I wan't to know how to make my cat's life longer, it's 18 years old in human years, and it's already showing sign of aging like falling down a flight of stairs, and falling off ledges. What is recommended for me to do for this cat in it's last days, how can I prolong the cat's life?
2006-08-14 05:36:37 · 14 answers · asked by Steve 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm sorry honey but you can't. God decides when, where and how.. You can't stop anything from dying. Even you!
2006-08-14 05:42:15 · answer #1 · answered by amylr620 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I have a 22 yr old cat -- that's around 100 in human years. She has a lot of problems and eats well, has no problems with urination or bowel movements. She loves to tool around the garden in the morning sun and lie in the afternoons on shaded decks that retain the heat from the morning. I got some steps so she can more easily get up there as she sometimes like to nap there and sleeps by me during the night.
In other words she has a good quality of life. I know she has become stone deaf in the last six months. I feel for her and wonder what it must be like to live in a totally silent world. She still has vision and has no problem moving around the house to food, water and the places she likes to be.
I cannot control how long she may still live. She gets excellent veterinary care (she is having her teeth cleaned this week and I know she may not come out of the anesthesia), goes to a groomer once a month for a combout and bath. She has had about eight acupuncture treatments for her arthritis. Her homeopathic vet gave me a Chinese herbal mixture to put on her food twice a day. Her kidney function is outrageously bad!
I don't fret about "prolonging" her life. She is still living it with dignity and spirit. When things get too much for her she will decide to "check out". She is a very independent personality and will make her own decision. In the event that my vet and I know she is suffering we will give her release to the spirit world.
2006-08-14 13:01:00 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tough question. Have you had him checked by the vet is there something they can do to get his balance under control. My oldets cat is 15 years human, and he has a kidney disfunction I have him on special food for that. My youngest 5years human has a cataract which the vet says is not growing right now but later on she could lose her sight in one eye and that may throw her balance off. I would just make you kitty has comfortable as possible and keep him away from stairs and things where he may get hurt. Good Luck
2006-08-14 12:43:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been there.. my cat was 18 years old too.
At that stage in their lives everything starts to shut down, that is why is is falling down. He is probably having pain and his sight is probably weak too, so don't be moving furniture around.PLEASE take care so he doesn't get hurt.
I didn't want my Bud to suffer so I had him put down. The vet even said that it was the best thing I could do for my beloved cat. I know it sounds terrible, but it's better than him suffering. I stayed with him untill the very end, petting him, telling him over and over that I loved him and that I'd never leave him. It broke my heart, I cried for weeks, but I knew he was now in a better place. After 18 years he wasn't just a cat, he was a major part of my life and I couldn't bear to lose him so I had him cremated. I kept my promise to him, I will never leave him.
RIP Bud.
Love your cat enough to end his suffering.
My heart goes out to you.
Take care!
2006-08-14 13:19:54 · answer #4 · answered by Blaze 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The humane thing is to let your vet check the cat out and see if it has an inner ear problem. They don't just usually fall down for no reason. If the vet can't help your cat then it is best to have it put down, if it is in pain. Otherwise don't let it get to places it can fall down. It might have injured itself when it fell. Good luck.
2006-08-14 12:43:11 · answer #5 · answered by bcringler 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been through that, and it's heart-breaking! The only thing I can tell you to do, is to feed it good food, and keep it as comfortable as possible! Also, make sure it stays warm! Old cats (and animals in general) get painful joints as they get older, and being cold makes them hurt and stiff! Another good pointer, make sure you keep clean water available! A large number of older cats die from kidney failure....keeping clean water can help prevent this! Otherwise, enjoy the time you have with your old buddy! Let it know that it is secure, safe, and most of all loved!
2006-08-14 12:47:30 · answer #6 · answered by southerngirljw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THere is not much you can do. THe cat is already old for a cat. To make life easier for the cat, you can move it's food and litter box to the same floor, and make sure that it has a comfy place to sleep on that floor of the house.
2006-08-14 12:43:08 · answer #7 · answered by dreamlesssweetheart 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't prolong his life, not more than it's meant to be. Spend lots of time with it, give her (or him) extra attention, make sure she's eating and drinking, and help her live the rest of her life comfortly.
I hate to say it, but the falling sounds like it's eye sight is going. A trip to the vet might help. Best wishes.
2006-08-14 21:53:08 · answer #8 · answered by summerlover 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot prolong the life. All you can do is give good food and free the creature from infection, and take care so that it is not pestered by anything that is supposed to cause injury.
2006-08-14 12:44:15 · answer #9 · answered by nkmy83@yahoo.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eighteen is pretty old for a cat. Feed it well and keep it away from stairs.
2006-08-14 12:42:05 · answer #10 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Give it lots of love and a good cat food. Make sure it has lots of meats in the ingrediants!
2006-08-14 12:40:50 · answer #11 · answered by Ford Man 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