What are the signals that an old cat is dying?

Question

My 13 year old cat has an incurable kidney problem. I dont like playing God, but I dont want him to suffer.

Answer 1

Look at his quality of life, does he seem happy, is he eating and drinking. My cat is 18 and a half and slao has kidney problems but he has a Fortkor tablet once a day, a steroid and a vitbee jab once a month he is doing remarkably well, in fact he had a punch up with one of the dogs yesterday, he won, and is still happy and playful. Give your cat all the love you can, for then he will know he is wanted, and he will tell you when it is time. I promise you will know when you have to make the decision, have a chat with your vet too, but whatever you remember the life he has had and all the good times, yes it will be tough, but you will come through and if you do decide to have him put to sleep you will be safe in the knowledge that you helped him out of any pain he might be in before the real suffering had begun. I cuddle my Korky every day and I tell how much I love him and to let me know when he can't go on. I am not mad just a very caring owner. I didn't get the chance with my cat Harvey he died at the vets.
Be strong for cat, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Answer 2

I think you have to play god really, I mean what would your cat do if you were in his shoes, or paws, I say remember the good times we can't live forever Cats Dogs and even humans, better to get it over with and end his suffering. My dogs sat next to me as im typing smiffing his BTM guess hes not fussed , so dont you be. Go and buy another one and call him by the same name that will make you feel better ( I did with three different dogs and got 35 years out of all three ) good innings for little dogs

Answer 3

There would desire to be lots of issues inflicting your cat to unfastened weight, a number of the situations are severe yet plenty are treatable, as an occasion, an overactive thryroid gland would reason weightloss, behaviour variations and matts in the coat. that's amazingly risky if left untreated yet while a cat is having therapy it could have a incredibly plenty widespread existence expectancy. 13 remains fairly youthful for a cat. you're truthfully doing the main appropriate difficulty taking her to the vets they might have the potential to learn her and doubtless carry out a little blood tests or different investigations to ascertain what the subject is. stable success with all of it!

Answer 4

Awh such a sad question.
As others have said, in experience usually the signs are lack of desire to eat, loss of bladder functions and generally having no energy to do anything except sleep. On the contrary to what others have said when Marcy was dying she drank all the time. Avoided all food but could not get enough of water.

When it's really time or he's suffering too much I'm sure he'll let you know.

Best wishes, I know it can be a terrible time.

Answer 5

Usually a cat will not die out in the open or around it's owners. He will find a quiet place away from the family, possibly trying to get outside or going out and never coming back. Eating will decrease as will activity. It's always hard losing a pet but him suffering is so not fair. Good luck and I'm sorry you are having to go through this!

Answer 6

My friend had a cat with a kidney problem, they probably should have put him to sleep as soon as they realized he wasn't eating anything because after that point it go bad quickly. I'm sorry to hear about your cat but if he starts to look like he's suffering or stops eating, it's probably time.

Answer 7

At 20, Martha just slowed way down. She didn't play anymore, and she spent all her time in her box sleeping. It became more noticeable as the end approached. She also started talking to herself. She'd be in the room alone, and it almost sounded like she was howling. I guess it was her way of expressing pain or discomfort. But she also made the usual noises.

She pooped in the living room a few times.

Those were the initial signs that we could see. At the actual end, she just stopped moving. She laid on the couch and didn't get up. I came home from work to take her to the vet, and because she was so limp, I just put her in her box. She never protested, even though she used to hate car rides.

Answer 8

Cats do have fragile kidneys and dry pet foods do not help. 13 is not very old but if your cat is not eating and looks dejected, it is time to release it without inflicting more pain. I had to make that decision recently and it was heart breaking. The cat knew when I took him to the vet. I left the carrier open and he did not try to get out of it or escape. Clearly he had had enough. I felt like a murderer, but I knew it was the most loving and kind thing I was doing for him. I still miss him dreadfully. You have my sympathy.

Answer 9

I had an old cat who when she finally began to go went really quickly - I think she knew because she disappeared for several days (and some believe they do this to go away and die in dignity) - she returned after a few days of really bad weather, absolutely drenched and looking really thin - I knew then that it was time to let her go.

You can tell by the eyes (well I could with my cat after having her for 17 years) once they went (I don't mean she went blind) - you will know that its time to say goodbye.

Answer 10

My poor cat had cancer and the vet told me that as he was not at the time suffering, to look for anything he did differently to normal, unfortunately for me, he was completely normal until the day he died as he always avoided our table in the lounge for some reason, but that morning he was lying underneath it, it was then i knew i had to get him to the vets, unfortunately he died in the car on the way there...so , i hope this helps.