When do you know that it is absolutely the right time to end your cat's life with dignity?

Question

Matty is 18 yrs old and very loving, still purring and able to jump up on my lap {I am in a wheelchair} and she curls up in my crossed arms. She sleeps in my chair every night when I am in bed. She is down to 4-5 pounds, very matted long white hair,deaf, and gets very agitated if her food bowl is empty. She could eat 1-2 tins plus her dry food a day. The vet recently said her intestines are in a pouch fallen down between her hind legs. So when she eats she has very soft bowel movements practically right away and extremely smelly. She emits alot of very smelly gas quite frequently. She has woken me up at 5:30AM to be fed. She wails. For the last 3 months she insists on putting all 4 paws in the litter box but urinates outside of the box. Last week [just once] she pee'd and pooped on my rug in the bedroom. She is SO loving but I am finding her incredibly difficult to maintain. Deciding whether to put her down is causing me extreme guilt and pain! Should I keep cleaning or say enough?

Answer 1

I know how hard a decision like this can be, I recently had to make the decision to end one of my cats life while he had his dignity. All I can say is that cats like to be clean they hate being dirty, also even when they are in a lot of pain they will still purr and show you a great amount of love.

But you know your cat better than anyone else, and when she has had enough she will let you know, you may ask how do I know when that it is? All I can say is that you will know. She will tell you in her own way that only you will understand. Which is what happened with my cat, he told me he had enough, and I ended his suffering.

I do wish you luck, it is a difficult decision to make but you will know when the time comes. I will be thinking of you.

Answer 2

What is your vet's opinion about how your cat feels physically and her quality of life? Is Matty in any kind of pain or discomfort? The fact that she is neglecting to groom herself and is no longer fully in control of her bladder or bowels are signs that she is beginning to lose her dignity and sadly the situation will not improve.

I have been in your situation and it is heartbreaking watching your beloved pet begin to deteriorate in their old age. Personally, I would recommend that you speak with your vet for their advice, they know your cat's medical history and will give you their honest opinion on what is kindest for her.

It is probably the most difficult decision that a loving owner can make for their pet and is by no means easy. I don't think it's a case of "should I keep cleaning or say enough". I think it's more a case of what is best for Matty, what will cause her the least suffering?

Rainbows Bridge is an excellent pet memorial web site and below is a link to information about when is the right time to put a pet to sleep. I hope that it can help you at this very difficult time.

http://rainbowsbridge.com/Grief_Support_Center/Grief_Support/Making_the_decision_to_put_a_pet_down.htm

Answer 3

My mum recently put down her cat called Mattie....... she had lost loads of weight and was a grand old dame. But she was laying on the floor panting all the time and you could see it was a struggle, you could also tell that she was fading. My mum was absolutely distraught but she knew it was the right thing to do. When she took her to the vet he said that she had loads of tumours and that her paws were so swollen he couldn't give her an injection there.............. My mum was even more upset to think that she had been suffering all of that. Only you can really decide what is right or wrong, but I would talk to your vet thoroughly before you make any decisions. Is Matty in pain? Is her quality of life that seriously poor? How much longer does she have in her? Whatever you decide ultimately will be the right thing to do and good luck.

Answer 4

My friend has just been through this and had to let her cat go with dignity and although it is heartbreaking you know when enough is enough for the cat. Ask your vet what he/she would do if the cat was theirs. They will give you an honest opinion. I think you know really what you have to do and everybody knows how much you love her. Whatever you decide I hope all goes well for you.

Answer 5

i am an animal lover, probally love them more than humans. These decisions are never easy, but i would say that maybe it is time.just you thinking about it goes to show that. I understand that you love her and never want her to leave, but there has to be a point where you have to say goodbye. Its the hardest thing to do, but it needs to be done, she is slowly losing her dignaty by toileting in the wrong manner. please be brave and do what you need to do. I think you are a loving genuine person, by making this decision only makes you more loving. hope everything goes well for you, give her a cuddle from me, and have one yourself. x

Answer 6

The poor little thing. For the cat's sake, do what's right. If she's in any pain or discomfort, or unable to clean herself, you SHOULD have her put to sleep. It's sad, but kind to your feline friend.

Answer 7

you have loved and cared for your cat all her life.she looks to you for everything she needs.now there is one last thing that she needs from you,it is the hardest decision in the world but you have to ask yourself,would i let her suffer if i could stop it?you know what must be done,let her go without any more suffering.god bless and comfort you.

Answer 8

I believe you should not end her life, leave God decide, she is happy to jump up on your lap. We don't kill ours grandfathers o grandmothers when are weak...please please she has the right to live.