Putting cat to sleep?

Question

My Sweetie is getting old...20 yrs old to be exact. She has lived a good life but has some health problems now. I found out she her kidney are failing. I've noticed she has lost weight...drinks water alot...and is getting weak. Do you think it is time to make that decision? I hate to see her suffer and it so costly to keep her going back to vets every week. Its gonna be hard since she has been my shadow for sometime and she is very attached to me. How has others deal with this situation.

Answer 1

Kidney failure is quite common in older cats, starting at age 10. While kidney failure is incurable, it can be managed for a while, especially in early stage, and cats can do well and have a good quality life with proper care for several months to years.

Some things that can help are a diet change, treatments, giving subcutaneous fluids, monthly follow up blood checks, etc. But, this can also add stress to a sick kitty, and counter act any benefits. Since your kitty is old, you may just consider giving her a little more time as long as she is comfortable, for both of you to say your good byes. Without the stress of weekly or monthly vets visits. Changing her to good quality wet foods such as Wellness can help keep your kitty hydrated. When you feel she is really getting sick or she stops eating, it may be time to let her go.

Your kitty has had a great long life. So, if you have to make the decision to put her at peace don't feel bad. As much love and comfort as she has given you throughout her long life, she deserves yours in return now that she needs you the most. My promise to all my pets is that when it is time, I will make the choice that is best for them (comfort, no pain or suffering).

Most of my friends have cats in renal/kidney failure. Some do the subcutaneous fluid treatments, some just give their kitties good wet foods and watch the kitties to make sure they are comfortable. Some of the kitties have been diagnosed about 15-16 months ago and are still doing fine. My friends all know though that the day is coming when they have to make that dreaded choice.

Answer 2

Your Sweetie is lucky to have you. You may be able to keep her comfortable for awhile longer, while minimizing the costs by asking your vet to show you how to administer Sub Q fluids. It seems scary at first, but you'd quickly get the hang of doing it. Also, your vet may be able to prescribe something to stimulate appetite - sometimes prednisone or valium is prescribed for that. The valium would also have the added benefit of being a pain reliever & calming medication. Just talk to the vet about any options that might help. Monitor her quality of life to determine when you may need to let her go. My personal thought is that I try help my animals with chronic conditions to live as long as possible without suffering. One word more of advice, & I almost hate to say it because it may upset you, but best you know - because you have kidney disease & she can dehydrate, give some fluids before euthanizing if possible, so that it will be easier to insert the needle in her vein.When that time comes, have a moment alone beforehand. Stroke her fur & talk calmly & quietly to comfort her. Tell her you love her & to meet you at the Rainbow Bridge in heaven - that you'll be there too someday. Tell God how thankful you were to have her & that she's going home & ask him to take care of her. Stay with her if you can during the euthanasia. You'll see that it is not unkind, much better than suffering & is over quickly, & you'll know you stood by her to the last. I'm so sorry for your sadness, but you must have taken very good care of her & she has lived a good long life. Though hard to imagine now, please get another kitty in the future, animals so need people like you. God bless you & Sweetie - I'm sending a prayer your way now.

Answer 3

A wise old veterinarian once told me the following: If you are having a hard time deciding about the future of your elderly/sick pet, think about the three things your pet has loved the most in his life. If he is unable to love those things anymore, it may be time to make a decision. Let's say your cat's favorite things are eating, watching birds out the window and chasing a toy and he can't or doesn't want to do those anymore, then his quality of life is probably not what it should be. You also need to let go. It might sound silly, but he'll know you are ok with him leaving you if you come to terms with it. It is never an easy decision to make, but you can know that you are able to give him peace. I am so sorry for your future loss. It is never easy losing a friend like this.

Answer 4

I absolutely believe there is a point where that decision must be made. However, I don't necessarily believe that is where you are right now. At this point, you don't need to go to the vet every week as you know that the cat is ailing and don't need the vet to keep a running tally, so to speak. As long as the cat is able to get around and has some quality of life, I would say that it isn't time yet.

If it gets to the point where the animal is to weak to move or eat or it in pain and crying or whatever, then for sure the time has come.

I hope that that time doesn't come for you for a time. Good luck.

Answer 5

When to say goodbye is a very personal choice. If it costs you a fortune for such a small gain in quality of life, it is probably in her best interest to let her go. Euthanasia is painless and is the best decision when nothing can be done to ease pain. If she is getting weak, she is probably suffering.

