The decision to put down a pet

[Brenda Holiday]

My cat is 15. She's deteriorated significantly in the past year, starting with arthritis. Now more recently according to the vet she has a neurological issue which has caused one of her front limbs to be useless, so she limps and slides around. She still has her appetite, drinks, and wants affection. Her neck is constantly damp from drinking water no matter how much I dry and brush it. I keep her in the laundry room which has become the cats room when I can't keep an eye on her because she pisses and shits on my carpet, now she has given up entirely on the litter box and pisses and shits on the laundry floor.
I don't know what to do. Obviously I am a bit frustrated with this newest development. I'm worried about quality of life. But she's still there, just her body has given up. I'm not home enough to care for her the way she deserves. But I'd feel guilty for putting her down for that reason. I don't know how long she has, she could be gone tomorrow or it could be months. I feel so fucking bad. I love her, I've had her for almost my entire life but I don't know what to do. I honestly wish she was suffering because then the decision would be easy. I feel so guilty. This entire situation and the concept of choosing to euthanize a living thing that is technically not suffering stresses me out. I've raised farm animals, I'm used to death. But this is different.

 

[Tsukasa Kadoya]

Last week I put down my oldest cat. She was 17-19 years old, and up until last year was relatively healthy. Last year she went from 10 pounds to almost under 4, she didn't eat anymore, she was in constant pain due to a bad hip, and began to exhibit breathing problems. She had given up on life, hiding underneath my desk and not coming out. As much I adore her, she couldn't continue to live like this. I didn't want to have her just because, I couldn't stand seeing her wheezing and limping around the house. I wrapped her up in her favorite blankie and with the rest of the family around her she was put down.
I hated having her put down, but she wasn't enjoying life. Her quality of life was abysmal, no matter what I did to make it better.
If she truly is suffering, let her go. She will always love you, and you will always love her.
I know this forum is full of edgy dickheads, but from one cat lover to another, do what's best for her.

 

[Mister Baranavichy]

I understand you brother, it's never an easy decision, but it honestly depends on how you feel regarding her lucidity and if she is not in pain/is happy.

I've had cats in their old ages that have done exceptionally foolish things, not because it was their fault, but because they were just not all there, some examples would be 1 that almost caught himself on fire by simply refusing to move from the lit stove while stealing the food, another would at a very old age with a weak body randomly jump out the window and leave every chance she got, and my last one right now that looks like a worn out rag that just meow's at the window for hours on end in between making a mess out of everywhere minus his litter box.

But unless something that causes him to be in actual pain or suffering happens, he will most likely die the same way all the others did in my arms - And I know it's morbid sounding, but I always recommend that, I know it's personal wishful thinking but I like to think that in a way they appreciate you staying with them in their final moments at home, instead of some cold table in a stressful environment.

I wish you luck with your decision.

 

[Chilson]

I'm not home enough to care for her the way she deserves. But I'd feel guilty for putting her down for that reason.

If you have a cat this ill then you should feel guilty not just putting it out of its misery. If your required to be home in order to care for a pet with age related disorders then that pet should be sadly put down.

It sucks, but at that point your not keep the pet alive for its own well being but yours. Its your responsibility as a pet owner to recognize this and minimize the suffering. And yes the animal is suffering, it may not be intense or overt but the animal is clearly not okay when there is partial paralysis, incontinence, neurological issues and arthritis.

 

[Necrosan]

You'll feel guilty if you put her down and you'll feel guilty if you don't. My dad at least thaught me to think if somebody happened to you and the animal had to depend on itself to survive, would it be capable of doing so? If the answer is no then it's likely time to put it down.

I also happened to have a dog that got old and I knew it was a matter of time before it ended for him. That dog died while I was working and came back to see something nasty, I doubt that will be your case but I would've much rather had a doctor put it down while being petted by me than realizing he died alone in a corner while I was away.

 

[Cats]

It is never ever ever ever an easy decision. Even if it is their time and you know it, in your head you want to be optimistic. The sad fact is that pets are always taken from us far too early. Old age can be painful and if the vet recommends it you must seriously consider the advice. I know you will make the right decision, whatever that ends up being. Please don't feel guilty, your cat wouldn't want you to beat yourself up about this. She would want you to go on and be happy.

if I had my way cats and dogs and all the little creatures would live much longer lives so that they might remain our companions together for life, but then I think that without death, in a way, there would be no true love because everything would become meaningless in a very wrong and unnatural way.

 

[Kari Kamiya]

Now more recently according to the vet she has a neurological issue which has caused one of her front limbs to be useless, so she limps and slides around.

Yes, she may still have an appetite so she may not be losing weight, however, if she can't move proper anymore, it's time for her to go. People put down their dogs and horses and other animals the moment paralysis occurs because an animal is at its happiest when they can walk and run as they please. And cats are pretty vain animals who aren't happy about their potty failures, which is another sign that it's time.

