I would like my very old and sick cat to say let me go.

I am struggling to know when it is time to have a vet let my cat go.
I love her. 15 years we have spent together. She used to be an unbelievable athlete. Now getting around is hard for her.
There are other medical issues for her. Maybe tomorrow I let her go.
I love you, Squeeky.

I wish Squeeky could say it is ok to let me go, but I doubt it. She wants to live. Or maybe not.

a reply to: droid56


I can sense genuine love coming from your heart. Whatever you decide, I believe your cat will feel love

I had a cat like that. Started letting it wander outside ( was always an indoor cat, but still had its claws ). It would usually come back same day if it left. Eventually it just vanished on its own volition.

a reply to: droid56

My neighbors cat is 17. He is actually still fairly thin and agile. Obviously not leaping around in great strides. But for being a 17 year old cat, damn that cat is in good shape.

I don't really personify animals to share the same kind of emotions I do a human, so I will not offer any words in either direction. I think its cool your cat is 15 though. Oh hell I am going to just say.... let Squeeky keep living!! Maybe she just wishes she could tell you how much she enjoys your company and wants to just stay until the very end.

I love hearing about super old animals, it kind of feels mystical.

Is the cat in pain ?.... If not, then she probabaly has a lot more time t live....is the cat still bathing herself ?.... If she is, then she's ok and not ready to die yet ...any othe issues other then being old ? ....if she's not eating that could be a tooth problem or problem with her teeth. Have a vet check her teeth......is she still drinking water and peeing or pooping ?... If she is, then she's ok .

I've dealt with this situation more than once.
Give them a bowl of cream and put a pistol in their ear.
Forgive me if I come off as harsh.

a reply to: droid56

Oh jesus Christ, I'm sorry, and I know you wish they could tell you instead of you feeling guilty for "leaving them," which I've experienced before. I'm actually going through the same thing with my cat.

He's 13ish and diabetic and suddenly went downhill. Diabetes are under control, he just came home from spending 4 days at the vet, but once home can't eat without vomiting.

Not sure what else to do (taking him back in the am), but it might be time, if he can't keep anything down.

a reply to: droid56

I have a 15 year old cat that isn't what she used to be, but she is still kicking. I think a cat will let you know when it's time to put them down. If they're still basking in the sun and grooming it's not time to put them down. The cat will let you know when it's time to go.

My cat is likely going to watch me get buried.

Just my opinion, and I don't mean to seem harsh or dispassionate in any way because cats have saved my life -- a long and personal story of course...

But I feel as though a cat knows when and where it wants to go. They will find a place.

Unless there is GREAT suffering involved, I would provide comfort and try my best to return companionship in like kind until Nature took Her course.

a reply to: droid56

One of life's tough decisions.

The thing is to put your friend first.

Is your cat still happy to eat and have a game ?
Or is life becoming a struggle for them ?

You know the answer.

Life is tough at the end ...

Been there, saw that the needle was so fast and so humane.
My old cat was looking me in the eyes at yhe moment she ceased ...

She was 20. Still tough.

You will do the right thing ... !
Sorry you are going through this ...

I have an 18 year old cat. He sleeps about 23 and a half hours a day so...yeah...it's hard to know what to do.. I mean, at what point does it just become 24 hours a day, permanently?

But, that half hour he is up, he's fairly agile, vocal and eats with enthusiasm. He seems happy. I brush him everyday since he doesn't seem to care about hygiene as much as he used to. I also put him on the deck for some fresh air and sunshine. And I tell him everyday that it's okay to stay or go, whichever he prefers, we'll take care of him.

Life sucks, and then you die.

I refuse to hold a cat indoors- and thus I've only had a few cats in my lifetime survive to the point where their mind it body lets go completely.

One had a stroke one night. He didn't want to leave, but certainly wasn't happy with no control of his back end. We had to have him put down.

Usually we don't see the end, since old cats still go out- they wind up in over their heads and fund their place in the food chain.
It's never easy. From where I sit, I have to figure if an average day is worth the pain. Once you get to the point where you're living just to avoid death, what's the point?

That makes suicide an interesting prospect, but when you judge it objectively, knowing for sure things won't get better adds a certain layer of simplicity to the question.
Here's the rub- cats can't contemplate suicide. They don't understand life or death so much.
A previous poster mentioned a bowl of cream and a pistol- is it so bad to go out happy?
I feel that's a better end than most of us get.

a reply to: worldstarcountry

If he graised on cheetos and the tears of our youth im sure he would be barely able to compose a post as wel.

I had a cat that lived to 21 without too much difficulty except for her last year. She started to develop cataract but not too much more. One day she hid somewhere and died.

If your cat is not in extreme suffering I say let her live.

If you can afford it, maybe switch her to a high quality food (if not already) to make things easier.

a reply to: droid56

When they stop eating regularly is the time IMO, 3 years ago I had to put down my 23 year old cat. Hard as #, but it was time. She stopped eating.

Among the greatest honors, as well as opportunities to display human kindness and compassion, is to tend for an aging and loved pet.

I have a 12 year old dog, and a 9 year old dog, among my elderly pets. We had to put down Roscoe when his back started causing him severe pain. Otherwise, our friends time should expire at a time of theirs, or the Universes choosing. Not ours.

a reply to: droid56

Dear droid56,
You have been Squeeky's guardian for 15 years...making decisions regarding her health and well-being.
This situation is no different.

It is now time for you to put your own feelings aside for a moment and think of Squeeky.
If she is suffering and has no quality of life anymore...then please don't make her 'endure' her final days.

I have had fur babies too, and loved each of them more than some people love their own children.
When the time came for me to make that decision...I went to my compassionate vet...and held each one as they closed their eyes and drifted away from me.
Each time I have cried afterwards (for days)...but I always felt that I had "done right by them"...loving them from the first moment to the final one.

That's only my opinion, but it comes with good intentions.
I'm so sorry that it's come to this, but let her go before she gets worse. Seeing them suffer is unbearable.
Best wishes to you,
jacy

What a hard position to be in.
I had to put a dog down once. It broke my heart but he was in a lot of pain.
I don't envy you at all.
Just love her. If she's in pain well you don't want her suffering. If she's still eating and drinking and peeing and pooping I'd say she's not in pain. If she's just old let her be old.
My baby is beside me right now. A tiny Siamese snow shoe. She's only three or four. I forget now exactly when we found her. She was a stray and a tiny baby.
I have had many cats over my life. I'm sixty. It's never easy.
Peace to you and your kitty.

Praying for squeaky

a reply to: droid56