I'm moving. My cat is 18 years old. She has always roamed the neighborhood. Not far though. Anyway she really likes the neighbors and they like her. She is so old that she is skin and bones. (i've tried everything to put meat on her bones). Ok the thing is this, I'm afraid she would have a very rough time on the trip with her age and all. My neighbors offered to keep her and she gets along with their cat. So should I take her with me or leave her in the place she has known her whole life? I love her and I want to do what is best for her. I am afraid the trip will make her suffer I don't think she will live more than 6 months to a year she has really gone down hill lately. Thanks for your thoughts in advance.
2006-06-30 16:01:59 · 32 answers · asked by Stand 4 somthing Please! 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Your cat may be "skin & bones" due to a thyroid condition (commonly seen in very old cats) and medication would help her with this. If you honestly think that the move is more than she can handle, which it probably is at 18 years of age, there is nothing wrong with leaving her where she is secure. This shows that you are thinking more about her welfare & feelings than you are your own, and that says alot for your love for the kitty. You could leave her where she's comfortable and let her live out the rest of her life as she has known it for the past 18 years and you could keep in touch with your neighbor so it wouldn't feel so much like a loss for you.
2006-06-30 16:08:27 · answer #1 · answered by boxerpitk9 3 · 9⤊ 0⤋
I would probably leave her with the neighbors - if they are cool with it.
In that case it would be VERY important that you leave the cat some of the things she sleeps on, and maybe things that smell of you, if possible. The old cat sleeps a lot, 20 hrs and more and these times she should feel home and cats do that "feeling at home" a lot by smelling.
You also should give her to the neighbors several days before you move, the cat will be disturbed and in stress if she notices you taking the place apart and all the stress going on. Also you could visit her at the new place and help her to get acquainted.
2006-06-30 16:12:05 · answer #2 · answered by ganja_claus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a 16 year old siamese that sounds exactly like that. She also was very thin the last two years she lived.
I was married for thirteen years and after a divorce had to move out of state. I was so worried about taking her with me. I honestly did not think she would make it all the way if i did. She was definitely not a "people person" type of cat. She liked to do her own thing. We just made sure she always had food and water..shelter when it rained or was cold(as much as she hated it we would catch her and bring her inside) I made sure she had shots and took care of herself very well other than all that.
It was a heartbreaking decision to make. I just was so attached to her even though she was not a regular housecat. I really loved her. She trusted me the most.She knew i cared for her, even though she liked to roam..kinda like a wild cat, she knew where to come if she was tired and just wanted food and rest.
Well, since i realized it would be more stressful for her to make a long roadtrip with me. I decided to let my neighbors do the feeding and all the things i had done for her. I left them some money and food and continued to make regular calls to them every couple weeks to find out how she was.
They are good people and did a great job. We kept in touch regularly.One day they called me . It had by this time already been
9 1/2 months after i moved saying they took her to the vet because she was'nt eating and she was listless. Sure enough, they had to have her put to sleep..They called me first to let me know they felt there were no other options left at her age so i agreed. The last thing I wanted was for her not to suffer in her old age.
Please know, It's got to be in the animals best interest.It sounds to me like you have people who can help care for your cat. At the age it is, I would let them take care of it. I know speaking for myself, i have no regrets. I know she would'nt have lived that long if i had taken her along with me...Good-Luck i hope this helps some.
2006-06-30 16:28:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the cat would be better off with the neighbor. You said she is skin and bones...then why haven't you taken her to the vet apparently she is sick and needs help. Hopefully the neighbor will take better care of her and keep her inside where it is safe.
It is stressful for cats that age to move so that would be the best for her.
2006-07-01 17:34:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave the cat where she is most happy. If the neighbor will care for her, don't worry. Just check in on her every once in a while. Make sure she is euthanized if she becomes too ill. You don't want her to suffer. You might want to have a vet look at her before you leave.
2006-06-30 19:51:00 · answer #5 · answered by Cat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gosh that is really a tough question,but i am going to answer like it is my cat, i could never leave one of my kitties even sick, she sounds like she has some kidney disease wich is pretty common in older cats feeding them canned food usually helps get more fluid again my cats are not just cats they are my furry children i could not love them anymore if they were human children, so the real answer seems is this cat just a pet? or is this cat your child that you love and talk to and sleep next and are happy to see when you get home, if it is the latter take your child with you no matter what, cause personally she might not live a week without you,! god bless you let me know your decision.
2006-06-30 16:19:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are ok with giving up your cat then I would say that is what you should do. If you are willing to keep your cat with you then I would do that. Your cat doesn't sound healthy so maybe you should try and find out why your cat is unable to gain weight. Your vet could run bloodwork to rule out FIV, Feline Leukemia, thyroid condition. If she has been outside all the time she could easily have contracted FIV or Feline Leukemia or even FIP
2006-06-30 16:10:28 · answer #7 · answered by leftygirl_75 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like you already made up your mind but you want approval. You are 100% right...it would be hard on your beloved cat. You should leave her with your neighbors......but before you go give her all your love and attention!!! Good luck!!
2006-06-30 16:06:19 · answer #8 · answered by MNM0103 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would leave her unless you are prepared to keep her inside only at your new place - it is too risky for her to be out side, because she might even try to find her way home - or the people in the new neighbourhood might be cat haters....
to help her get fat feed her canned kitten food - chicken and rice formula
2006-06-30 16:11:05 · answer #9 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let the cat live out the last part of her life at "home"
2006-06-30 16:04:29 · answer #10 · answered by Rocky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