My cat is 18. She hasn't cleaned herself in about 2 months. She has lost lots of weight and sometimes she looks unwell. However, she still eats (just barfs a lot afterwards) and walks around and seeks affection and otherwise acts like a normal cat. Mentally she has changed her personality though. She meows and whines for food almost constantly when she's awake. I had her on thyroid medication according the the vet she had hyperthyroid, but even at the highest dose, her meowing and constant whining is becoming worse. I'v never heard of a cat like this before. She only turned into this within the last few months. It's so hard to decide what to do, when my friends and family see her, they think it's "time" but how do you make that decision?
Answers:
Speaking from personal experience this is one of the most painful and gut wrenching decisions a pet owner must make. I know that it is truly impossible to imagine life without your furry best pal. But, this is the one time that you can not be selfish at all. You MUST do what is best for him/her. You do not want them to suffer at all. You do not want their quality of life diminished. If you love them you have to set them free from any pain or discomfort and suffering they may be feeling. Your cat has had a long love filled life and it is now time to say goodbye. If you were suffering wouldn't you want the same thing?? If and when you do decide to let her go, it does not mean you don't care or love her. In fact it shows just the opposite. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my dog but in my heart and soul I know that it was for the best for her. Best of luck to you in your decision making.
i think you should have her put down. she seems like she is not very happy with life and it would probably be best for her. 18 is old for a cat so at least she had a good long life
oh do not put her to sleep that is so sad i hope everything works out for u with her and hope she gets better if my cat was like that i just would not be able to even think straight but i think unless she is in pain then do not put her down
i would say if she is suffering but the rest is up to you. that's 126 in human years.
Speak to her vet and ask his opinion on her status. If she is suffering, putting her down is a serious consideration. If she's just out of mind now, but not in pain, I can't say that I necessarily would.
A cat at 18 is like a person at someone over 100. Poor thing is really suffering. It's time to let her go. Bless the poor thing.
Honestly, if her quality of life is as bad as you say, then it might be in her best interest to put her down. We had a similar situation with a dog of mine, and we chose to put her down because we felt she was not enjoying life anymore.
It sounds like you've had bloodwork done and the cat is on the right dose of thyroid medicine, right? If everything else is normal, then the cat may be getting senile. It happens to pets, just like with people. I think that as long as a pet is happy, which means she can eat, get in her litter box, enjoy the day, then she is OK for now. If she seems to be in pain, is not able to enjoy the day, and isn't eating, then the time has come to make that last decision for her. It is extremely hard to do, but you do it for her because you love her. You don't do it for yourself. Someone once said that putting our pets to sleep is the price we must pay for loving them, and I believe it.
you frist gotta think, if your cat is suffering or not, and if your cat is, then you need to think if you where your cat would you want to suffer or be put down. your vet would let you know if she thinks your cat should be put down.
you make this decision based on the pain the animal is in. Do you feel she is pain? If you have lived with her for 18 years then you know the answer, go with your gut. Unfortunately it's never an easy decision and you feel awful for a long time..
listen,
you cat is suffering, i know you don't want to put her down, but you have to. i had to do it with my dog. it was one of the hardest things to go through but he was suffering and i would Rather me suffer from his loss them him suffer to live. get my drift. it is the humane thing to do.. you love her right? them do what is best for her and don't let her suffer anymore.. sorry if alittle to the point, but i love animals and i cant stand to see them in pain if there is nothing you can do, and lets face it, she is 18 yrs. old. there is not to much more you can do.
it's hard. My dog that was like my daughter or companion had renal failure. As much as I couldn't bear the thought of putting her down. I knew it was time when the vet told me so and beyond that, caused me more pain to watch her waist away in agony to the point I couldn't take it anymore. The point where I died inside each time I looked at her. You should ask your vet what you can do, if there is anything you can do. if not..then you know when the time is.. but I understand. it's almost like killing a peice of yourself. sorry..
Hi. Try to feel for her. Would you like to feel like that? Act like that? It is not easy parting, but try to decide that you are helping her. Maybe keeping her going isn't.
Good luck. Celebrate the 18 years, don't try to hang on to a few months, especially if she is in pain.
