how do you decide to put a pet down?

Question

My cat is 18. She hasn't cleaned herself in about 2 months. She has lost lots of weight and sometimes she looks unwell. However, she still eats (just barfs a lot afterwards) and walks around and seeks affection and otherwise acts like a normal cat. Mentally she has changed her personality though. She meows and whines for food almost constantly when she's awake. I had her on thyroid medication according the the vet she had hyperthyroid, but even at the highest dose, her meowing and constant whining is becoming worse. I'v never heard of a cat like this before. She only turned into this within the last few months. It's so hard to decide what to do, when my friends and family see her, they think it's "time" but how do you make that decision?

Answer 1

Speaking from personal experience this is one of the most painful and gut wrenching decisions a pet owner must make. I know that it is truly impossible to imagine life without your furry best pal. But, this is the one time that you can not be selfish at all. You MUST do what is best for him/her. You do not want them to suffer at all. You do not want their quality of life diminished. If you love them you have to set them free from any pain or discomfort and suffering they may be feeling. Your cat has had a long love filled life and it is now time to say goodbye. If you were suffering wouldn't you want the same thing?? If and when you do decide to let her go, it does not mean you don't care or love her. In fact it shows just the opposite. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my dog but in my heart and soul I know that it was for the best for her. Best of luck to you in your decision making.

Answer 2

It is very difficult to make the decision to let a pet go. They can become like our children, so it is a very tough decision. Cats and dogs can get dementia, just like humans, and this sounds like this is what is happening to your cat. If she is not cleaning herself, and barfs after she eats, this is not a good sign. If you are having to clean her, although I'm sure you don't mind, because you love her, do you think that she is comfortable with that. Cats are usually very independent and fastidious creatures and any of my four would be very upset, if they could not clean themselves. One of my friends went through this with two of her cats, and she finally had to decide to have them put to sleep as their quality of life was so diminished. They were both on thyroid meds also, but after awhile, it was not making any difference. If she is losing weight, and looking unwell, this is also a sign of progressive sickness. You know her best, do you think she is enjoying her life? Does she seem to be in pain? You can discuss all of these things with your vet and see what he or she recommends. She could have something else going on like an infection or cancer, and may just need to be treated and she will have a year or two left. If she is losing a lot of weight, she is probably constantly hungry, and if she is barfing, she is not going to gain any weight either. Take her for a checkup and talk to the vet, and then you can decide what is the next step. I will say a prayer for you and your fur baby. Best of luck and health to you both.

Answer 3

Sometimes it takes a couple of weeks, and a few thyroid level "re-checks" or tests to make sure your kitty is benefiting from the medication. A few months is not that long... Sometimes, there may be an underlying problem that is just as concerning such as, Kidney Disease or liver problems, that also need to be addressed. Has she been checked for diabetes?
Well, I'm sure you've pursued all the avenues you can by now... The best advise is to take a look at your friend's quality of life.. maybe put yourself in her place. What is the kindest thing you can do for her at this point? Remember she has provided you with years of unconditional love, and trust. If you think she is suffering, and more tests and trial medications might bring more stress, then it might be "time." If you two are fighters, and you think she might be up to different approaches to therapy in making her well, then I suggest you try them.
Myself, I think the most humane thing to do for Her is, don't let her suffer. Don't drag on her agony if a doctor can help with: advise, medications, holistic treatments, or even aid in hospice care (IE: giving symptomatic treatment until her time comes naturally). And... try to think of Her first... not of her Absence.

Answer 4

I feel sad for you. It is hard to deal with the fact that your pet may die soon and I know you will miss her alot. I had to put a cat down several years ago and the decision was based on the fact that she was in severe pain and constantly meowing and crying in pain. We also knew there was nothing medically that could be done for her. So, that was the criteria we used to make the decision.

If she doesn't seem to be in constant pain - I personally would just try to comfort her for as long as she might have left and start saying your goodbyes before too late. Maybe she will pass in her sleep peacefully - knowing she was in a loving home. God bless you, I hope you figure out what you need to do.

Answer 5

The only thing to consider when making this decision, is "is the animals quality of life affected?" that is both mentally and physically. u might find her whining difficult but is she still happy to be alive or has life become a joyless misery for her? If she still has enjoyment left in it, I dont think you should, but if she has none or if she is suffering then I think its the last act of kindness you can show her and take her discomfort away.
When you do eventually decide that it is time, either now or later, try and get the vet to come to you and this will distress her less as she can curl up and your lap and be in a place she knows and loves without having to be stuffed in a carry case and taken to a strange vets.
You have my sympathy, I wish you have the wisdom to make a good decision.

Answer 6

Ask your vet with the condition that she has been diagnosed with, is she suffering. Will the suffering get worse? If he says that she is really suffering then you will have to make that really hard choice weather or not to put her down. My cat of nine years was loosing his hair left and right, vomited tons (but still ate), developed a rotten tooth, didn't have kitty leukemia, and started having trouble balancing on the back of chairs and couches. I had my vet do $800 worth of tests and treatments and in the long run, my cat was suffering and nothing could be done for him. I had him put down the day before Valentine's Day. I buried him in the cold rain the next day. I sincerely hope that you don't have to put her down. She is like part of your family and means a great deal to you!

Answer 7

It sounds like you've had bloodwork done and the cat is on the right dose of thyroid medicine, right? If everything else is normal, then the cat may be getting senile. It happens to pets, just like with people. I think that as long as a pet is happy, which means she can eat, get in her litter box, enjoy the day, then she is OK for now. If she seems to be in pain, is not able to enjoy the day, and isn't eating, then the time has come to make that last decision for her. It is extremely hard to do, but you do it for her because you love her. You don't do it for yourself. Someone once said that putting our pets to sleep is the price we must pay for loving them, and I believe it.

Answer 8

Don't do what I did....
I had the same thing happen with a younger cat. He was suffering from cancer even though he didn't act like he was in pain so I decided to let him die at home...where he was comfortable and loved.
What I didn't expect was how much it hurt me. I can still see his little face as he went slowly blind and wanted to sit on my lap all the time....he soon started wetting himself and I found that I waited too long. He grew frail and thin but I kept telling myself that I was doing the right thing, but all I was doing was lying to myself and metally blocking the fact that I was going to lose him.
I should of taken him in and held him as the doctor helped him go....as it was.....he died before I awoke one morning...so in the end he was alone...scared....and I wasn't there.

Your cat sounds like it's in pain...that's why the constant meowing. She's confused and doesn't know why she hurts.
This will be a hard thing to do, so have someone go with you....to drive you home afterwards...but take her to the vets. Let her go....let her go.

Answer 9

You've got to look at her quality of life. Is she still enjoying what time she has left, or does she always seem in pain and distressed? Maybe her crying is a way to try to tell you that she loves you and doesn't want to hurt you, but she can't go on any longer. Maybe she's trying to tell you she's ready. If she's vomiting a lot, she could even have cancer. Has your vet checked for that? Also, if she's constantly hungry, but then vomiting all the time, she could even have tape worms.

I know it's so hard, but you wouldn't want her to suffer, right? People don't realize that when we force our pets to hang in there, it's for ourselves, not for them. You have to be thankful for the time you've had with her. 18 years is a long time, and I know it hurts, believe me. But over time, you will heal as you begin to realize that she is in a better place where she'll never feel pain or hunger again.

Good luck whatever you decide, and give her a nuzzle for me.

Answer 10

A cat at 18 is like a person at someone over 100. Poor thing is really suffering. It's time to let her go. Bless the poor thing.