Advice on when to put cat down....?

[Poohgirl]

I have 17+ year old cat. Physically is decent health I guess. He has diabetes and gets 2 shots a day, and also had an accident this summer and now has a limp and can't jump. Lately though (past 2 months) he has really been acting senile. Cries constantly (never did before), will eat 3-4 cans of food a day if we let him, then not even an hour after eating cries for more food, like he hasn't eaten in days. He has started to pee, well, where ever. He will be walking, stop, squat, and pee. If he is near the litter box he will use it. I have spent hundreds on vet fees and meds since March when he was diagnosed.

Anyway I have been thinking that its time to put him down, but I am struggling with the fact that physically he is not that bad, just mentally losing it. I have not done it yet because I know I will have to live with this guilt unless I am 100% sure it was the right thing to do. If he were noticably in pain it would be so much easier.

Anyone dealt with this before, or have advice to offer?

 

[robinb]

{{hugs}}

I put my beloved dog down when she became senile, blind and incontinent. She simply was not the animal she had been for the previous 13 years. That dog wouldn't snap at the baby and that dog wouldn't poop and pee in the house. It was very sad, but she was no longer living the life she deserved and I am convinced that she was holding on for us. So, we put her down.

I don't think many people are 100% sure of when to make the appointment, but as a responsible pet owner you do eventually need to make that decision. It is much worse to put it off and allow your pet to die "naturally" in pain. Your kitty is relying on you to make his journey over the rainbow bridge easier and he holding on to life for you because you love him so much. You will know when it's time. *wiping tears away*

 

[mrsbert]

We had to put my cat down a few months ago. He was 16 years old. He hadn't been himself for a while and doing things he had never done before. He got sick and wouldn't eat so we took him to the vet. It made me feel better when the vet told us that if it were her cat, she would put him down. We could've prolonged his life but not to his benefit. I really am at peace with the way things worked out. It would have been too much stress on my cat as well as my family. Trying not to be selfish in a situation is so hard to do. My heart goes out to you.

 

[browneyes106]

My family was in that situation about five years ago. We had a cat named Rusty he was 18 and in bad shape. He didn't have but when he was 16 he broke his leg and had a limp afterwards. He became incontinent and began having accidents. My parents ended up confining him at night in a large dog cage with a litter box. He acted the same way when it came to food he ate constantly and cried a lot at night. Eventually my parents made the decision to put him down but at the time our vet was going through bad divorce and wasn't seeing patients for a month. We decided to wait out the month. Well a week before we were scheduled to take him in my dad found him dead in the cage one morning. In a way we were glad that he passed away on his own but he hadn't we wouldn't have taken him in because he wasn't in great condition. The only advice I can offer is really look at his physical and mental state. Is it possible that any of the meds he is on are contributing to his behavior? I would consider that because meds alter an animal's personality and it would be better animal is put down than to continuing living in that kind of condition. I know it's hard and I hope you can somehow get through this.

 

[LakeAriel]

For me the answer is if they are in pain. Unfortunately, that can be subjective. I lost my 18 year old cat last week. She had been diagnosed the month before with cancer. Her symptoms? Excessive hunger and loss of weight. I thought it was thyroid. She was put on prednisone and an antibiotic and picked up for a bit..I gave her all her goodies to eat. Over Thanksgiving she became much weaker until finally she stopped eating and became semi-conscious. She died on my bed with me petting her gently. She did not awaken. I didn't want to bring her to the vet, she was very timid, and make the decision for her. I had to do that a year ago with my golden retreiver, because, though dying, she would not let go.
It is a very difficult and personal decision. For me if they are still purring I don't feel I have the right. There is a difference between being handicapped and being ill. IMO. Everyone is different. I am so sorry.

 

[mickeyboat]

We had to put down our 11 year old cat last summer and it broke my heart. It took several months and several vet visits until we knew it was time. She never seemed to be in much pain, but she had a tough time breathing and eating and stopped using the litter box.

We actually had her put down the week before we were due to leave town on vacation. I felt pretty guilty because us leaving was part of why we did it when we did. Not only did I not want anyone else to have to clean up the mess, but I did not want her to suffer while we were not there to provide any comfort.

My remaining cat really grieved for several weeks after she was gone. He is soaking up lots of extra attention and has taken her spot on our bed at night, so I think he is o.k. now, but we all miss her.

I am sorry for what you are going through. It's hard to know when it's time. But afterwards, I think you will know you did the best thing you could for your beloved pet.

Denae

 

[lisajl]

First off--hugs--to you. It is a difficult decision to make.
I think you know that it is time, but it is your final decision.
I had my 12 year old epileptic cat put down this past June.
It was a hard decision to make but she had gotten so bad.
Physically she was good, mentally-not so much. She started using our closet as her personal litter pan. I must tell you that her eyes were constantly dilated. My boss, the vet, said she may have had a brain tumor.
I don't know, all I know is that it was a tough day. I held her while my boss gave her the injection. It was all I could do not to bust out crying.
I waited till I got to my car, then just let loose.

Think things over, talk to your vet. At least you have had him for 17 years.
You must have taken excellent care of him. I am sure he knows you love him and want the best for him.

Lisa

 

[ntsammy5]

For me the answer is if they are in pain. Unfortunately, that can be subjective.

A hard decision, but when you judge they are in pain, it's time.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes and one cat in particular that was ill, our college cat. Lived thru college years, marriage and kids.

She was also *STARVING* all the time near the end. And yes it was funny to see her try to steal food from your plate.
Also the food went thru her and it was not pleasant for her, probably painful, as I look back.

One day she jumped on dd's bed and went diarrhea all over it in front of me. That was my "signal" to me and I knew it was time.