I am so so sorry for you i have done it 3 times and it kills me each time and to all you out there i did all i could i have spent 1000 of dollars to save my animals it sounds like cancer you will know what to do take cat to vet they can tell you how bad it is the cat will all so tell you in her way take care and i hope all is well
Its always a hard decision to make when they have been part of your family for so long. My cat was 16 years old and she was getting really thing and hardly eating. I sensed it was almost over for her. I brought her in and let her sleep on the lounge. I tried dropper feeding her. But as the days passed, she just died in her sleep. I am glad in a way I brought her in, as cats usually go away to die away from their families. When she passed away, my husband buried her in the garden and we have a rock on her, like a tombstone, as a memory that she was part of our family. I hope things work out for you and your cat. Congratulations on keeping her so long.
that is the hardest decision you will probably ever have to make.but it sounds like it time and it's absolutely painless when the vet takes the needle out the pet is gone.Good Luck.
You've got to look at her quality of life. Is she still enjoying what time she has left, or does she always seem in pain and distressed? Maybe her crying is a way to try to tell you that she loves you and doesn't want to hurt you, but she can't go on any longer. Maybe she's trying to tell you she's ready. If she's vomiting a lot, she could even have cancer. Has your vet checked for that? Also, if she's constantly hungry, but then vomiting all the time, she could even have tape worms.
I know it's so hard, but you wouldn't want her to suffer, right? People don't realize that when we force our pets to hang in there, it's for ourselves, not for them. You have to be thankful for the time you've had with her. 18 years is a long time, and I know it hurts, believe me. But over time, you will heal as you begin to realize that she is in a better place where she'll never feel pain or hunger again.
Good luck whatever you decide, and give her a nuzzle for me.
Consult with your vet again, is there anything else he can for her?Maybe a special food will stay down better.If she still has periods of normal behavior I would keep trying until the vet says it's time.
That's a really tough decision to make, and you really have to think hard about whether you're keeping her alive for her sake or yours, or the reverse. Your vet might be able to give you some general advice. I think when she stops being able to eat and move around, and just in general taking care of herself, or if she's in constant pain. Maybe you could see about changing her diet to something easier for her to digest. It must be hard to see her like that.
You need to believe they are not suffering any more.
I feel sad for you. It is hard to deal with the fact that your pet may die soon and I know you will miss her alot. I had to put a cat down several years ago and the decision was based on the fact that she was in severe pain and constantly meowing and crying in pain. We also knew there was nothing medically that could be done for her. So, that was the criteria we used to make the decision.
If she doesn't seem to be in constant pain - I personally would just try to comfort her for as long as she might have left and start saying your goodbyes before too late. Maybe she will pass in her sleep peacefully - knowing she was in a loving home. God bless you, I hope you figure out what you need to do.
If she spews afterward then she mustn't be getting enough food and if she wants food constantly then she must be famished. Have her put down if the vet doesn't know how to fix this.
Don't do what I did..
I had the same thing happen with a younger cat. He was suffering from cancer even though he didn't act like he was in pain so I decided to let him die at home.where he was comfortable and loved.
What I didn't expect was how much it hurt me. I can still see his little face as he went slowly blind and wanted to sit on my lap all the time..he soon started wetting himself and I found that I waited too long. He grew frail and thin but I kept telling myself that I was doing the right thing, but all I was doing was lying to myself and metally blocking the fact that I was going to lose him.
I should of taken him in and held him as the doctor helped him go..as it was.he died before I awoke one morning.so in the end he was alone.scared..and I wasn't there.
Your cat sounds like it's in pain.that's why the constant meowing. She's confused and doesn't know why she hurts.
This will be a hard thing to do, so have someone go with you..to drive you home afterwards.but take her to the vets. Let her go..let her go.
The only thing to consider when making this decision, is "is the animals quality of life affected?" that is both mentally and physically. u might find her whining difficult but is she still happy to be alive or has life become a joyless misery for her? If she still has enjoyment left in it, I dont think you should, but if she has none or if she is suffering then I think its the last act of kindness you can show her and take her discomfort away.
When you do eventually decide that it is time, either now or later, try and get the vet to come to you and this will distress her less as she can curl up and your lap and be in a place she knows and loves without having to be stuffed in a carry case and taken to a strange vets.
You have my sympathy, I wish you have the wisdom to make a good decision.
