When our beloved cats begin to age or fall unwell, the question “Is it time?” can feel overwhelming and heartbreaking. 💔 One of the most common things we hear from cat parents is:

“But… they’re still eating. They still purr. Doesn’t that mean they’re okay?”

Holding on to signs like eating or purring can feel like holding on to hope. But sometimes, these signs don’t tell the whole story of what your cat is truly feeling.

At Love & Toe Beans, we’re here to gently guide families across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Redland Bay and Moreton Bay through this emotional stage. In this blog, we’ll explore what real quality of life means for cats, and how peaceful, in-home cat euthanasia can be a final act of love when the time is right.

Understanding True Quality of Life in Cats

Quality of life (QOL) is about so much more than whether your cat is eating or purring. It’s the full picture of their comfort, mobility, dignity, emotional wellbeing, and ability to enjoy life.

Let’s gently look beyond surface signs, and explore the deeper story your cat’s behaviour may be telling.

1️⃣ Comfort and Freedom from Pain

Cats are masters of hiding pain. Even if they’re still purring, it doesn’t always mean they feel good, cats often purr when they’re in pain, scared, or trying to self-soothe.

Signs of pain can include:

🐾 Reluctance or difficulty moving
🐾 Changes in posture or resting habits
🐾 Hissing or growling when touched
🐾 Restlessness, reclusiveness or hiding
🐾 Clinginess
🐾 Matted fur from reduced grooming
🐾 Purring more or less
🐾 Lethargy or sleeping more
🐾 Changes in appetite

A cat who’s in pain may still eat, still purr, but their days may be filled with quiet suffering.

2️⃣ Mobility and Physical Ability

Cats find joy in movement; stretching, jumping, curling up in their favourite spots.

Ask yourself:

Are they still jumping on the bed or couch easily?
Are they using their scratching pole as they used to?
Are they using the litter tray without help or messes?
Can they reach their sunny window perch?
Are they still grooming?

If your cat is losing mobility, it may be limiting their happiness and causing frustration, depression or confusion. Matted fur is a sign they’re no longer grooming and can be due to pain.

3️⃣ Appetite and Hydration

Eating is a positive sign, but appetite alone doesn’t confirm good QOL. Some cats may eat out of habit or because of medication. Some cats may continue to eat despite having a poor quality of life.

Things to look for:

Are they nibbling or eating full meals?
Are they drinking enough water or too much water?
Are they losing or gaining weight rapidly?
Are they becoming more fussy and picky with their food?

Dehydration, kidney disease, thyroid disease, pain or nausea may all be present, even in a cat who still eats.

4️⃣ Mental & Emotional Wellbeing

Cats are deeply sensitive, emotional creatures. As they near end-of-life, you may notice:

Increased vocalising or confusion
Withdrawing from affection
Hiding more often
Seeming “not quite themselves”

These can all be signs your cat is feeling anxious, disoriented, or emotionally distressed.

5️⃣ Ability to Express Natural Behaviours

Cats love routine and instinctual habits, like grooming, scratching, exploring, and playing.

When your cat stops doing these things, it could mean:

They’re in pain and can’t groom
They’ve lost interest in play
They’re too painful to do the things they used to enjoy

Sleeping excessively or in unusual spots can be a sign of suffering and may be. sign that your cat is trying to tell you something.

These changes matter. They speak to your cat’s day-to-day joy, not just their physical health.

🌿 What True Quality of Life Looks Like

Imagine your cat wakes up, stretches comfortably, eats with ease, finds a warm spot to nap, and seeks your affection. They move fluidly, show curiosity, and purr from a place of peace, not pain.

That is true QOL- a blend of physical, emotional, and behavioural wellbeing.

When that balance fades, even if eating and purring remain, it may be time to consider if your cat’s comfort and dignity are still being honoured. 💔

🕊️ When the Hardest Question Has a Loving Answer

Choosing gentle cat euthanasia doesn’t mean you’re giving up. It means you're listening deeply to your cat's needs and protecting them from prolonged pain or confusion.

Holding on to “signs of life” like eating or purring is natural. But love sometimes means asking the harder question:

Is my cat’s life filled with more suffering than joy?

If the answer is yes, then the kindest gift may be to help them pass peacefully, in the comfort of home, surrounded by the people they love most. 💞🐾

💛 The Gentle Gift of In-Home Euthanasia for Cats

At Love & Toe Beans, we provide calm, compassionate in-home euthanasia for cats across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Redland Bay, and Moreton Bay.

Choosing an at-home farewell allows your cat to:

💞Stay in their safe, familiar environment
💞Avoid the stress of travel or vet clinics
💞 Be surrounded by love and peace in their final moments

We also offer:

🧡Pet Quality of Life Consults - to help guide your decision
🌈 Pet Cremation Services - respectfully arranged with trusted partners
💌 Grief Support Resources - for families navigating loss

📍 Serving Brisbane & Greater Brisbane Region

You can reach out to us at Love & Toe Beans here

For more Quality of Life Resources click here

💖 You Know Your Cat Best

If something in your heart says, “They’re not really okay”, please trust that voice. You are not alone, and you don’t have to carry this decision by yourself.

With gentle honesty and quiet compassion, you can give your cat the loving goodbye they deserve. 💗

We’re here to help, when you’re ready.

With Love (& Toe Beans),
The Love & Toe Beans Team 💛

🐾 “But My Cat Is Still Eating and Purring…” A Gentle and Honest Look at Cat Quality of Life & The Compassion of Home Cat Euthanasia 💞