Now that she is gone I realize she may have not been suffering in dire pain but she was miserable. Starving all the time has to be awful and I feel bad about letting it go on. Yes, she had been to the vet, fyi.

This is really so personal and you will know when it is time.

 

[jmpurdy]

A purring cat does not necessarily mean they are happy. Just an FYI.
It sounds like you know the answer. It's all about quality of life for the cat.
When you know the cat is in pain, the choice is made easier, but when you don't know, it is so hard to make the decision. Cats are very fastidious and when healthy, usually take good care of themselves and don't poop or pee out of the box unless there is a reason, i.e. behavioral or physical.
A the hospital I work at, we stay in touch with owners who have very ill cats and even make a staff note that they may be calling any day to schedule a PTS. Have you had your cat monitored routinely to make sure the insulin dose is correct? Sounds like its worth a call to the vet to discuss options and your concerns. There's no such thing as the cat will let you know when its time or you will know when its time. If only it were that easy! It's never easy and unfortunately (I just went through it this fall with my sweet dog Gracie), we have the responsibility of making this decision because its best for THEM. Best of luck.

 

[dwdreamer]

We had to put our cat down in June. She was also 17 and was always in good health. One morning she started limping and I took her to the vet. We thought maybe she hurt herself jumping off of a bureau so he gave her a shot. The next morning she was much worse off so we went back to the vet. He said that she was having strokes and clots were settling in her rear legs making walking difficult. There wasn't much he could do for her so we had to put her down. I think you should think of the quality of your pets life when you make your decision. Best wishes.

 

[Poohgirl]

Thank you all for your stories/support. It is such a hard decision, made worse this time of year. He is still very lovable towards me, (the kids and dogs, not so much). My ex husband even called me to try and convince me its time, and that he would take him if I couldn't (he was our first cat, long ago). I do know the times getting close. My heart is saying its too close to xmas for the kids, they will always remember. My head is saying he doesn't have much quality of life and deserves peace.

 

[jmpurdy]

My husband had to take her. I just couldn't. Also, if a cat is not feeling well, their behavior could become more agitated and unpredictable, so be aware of that too. I really feel your conflict. One of the hardest things we have to do...

 

[Krista in MA]

HUGS to you and your cat. My guess would be that if he has been peeing where he shouldn't be - than there is something wrong. The non-stop crying and overeating just makes it sound that much worse. Honestly, I would go to your vet, see what they say (I'm not sure if your cats illness / shots could have anything to do with it, and they might make a change to meds or something?). I think it's really hard to let go of a pet when they can't tell you themselves that it's time to go. I think your vet will give you the non-biased answer that you may already know - if they are a good vet, they're looking out for what's best for your kitty

Having my cat put down was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

 

[robinb]

Thank you all for your stories/support. It is such a hard decision, made worse this time of year. He is still very lovable towards me, (the kids and dogs, not so much). My ex husband even called me to try and convince me its time, and that he would take him if I couldn't (he was our first cat, long ago). I do know the times getting close. My heart is saying its too close to xmas for the kids, they will always remember. My head is saying he doesn't have much quality of life and deserves peace.

Well then, give him one last Christmas with you and your kids. Spoil him rotten. Let him eat turkey with gravy. Give him some extra well deserved love. Make the appointment for January and let your ex take him in if you can't.

A few years ago I had to put down my cat Comet who I hated. The "feline was mutual" and she hated me. She was a feral kitty who came to live with me when she was just 6 months old and lived to be 16 years old, the stinker. When she began to not use the litter box I knew it was time. Like I said ... Comet hated me but when I brought her in to the vet be put down she purred. She knew it was time too and that her kitty friend Shieva was waiting on the other side of the bridge.

 

[mrsbert]

Thank you all for your stories/support. It is such a hard decision, made worse this time of year. He is still very lovable towards me, (the kids and dogs, not so much). My ex husband even called me to try and convince me its time, and that he would take him if I couldn't (he was our first cat, long ago). I do know the times getting close. My heart is saying its too close to xmas for the kids, they will always remember. My head is saying he doesn't have much quality of life and deserves peace.

Trying to come up with a day to take my Sebastian to the vet for the last time was hard. I wanted to go in on a Friday so the kids could have the weekend to grieve. We talked about it all week and my DS7 cried in class that week and told the teacher I was going to kill the cat on Friday. I cleared that up real quick with her.

There will never be a time that seems like the right time.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I asked my friend (a dog breeder) when I should put down my then 15 year old cocker spaniel. She said that they look you in the eyes and say, "I'm not having fun anymore." That's the time.

I'm so sorry -- I couldn't believe how hard it was (and still is a year later).

 

[Cindyluwho]

Anyway I have been thinking that its time to put him down, but I am struggling with the fact

You know in your heart when the time is right.

 

[LovinPooh]

I am so sorry that you have to deal with this, especially around the holidays. My 19 year old cat died a couple days before my birthday this year. My mother took her to the vet and never told me what she was doing (she lived with mom). Called me up and told me she was gone. I knew my mother was in pain, and I knew the cat was in pain. And part of me felt relief that she wasnt suffering anymore. She was peeing blood. I was also glad I didnt have to make the decision. And I dont know how my mother did it.
I cherish my dog and cat now and I hope they have plenty of years left, and that when that time comes, they go peacefully at home. That is what I wanted for the cat. But that didnt happen. I know now she is at peace and kicking some butt in heaven. She was a honary ole gal lol.
I know, I went on there.... it still all so fresh.
I agree with a PP. Give her the most spoiled xmas ever... and figure it out after.
Good luck to you and your cat

 

[Poohgirl]

Thank you all again, so much. I think I am going to have a chat with my boys this weekend about what is going on. They can help spoil and love him until its time.