for selfish reasons. There are risks involved with medication so it’s important that you bring up concerns with your vet, but it may greatly help your cat.
If your vet has tried a medication and isn’t sure what to do next, it may be time to consider a specialist. If you are local to Minnesota, meeting with Veterinary Behavior Specialists of Minnesota is a great place to start. If you are located elsewhere, you can look at the American College Of Veterinary Behaviorists‘ website to see if you can find a local veterinary behaviorist. Some may be available to consult with your veterinarian if there isn’t one local to you.
Is The Behavior Dangerous?
While people think of dog bites as being dangerous, cats can do some serious damage as well. Certain behaviors such as aggression may risk infections or be dangerous in other ways. That said, not all aggressive behavior is equally risky so an aggressive cat doesn’t necessarily mean behavioral euthanasia is the best choice. However, if it’s excessively dangerous, then it behavioral euthanasia may be considered.
Is Your Cat Suffering Psychologically?
Much like how euthanasia is performed to end or prevent the suffering of an older cat that is not going to recover from a medical illness, cats with behavior concerns may be suffering in a different way (or there may be an underlying medical problem causing the behavior problem). Excessive stress or anxiety in cats leads directly to suffering which is why cats’ psychological safety is an important consideration when considering any behavior modification plans.
In some cases, your cat may be suffering so much psychologically that they are in a constant state of distress. The environment may not be able to be adequately changed in order to relieve that distress and medication may not have helped. Work can be done, but you may or may not make a ton of progress. Maybe you have tried interventions and they didn’t work even when you did them correctly.
In these cases, behavioral euthanasia accomplishes the same goal as “regular” euthanasia: the cat’s suffering ends. The cat no longer has to live constantly in a state of anxiety, fear, or distress. Rather than forcing the cat to be miserable, as painful as it is to think about, would ending that suffering be better?
Is Behavioral Euthanasia The Correct Choice?
If you’re hoping I have a short, quick answer to the title of this section, I don’t. There are a lot of factors to consider that take into account the needs of the humans, cat, and others. You’re not a bad person for considering behavioral euthanasia as, if done for the right reasons, it actually can be a compassionate choice.
My suggestion is taking the following approach:
- Make sure you’ve exhausted all reasonable routes of intervening to address the unwanted behavior in your cat first. You may not be able to do every intervention possible, but do as many as you can make work.
- Consider medication if your veterinarian thinks it is safe and appropriate.
- Work with a professional or your veterinarian to come up with a behavior modification plan.
- Evaluate if your cat is likely to be rehomed successfully and weight pros and cons of doing so.
- If you are still considering behavioral euthanasia, set up a time to talk with your veterinarian or a behavior consultant to get an objective, non-judgmental opinion on what to do next, discuss alternatives, and possibly get some additional ideas to try first.
If You Do Decide On Behavioral Euthanasia
If behavioral euthanasia is the decision you come to, you will work with your veterinarian or a veterinarian who specializes in in home euthanasia to go through that process. I encourage you to consider in home euthanasia, if safe to do so, to reduce the cat’s stress in their final moments.
Know that you may have a lot of mixed feelings. You may feel relief, guilt, shame, or sadness. These are all normal reactions. I encourage you to still grieve the cat you lost and memorialize them in whatever what you feel is most helpful to you. Grief after behavioral euthanasia can be complicated. There are resources like Losing Lulu available for extra support after you’ve gone through behavioral euthanasia. Above all, be kind to yourself.