I suggest that you set aside some special, quality time to spend with your cat. Dote on her, tell her how much you love her, scratch her head and hold her close. Take a few pictures of your final hours together. You can tell her it's time to say goodbye. It's your choice to hold her or not when the vet administers the injection. I would want to be there, but there are people who just can't bare to go through it - and that's normal and perfectly acceptable. Don't let anyone tell you that you made the wrong decision. Only you and your cat know what is best.

It's a painful decision, but when she finally goes to sleep, you can know that she was loved, well cared for, and had a full and wonderful life. Make sure you take some time to grieve.

Remember why we keep pets in the first place. They show us unconditional love and companionship. They also look to us to provide the best care and make the important decisions for them.

Answer 6

That is a very personal decision to make. I did euthanize my 22 and 1/2 year old cat last year. She had stopped eating for three days. The vet could have given her an enema, she could have had a feeding tube hoping the sores in her mouth would get better and fluids every day. She was not a cat who gracefully accepted any of this sort of ministration and I did not feel it could help her live more than a few months longer.

At 20 your cat is 100 in human years and that is an excellent life span. Many people believe that we should not take the power of death into our own hands and I believe it is a way for a cat to end its life gracefully and with a minimum of pain or discomfort.

Answer 7

I had a similar decision to make when my 15 year old dog became ill, she too became just an old lady who succumbed to daily fits....in the end she had one that didnt stop until the vet sedated her....you can make the final decision or you can ask your vet for his advise. Contrary to some peoples belief they will advise you well and will help you make the right decision.
Whatever you decide the heartbreak will come, and life goes on.Over a year has gone now and i still think of her every day. But i now have a new little one to share the walks, not a replacement but a new mate....my thoughts are with you both during this sad time...

Answer 8

Over the years I have had a number of cats who have developed kidney failure due to old age, and although they were all my babies, I have had to make the decision to have them euthanized. The timing of such a step is never easy, because you always want to keep them with you as long as possible, however, I feel that I have always known when it is the right time to say goodbyeand I am sure that you will also know when it is time. Be strong, and know that no matter how hard it is for you, you ARE doing the right thing for your cat, and that one day, when you meet up again, she will thank you for loving her enough to end her suffering.

Answer 9

Cats do not necessarily show pain by crying or yowling. Assessment of long-term pain can be difficult even for vets, as animals (and people) tend to adapt their behaviour to cope.
Sometimes the only way is to try using painkillers (only use those prescribed by a vet) to see if your pet brightens up.
Your cat could be in pain if there has been a change in behaviour, a loss of appetite and a reluctance to play or move around, or if your pet is not washing or grooming. It may also be a sign of pain if your cat is restless and cannot seem to get comfortable, is sitting or lying in an abnormal position, seems tense or withdrawn, or has just lost enthusiasm for life.
Purring is not a sign of comfort – even cats in extremes of pain will still purr. Always discuss your cat's symptoms with your vet, as all of these signs can also be caused by problems other than pain.

Talk it over with your vet and your family and friends. Questions to think about include:
• Can your pet still eat, drink, sleep and move around reasonably comfortably?
• Does he or she respond to your presence and greet you?
• Does feeding time attract interest?
Persistent and incurable inability to eat, vomiting, signs of pain, distress or discomfort, or difficulty in breathing are all indications that euthanasia should be considered. You and
your family know your pet better than anyone else, so try to make a reasoned judgement on quality of life. Your vet will help you with this, and will often make a recommendation.
If you are hoping for an improvement in your pet's condition, setting a time limit may be a sensible option. Sadly, few cats die peacefully in their sleep at home. Most reach a point
when their quality of life is unsatisfactory and a decision for euthanasia has to be made.

Living with a chronically ill cat can be emotionally (and financially) draining. Often there is a substantial time commitment involved in care. Not every owner is able to cope and, if there is no chance of a recovery and you are unable to give your cat the degree of care needed for a comfortable life, it may be better to opt for euthanasia. With some invalid cats there is the possibility of a sudden and unpredictable deterioration. If you are unable to make arrangements for your cat to receive emergency care (all vets in the UK have to make provision for this) euthanasia may be a better option.

Answer 10

My 18 year old cat Nigel died this year from kidney failure(diabetes). Because my vet said he wasn't in pain, I let nature take it's course. When the day came he laid in the catbox, I picked him up and stayed with him, comforting him for about 8 hours until he died peacefully in my arms. I hope my death will be that peacefull. All who loved him came to say goodbye and he was aware of them. If he had been in pain I would have had the vet put him down. My heart goes out to you and your Sweetie. She knows you love her and if there is an afterlife I'm sure all the good that has been created will be there and that includes Sweetie.