When a pet isn't enjoying or having the quality of life. it is your responsibility to end that pets life if you truly care 4 that pet
It is very difficult to make the decision to let a pet go. They can become like our children, so it is a very tough decision. Cats and dogs can get dementia, just like humans, and this sounds like this is what is happening to your cat. If she is not cleaning herself, and barfs after she eats, this is not a good sign. If you are having to clean her, although I'm sure you don't mind, because you love her, do you think that she is comfortable with that. Cats are usually very independent and fastidious creatures and any of my four would be very upset, if they could not clean themselves. One of my friends went through this with two of her cats, and she finally had to decide to have them put to sleep as their quality of life was so diminished. They were both on thyroid meds also, but after awhile, it was not making any difference. If she is losing weight, and looking unwell, this is also a sign of progressive sickness. You know her best, do you think she is enjoying her life? Does she seem to be in pain? You can discuss all of these things with your vet and see what he or she recommends. She could have something else going on like an infection or cancer, and may just need to be treated and she will have a year or two left. If she is losing a lot of weight, she is probably constantly hungry, and if she is barfing, she is not going to gain any weight either. Take her for a checkup and talk to the vet, and then you can decide what is the next step. I will say a prayer for you and your fur baby. Best of luck and health to you both.
You have received so many thoughtful and heart-felt answers.
My cat was put down five years ago and this made me cry because of all the kindness expressed by the people who answered. It's a part of your family and it is very difficult to think this through but you certainly got very good answers.
hi I'm so sorry for you and your pet I'm going through the same thing with my poodle he is 16 and its so hard i just asked my vet this question today and he said this! ask yourself what is your pets quality of life! not how well you take care of him or her or how much you love it but how do you think you would feel if it was you and ask yourself is your cat just existing.. i think sometimes our pets just hang on for us. because they know how much we would miss them.. also know that you can have your pet cremated it cost around 200.00 .good luck and I'm sorry that you have to go through this:(
Sometimes it takes a couple of weeks, and a few thyroid level "re-checks" or tests to make sure your kitty is benefiting from the medication. A few months is not that long. Sometimes, there may be an underlying problem that is just as concerning such as, Kidney Disease or liver problems, that also need to be addressed. Has she been checked for diabetes?
Well, I'm sure you've pursued all the avenues you can by now. The best advise is to take a look at your friend's quality of life.. maybe put yourself in her place. What is the kindest thing you can do for her at this point? Remember she has provided you with years of unconditional love, and trust. If you think she is suffering, and more tests and trial medications might bring more stress, then it might be "time." If you two are fighters, and you think she might be up to different approaches to therapy in making her well, then I suggest you try them.
Myself, I think the most humane thing to do for Her is, don't let her suffer. Don't drag on her agony if a doctor can help with: advise, medications, holistic treatments, or even aid in hospice care (IE: giving symptomatic treatment until her time comes naturally). And. try to think of Her first. not of her Absence.
i truly understand what you are going through, because i had to make the decision to put my best friend to sleep Tommy (my cat)
he was 16 yrs old and my cat was doing kind of the same thing your cat is . i can't say it's easy to take that step but it was the best thing for Tommy he was just holding on for me , i had to tell him it was OK to go to heaven , and when Tommy went to sleep i was holding him and he just looked up at me and was purring so loudly , i hadn't heard him purr like that for awhile. i know my Tommy is not suffering anymore. how i remember Tommy was i plant a tree where i laid him to rest, so i can know everyday how happy he made me. also i had to give Tommy to God so that it would help me with the loss of Tommy. my prayers are with you
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I find it a little disturbing how people here seem to be easily swayed by the decision to put their beloved pet down.
ReplyDeleteI fully understand that if you cat can longer eat and stopped seeking affection as cats do, the it is obvious. My mothers cat has recently been diagonsed with cancer after she was drolling and this was at the PDSA where we took the cat, they said that the cat has a tumour under its tongue and its best to put to sleep whilst it under sedation but my mother refused since other than the drooling she was eating, drinking and cleaning, well that was 4 weeks ago, originally she was told it probably die by the end of the week.
Furthermore, I am a little unsure if they know what is wrong with the cat since they have not carried out a biopsy, so I have asked them to do this now. Whilst the cat can barely clean, it is eating in small amounts, however it still showing affection by purring and the last Vet we seen at the PDSA did say the sometimes people are a little eratic and quick at making the decision to put an animal down, I'm sure one would not do this with an person if he was unable to communicate properly so why with a cat and once we know the cats time has come, that if it is cancer we will make the right decision which is not selfish and put the animal to rest, like humans cats have only 1 life and we must allow them to live to the end.