We had to put down a geriatric cat a couple years ago the moment she lost function in her hind legs apparently overnight, and we don't know if her arthritis caused it or it was just her body shutting down. It was absolutely terrifying and heartbreaking to see, but in hindsight we should've put her down sooner because she had renal failure that we had caught early on years prior but it was going to steadily make her waste away. It's not an easy decision to make at all, but ultimately putting an animal to sleep is the most humane way of ending their suffering and saying goodbye to them because they can't tell us in human language that it's hurting and yet we can see it.

Post pictures of her at her happiest. Remember her that way.

 

[Silver Higgs]

Like another kiwi said you will feel guilty either way but you will feel even worse if she passes away while you're not there for her. It will eat your soul having that thought, that you were not there for her on her final moments, trust me. I know it's hard but if you feel/see that she's incapable of taking care of herself, maybe it's time...

Wishing you the best on this trying time.

 

[WilliamDeLaPole]

I wish all pets had tree lifespans.

Best wishes to you and your kitty.

 

[LargeChoonger]

An animal that can't move itself has no quality of life

 

[General Disarray]

When we had to put our dog down, we called an in-home euthanasia service. I don't know if that's something you can do in your area or financially, but the vet tech was absolutely wonderful and our pup actually was able to get up and walk to the patio door and wag her tail before the tech even entered the back gate. We knew right then we had made the correct decision. Her angel had come to help her, and she somehow knew it.

Not having to haul her to a cold clinic and having all of her familiars around her at the time I feel made it easier for everyone.
I still tear up every time I think about her, but we know in our hearts that we did the right thing and you will, too.

Sending the best thoughts your way, you'll get through this. I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[Brenda Holiday]

Thanks all. Not that it changes anything but the incontinence started last night, both my cats have pissed on the carpet before any health issues (idk whyyy they never did this anywhere else we lived)
Its just so damn hard, I've never had an animal slowly deteriorate like this. She still shoves my other cat to get his food (because he lets her), still tries to jump on the couch, etc
I know the right decision. Its just hard.

in-home euthanasia service

I'm going to look into this, thanks

 

[Silver Lining]

The decision to let them go is hard. But I think you already knew the answer when you posted the question.

And that's okay because it's shitty having to decide to let your little one go. I've been there with my own. I'm lucky we were able to share 20 years together but it broke my heart when he started failing because I knew what it meant. He's in a little cat shaped urn now, still close by, but I miss him a lot.

My thoughts are with you and my heart breaks for you and your kitty. There'll be many tears but you can take comfort in knowing you are doing the right thing.

 

[PovertySprocket]

I had to put down my cat after she had a stroke at 21 years old. Even at her age she could jump onto counter tops and zoom across the house.

 

[Picnic_Boy]

Fifteen years in a loving home makes her an extremely fortunate kitty.

 

[Scale Smerch]

When we had to put our dog down, we called an in-home euthanasia service. I don't know if that's something you can do in your area or financially, but the vet tech was absolutely wonderful and our pup actually was able to get up and walk to the patio door and wag her tail before the tech even entered the back gate. We knew right then we had made the correct decision. Her angel had come to help her, and she somehow knew it.

I cannot recommend this enough. We had to put one of ours down due to hip dysplasia and severe kidney problems (the poor girl couldn't even walk and was barely conscious half the time), but thankfully had such a service nearby and didn't have to move her - she passed in my arms and in the comfort of home and family. Absolutely tears at you to have to make the choice, but you still have the right to choose how it happens. I adamantly refuse to euthanize any of our pets in a vet clinic now should in-home services be available.

 

[Baron Reginald]

Hey man, first off really sorry for your situation, it's always super rough when a pet gets to this stage of their life.

Generally, I would say it's always the right decision to put them down when bladder control is lost permanently, since quality of life just starts to go nowhere but downhill rapidly after this. It's usually "the beginning of the end" as it were. If you feel unsure, you can always check with a vet to make sure the incontinance isn't a passing thing like an infection, but if you k n o w then it's best to heavily consider it as something to begin planning for

You can of course keep her alive and relatively healthy, but personally even though it's always hard I think thats the best time to consider doing it. Get them some nice treats, spend some time with them and try to be there when it happens. It's not just for their comfort, but it will help you in the end for the long run knowing you've done it before they got too miserable.

As mentioned above, go in-home service if you can to reduce distress, since pets never like going to the vet regardless.

 

[invisibult plus+]

I think it's best to say goodbye while you can, while her mind is still there. You probably can't drive her anywhere, but make her last day on Earth a special one.

 

[Agarathium1066]

People have said it well so I won't reiterate but I understand the sadness and guilt over this. If its getting to the point the cat can't control itself with where its crapping its time to really consider it. Give her a good day or two before you can let her go then I would really do so.

 

[Masturbator]

personally if i were you i would rather not, i dont think your cat has it long in the world so its best to spend some time together while still can