Should I euthanize my cat?

Question

We have had her for 18 yrs. She is strictly an indoor cat. She is slowly but surely dying. My wife says euthanize. I say she should die at home where she has lived a happy life. What do you think?

Answer 1

I have a 22 yr old cat. She has multiple health problems, kidneys failing, lack of mobility because of arthritis, stone deaf etc. She eats all her food with gusto. Tools around the garden every day. Loves to lie in the sun. In other words she still has a good quality of life. I have to take her in next week to have her teeth cleaned and the vets always warn that she may not survive anesthesia. If her teeth aren't cleaned the bacteria from her teeth may get into her system and destroy what kidney tissue she has left.

She had a growth removed from an ear flap last year and the vets said the same thing. She is just a tough old lady and when she is ready she will move on.

I tell you all this as I feel I will know when she has no more interest in eating or moving about and then she will have a peaceful death with vet assistance. Maybe she will have a stroke, who knows?

I feel you have to assess "quality of life". Old age is not a disease. Her senior years have been "happy" for her.

Answer 2

No, of course it's not a reason to euthanize a cat. And yes, people are that shallow and cold. Sadly, though, some vets WILL put a perfectly healthy cat down simply because the owner doesn't want it. The only way they can save the cat is if they get the owner to sign the cat over to them and then what happens to it becomes their responsibility. The Ragamuffin I adopted a couple months ago came with some vet records and a signed euthanasia form when I adopted her from the shelter I volunteer with. She'd been peeing on the owner's bed and when the vet found nothing wrong he told her behavior like that is normally because the cat is upset with something in its environment. The woman said there "has to be" something wrong with the cat and to "just put it down" and that she "couldn't afford" vet visits. The vet convinced her to sign the cat over to him once she signed the euthanasia form and he then scanned the cat for a chip. Ends up she was adopted from our shelter a year ago - so he called us and we came and got her. This woman is now on a "Do Not Adopt" list that we share with all the shelters in the area. First, she wanted to put down a perfectly healthy cat and secondly, she signed a contract with us stating that if she no longer wanted the cat it HAD to come back to us. I hope she NEVER has a pet again. Big surprise - since I've adopted the cat - who I named Mocha Valencia because she has all the colours of an orange mocha - she's had PERFECT litter box habits. I found out the woman had a three year old boy - two years old at the time she adopted the cat. And when she'd originally adopted the cat she stated she had NO children (we don't adopt out to those with small children). I'm sure this child tormenting her was the reason the cat was peeing on the bed. A young child came up to Mocha's cage at the event we had her and other cats and she was cowering and looked completely petrified. But she headbutts every adult she meets and has purred for EVERY judge at the last two shows she's been at. And this past weekend she was awarded "BEST" in three rings!

Answer 3

I recently had to euthanize my 2 cats and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do I still cry alot and miss them terribly. This is a decision only you can make. I remember reading a prayer once about this I cannot remember all it said. I did say though that if I am suffering and can no longer go to the toilet and no longer eat by myself then please put me to sleep. I wish I could remember it all it might have helped you.

Take a step back and look at your cat if she is still happy and independent and enjoying her life then leave her. If she is in pain and no longer eating then have her put to sleep.

What might be a good idea is to take her to a vet and ask his opinion. That is what i did and my 2 where not as old as yours.

My thoughts and payers are with you.

Answer 4

If she is in pain that can not be helped then euthanize. Take her to the vet and see if they can help her. I have known of indoor cats that lived 20 years or more.

Answer 5

I have a 15 year old cat and he is also strictly an indoor cat. No matter how bad he gets as long as he isn't in pain I'd rather have him die at home because that's where he's the happiest. I couldn't imagine having him put down.

Answer 6

That is up to you to decide. Is she still eating, drinking water, using her box, etc.?

Or if she is past that, then does she seem to be in pain? You have to balance the pain against the stress of going to the Vet's office. (Some pet owners avoid that stress by having a mobile Vet come to the house to euthanize their pet, when the time comes.)

Don't just go along with your wife, or you will resent it later. When you decide that it would be more humane to end it, then you will know it's time.

Answer 7

I know you love her dearly, but you can't let her suffer either. If you truly care about this cat you'll humanely euthanize her. I know it's hard to say goodbye, but that's part of being a responsible pet owner. I've had to put down 2 dogs and 1 cat so far and it isn't easy, but it's much more difficult to see them suffer, stumble and struggle.

Answer 8

Is your cat suffering? What is his quality of life?
We are all slowly dying. If she cannot control her bodily functions and is suffering then it would probably be a good thing, but if she is just old and inconvenient that would be a bad thing.

Answer 9

if the cat is suffering with old age diseases such as arthritis or something of the sort, than it would be better to euthanize...all of my pets, when dying, have one disease or other in their old age...if the cat doesn't seem to be suffering...than there's no problem letting it live until its natural death...

Answer 10

I think you should let god take her life! Human beings don't euthanize other old human beings because they are getting old and dying, now do they? Think of yourself in your cats place. Would you want to end your life with a needle in a strange place? Or end your life in a safe place you know and with loving, caring people around you?