My cat died, but her tail moved. Why do cats twitch after death?

These are the typical signs of a dog dying, The twitching may just be reflexes, and the mouth opening and closing is the unconscious brain which is not getting oxygen (because the heart already stiopped beating) telling the lungs to breathe. But, at that time the dog is already dead. I am sorry for your loss.

I wouldn't worry overly about the twitching when they are asleep as many animals make active movements when dreaming. Your cat is likely simply twitching its skin because it is excited. As long as it is healthy and not showing discomfort when toileting I wouldn't worry about it. If it is really concerning you I would go to the vet for peace of mind.

Gentle twitches can occur during relaxation or even during sleep. As long as Mila is otherwise eating, drinking, and acting normally, there is likely no reason for concern. If anything changes with Mila's overall behavior or energy level, it is worth taking a trip to the vet. I hope that all goes well!

What a horrible thing to come home to, I'm very sorry! Some cats can die sooner than 15 or 16, it all depends on their health. It could be that TC had a serious illness, such as cancer, that she didn't show any outward signs of, and that's what caused her to pass away. When cats pass away, the muscle that help close the eyes and mouth relax, so that's why her eyes and mouth are open, it doesn't mean she suffered. Honestly, without seeing her in person, I can't tell you if she did suffer or not, but I recommend taking her into the vet in the morning. The vet can do a necropsy (an autopsy for animals) that may give the cause of death, and give both you and your boys peace of mind. If you do plan on doing that, I recommend placing her in a bag, and possibly keeping her in the garage overnight. If it's very cold where you are, the cold temperature of the garage will slow down the decomposition process. Again, I'm sorry for your loss :-(

Yes that could be a side effect from the sedation. If so, the movement will come back as soon as she is no longer groggy and feeling the effects of the sedation. It is also possible that she sprained her tail. Often times when this happens the tail will just "hang" down. Again, it will resolve with time (about 5-7 days). Have you felt the whole tail to see if there is any swelling or pain? If not, I suggest you do that to see if there is pain. If there is pain then it is more likley . an injury and not from the sedation. If you are really worried about the tail I suggest you call your vet and ask them since they have access to her medical history (like what drugs they used for sedation, etc). Hope this helps.

Your cat may have had an injury to the tail that cut off the blood supply and that piece died. Your cat should be checked by your vet to see if there is any repair or further damage that should be addressed.

Hello. I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Eppie. Many changes happen during the dying process. The heart slows, blood pressure rises & then falls, & oxygen is redirected away from limbs & muscles to the brain & internal organs. Often there are strange & abnormal movements, but these are totally involuntary. It is very, very unlikely that Eppie was aware at this point, so there was no conscious effort to control things, & blessedly, pain & discomfort disappear. Please accept my condolences on her passing & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.