To cherish the "now" with your beloved cat: 5 pet loss prevention books you should read beforehand

When I lost my beloved cat, my mind went blank, and I couldn't believe that what was happening before my eyes was real. Even in that state, my body moved to "do what needs to be done after death" because I had previously gained knowledge about the final moments and post-mortem care from various books.

This time, I will introduce 5 pet loss prevention books that I actually read and found useful. I would rather avert my eyes from books about death, but by being prepared to face it head-on, I might be able to cherish the time I have with my beloved cat even more.

A guide to end-of-life care that makes terminal care easy to understand through "manga"

 Books on terminal care and end-of-life care can sometimes be a bit difficult to understand due to medical terminology. However, "Manga de Yomu Hajimete no Neko no Terminal Care, Mitori" (First-Time Cat Terminal Care and End-of-Life Care in Manga) (Edited by Nekobiyori Editorial Department: Author / Nanaon: Illustrations / Rika Onozaki: Illustrations / Noriko Furuyama: Supervision / Tomomi Nishimura: Supervision / Nitto Shoin Honsha) makes it easy to understand end-of-life care methods through the life of a cat named "Mosuke".

Moreover, it's not just about introducing care methods, but also about learning the determination and mindset that owners should have, which is a good point. It might be a good idea to read it with your children and discuss how to make your beloved cat happier and how to provide a dignified end.

This is a book I recommend picking up for self-care when your beloved cat's nursing care begins or when an illness is discovered.

What are the types of funerals and memorial services? A book about end-of-life care for cats that answers your "I want to know" questions

When you say goodbye to your beloved cat for the first time, you have to research and gain knowledge about what preparations to make and how much money it will cost.

But that task is incredibly difficult. When you are suffering the most emotionally after pet loss, it hurts even more, and when your pet is sick, you might want to devote all your energy to the present moment with your beloved cat and not be able to prioritize "research."

For those people, I recommend "Pet wo Yasuraka ni Okuru Shuukatsu no Subete" (Everything You Need to Know About End-of-Life Care to Send Your Pet Off Peacefully) (Shufu to Seikatsu Sha), which will alleviate your anxiety about end-of-life care for the first time.

It provides detailed information on types of funerals and how to choose a provider, prompting you to deeply consider, "What kind of farewell do I and my beloved cat truly desire?"

This book also contains useful knowledge for after death, such as methods of interment and memorial services, so it is recommended not only as a pet loss prevention book, but also for owners who are experiencing pet loss. Having a copy at home will surely be a strong ally.

Knowing how to protect your cat during a disaster is also a "pet loss prevention measure."

When we talk about "losing a cat," we tend to think of death due to illness or sudden death, but anyone can face an unexpected end due to a disaster.

That's why I believe it's important to gain knowledge that prepares us for "unexpected goodbyes" from multiple perspectives, not just simple end-of-life care books.

"Ketteiban Neko to Issho ni Ikinokoru Bosai BOOK" (Definitive Edition: Disaster Preparedness Book for Surviving with Your Cat) (Sonoko Tomita: Editor / ANICE: Supervision / Shiro Muranaka: Supervision / Nitto Shoin Honsha) is a practical guide that allows you to simulate "what is the best choice to protect your beloved cat" in the event of a disaster.

It not only explains the best evacuation methods, but also includes first aid for injured cats, which is very helpful. It's a book that offers many discoveries like "I hadn't thought about it from that perspective," so it will be useful even for those who are already prepared for disasters.

A practical guide to understanding and coping with cat cancer

Cancer (malignant tumor) is one of the leading causes of death not only in humans but also in cats. After urinary system diseases such as kidney disease, cancer is one of the most common diseases in cats.

In fact, my beloved cat Jiji also died of cancer. I never thought my cat would get cancer... When it happened, I was devastated and realized for the first time that cancer was a very real possibility.

To avoid similar feelings, I recommend reading "Neko no 'Gan' ~ Tadashiku Shitte, Mukiau" (Cat Cancer: Understanding and Coping Correctly) (Tetsuya Kobayashi / Nekonekko) as if it were your own story.

Cancer is a disease for which it is truly difficult to obtain the necessary information. Owners often struggle with treatment choices and how to provide palliative care, so having a cat book specializing in cancer like this is a great comfort.

Furthermore, the supervisor is a leading expert in veterinary clinical oncology, so the reliability is high. It also features visually easy-to-understand illustrations and graphs, allowing you to thoroughly grasp the necessary knowledge from scratch.

I urge not only those who are currently struggling with their beloved cat's illness and wondering "what else can I do," but also those who can't even imagine their beloved cat getting cancer, to pick up this book.

Full of celebrity pet love! A self-care book to cope with grief

I wrote that I would introduce books I actually read, but I apologize. The only book I'm about to introduce is one I learned about on X after experiencing pet loss and wished I had acquired beforehand.

After losing a beloved cat, you feel incredibly lonely. Even though you know in your head that many people have the same feelings or have experienced them, there's a sense of isolation, as if you're the only one suffering this much.

"Pet wo Aishita Hitotachi ga Pet Loss ni Tsuite Katatta Koto: Sakka, Artist-tachi no 152 no Kotoba" (What People Who Loved Pets Said About Pet Loss: 152 Words from Writers and Artists) (Sara Bader: Author / Yayoi Sato, Yasue Motegi: Translators / Film Art Inc.) feels like it has the power to comfort such a heart.

(Source: Amazon)

This book contains expressions of animal love from over 100 prominent figures. Many of the 152 words and 24 essays, which can be considered famous quotes about pets, resonate with my own feelings, providing a little comfort.

I thought, "I'm definitely going to cry," and just checking the inner pages on Amazon made my heart clench... I'm planning to buy this book by November of this year, which marks a significant turning point, six months after my beloved cat's death.

To cope with the deep sorrow of pet loss, it's also important to gain knowledge and information that can protect both your heart and your beloved cat. Besides the books introduced here, there are many other books that can help with pet loss, and since everyone needs different information, I hope you take this opportunity to find a book that addresses "our pet loss measures."

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