The Hardest Goodbye: End of Life Care for Maine Coons#

This is the article I never want you to have to read. But if you are here, it is because you love your cat enough to make the hardest decision of your life.

Maine Coons are such big personalities—literally and figuratively—that their decline leaves a massive void in the home. Because they are stoic, they often hide their suffering until the very end.

How do you know if it is time? Is he just “slowing down,” or is he suffering?

As someone who has stood in that vet room too many times, I want to walk you through the Quality of Life (QoL) assessment and the final kindness.

The HHHHHMM Scale#

Veterinarian Dr. Alice Villalobos developed a scale to help owners objectively measure their pet’s life. We call it the HHHHHMM Scale.

Score your cat from 0-10 on each factor. A total score over 35 suggests their quality of life is still acceptable.

1. Hurt: Is his pain managed? Is he panting or hiding? (Remember, Maine Coons rarely whine; they withdraw).
2. Hunger: Is he eating enough? Does he need to be force-fed?
3. Hydration: Is he dehydrated? Do you need to give subcutaneous fluids?
4. Hygiene: Can he keep himself clean? Is he sitting in his own waste? (This is a major dignity issue for cats).
5. Happiness: Does he still greet you? Does he purr? Or does he stare at the wall?
6. Mobility: Can he get to the litter box? Can he stand up without help?
7. More Good Days than Bad: This is the clincher. If you look at the calendar, was he miserable for 5 days this week?

The Specific Maine Coon Decline#

For our breed, the end usually comes from one of two directions:

1. Heart Failure (HCM): This can be sudden. Rapid breathing, open-mouth panting, or paralysis of the hind legs (saddle thrombus). This is an emergency. It is not a “wait and see” situation.
2. Kidney Failure / Cancer: This is a slow fade. Weight loss, pickiness with food, dull coat.

At-Home Euthanasia vs. The Clinic#

Because Maine Coons are homebodies who often hate the car (unless trained), I strongly recommend At-Home Euthanasia if it is available in your area (services like Lap of Love).

Having the vet come to your living room, where your cat is lying on his favorite heated bed, surrounded by familiar smells, is the final gift of peace you can give them. It removes the terror of the carrier and the sterile metal table.

The Grief of a Giant#

Losing a 20lb cat feels physically different than losing a small pet. The house feels emptier. The space on the bed is noticeably vacant.

Allow yourself to grieve. You haven’t just lost a “cat.” You have lost a presence that likely followed you to the bathroom, “helped” you cook, and chirped at you every morning.

Conclusion#

The price of great love is great grief. Your Maine Coon trusted you to feed him, groom him, and protect him for his whole life. He is trusting you now to protect him from suffering at the end.

It is better to be a week too early than a day too late.

References#

1. Villalobos, A.E. (2004). “Quality of Life Scale helps make final call.” Veterinary Practice News.
2. International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. Guidelines for End of Life Care.
3. Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. How Will I Know? Assessing Quality of Life.