My cat is 15 and my mom says I should put her to sleep?

Question

She has lost a lot of teeth and must eat wet food. I love her but my mom says she is to old. When people get old, lose their teeth and must eat mush, we don't get them euthenized. How can we do that to our pets-friends?
She is old but she has been so loyal to me! I don't know what to do!

She is in total control of her bladder and I doubt she is in any pain because I watch her like a hawk. She has no other health problems.

Answer 1

After working with Vets for several years, you don't know how many times this question has been asked. Most pet owners want whats best for there animal friends and often wonder if it's the right thing to do. My answer usually varies between owners, but is basically this. If you believe your pet is otherwise healthy follow your instincts. Cats, especially inside pampered cats like mine, can live long lives up to although rarely 25 years. Many when the time comes will just go somewhere quiet and lay down and pass on in their sleep, not unlike humans. As long as she is healthy and not showing signs of pain or extreme discomfort, there is no reason to not let nature take its course. If however she does begin to show signs of being in extreme pain, she looses her appetite or anything, it is then time to discuss your options with your vet.

Hope you and your cat stay healthy and happy and hoped this helped you in making your decision.

Answer 2

I had 1 cat that either lost her teeth or they actually had to be pulled to prevent gum disease. She lived to be 19 and did just fine gumming some good-quality Senior Cat food. Here's the criteria. Is she still able to eat soft food? If so, get a good formula for older cats. I'm not talking about the usual grocery store junk. Go to a pet store and get quality stuff. You mentioned that she has no urinary problems. That is great because older cats develop urinary problems easily. We had one like that and the cat actually became paralyzed in the hind quarters. Very sad! If kitty is doing fine on a good-quality food and is still using her box, there is absolutely no reason to have her put to sleep!!! I would suggest taking her to the vet for a check-up because the tooth loss might be an indication of gum disease which can be treated. In this case, I have to say your Mom is wrong. If kitty is still truckin', let her truck!

Answer 3

There is no reason to put your 15 year old cat to sleep because she has lost a lot of her teeth. Your mother is wrong on this point. This is something that your mother is wrong about. My cat is almost 17 years old and has lost most of her teeth and is now eating mostly wet food and is doing fine. She is extremely healthy, except for the teeth problem. In fact, out vet is amazed at how healthy our cat is, and this past year we did not have to give our cat the usual round of shots due to her state of health. 15 years of age is not old for a cat, and losing teeth is not a sign of sickness for a cat, it just means that they had a problem somewhere along the way with not having their teeth cleaned correctly.
Please tell your mother to talk to the vet and to get the vet to tell your mother that cats can live up to 20 years these days, easily, with good health care.
I wish you good luck with your mother and I hope you can get her to understand.

Answer 4

I work at an animal hospital and when people question whether or not they should euthanize their pets the first question we ask is about their quality of life.
In other words, if she is doing well, if she is continent, if she is pain free, and her only issue is missing teeth then in my opinion DEFINITELY NOT.
She'll do just fine on wet food. As you said if she is otherwise fine I think you would be doing her a great dis-service. let her live out her old kitty days in peace.
When/if something else starts to affect her quality of life then you need to ask yourself if keeping her around is selfish or if letting her go and knowing that she is at peace is the right thing to do.

Good luck!!!

Answer 5

I don't think loss of teeth is grounds to have a cat put to sleep. If she is otherwise in good health I would say she's fine. Just give her the soft cat food to eat.

My family kitty lived to be 17 and was in great health up until the last couple months of her life, when she became ill and didn't get better.

Answer 6

Some cats live to be over 20 years old. Fifteen is pretty old for a cat but you should not put your cat to sleep just because she has lost some of her teeth. She will eat what she needs.

I believe you should euthanize your pet if they are suffering and the vet has told you they have no chance. Then and only then.

Just love her and keep her safe. Listen to your heart.

Answer 7

Just because a cat is old, you don't have to put her down.

My mom had a cat for 19 years. He was the most loving animal you'd ever hope to meet. He lost all his teeth, had liver and kidney problems. Not only couldn't he eat dry food anymore, but my mom actually had to feed him human baby food as the canned food for cats was too hard on his stomach. Each time she brought him to the vet, Mom would ask if he was in any pain. No, he wasn't. He was just old. Mom asked the vet to let her know as soon as he seemed to be in pain. He couldn't jump anymore, his hip was getting bad. Finally, Mom just wanted him to make it to 19 years of age. And he did. Mom brought him to the vet a month after his 19th, and the vet told Mom it was time to put him down.

So, if your cat is 'healthy' and not suffering, there shouldn't be any reason to consider putting her down.

Answer 8

I would not put her to sleep unless she was suffering and it doesn't sound like she is. Cats can live to be 20 years old so it sounds like she is doing really well for her age. I just lost my cat to a freak accident in the home and he was only 16 months old. I am hearbroken and would give anything for him to have lived to 15. I would keep her and Love her as long as I could and only put her down if neccessary.

Answer 9

As long as your cat is not suffering and she is not by having to eat canned cat food and she is not haveing major health problems which it sounds like she is not there is no reason to put her to sleep.
I have a friend who has a cat who turned 21 last month and she is like yours. Eats canned food as she does not have many teeth but fine otherwise.

Answer 10

so what if she's old & eats only soft food! if she really sick or too weak to move or play at all or use the litter on her own then yes put her down...but until she can't do these things or is in obvious pain, let her be!! Your exactly right, ask your mom if she would like to be put down if she lost teeth & got old! Bet she wouldn't!