I had to have my cat put to sleep today?

Question

He was only 14. Other people have pets for over 20 years. I at least was able to hold him and say goodbye and I think he knew what was happening. He nuzzled my neck and cried before I handed him to the vet. How do you get over this? I don't think I ever want to have to go thru with this ever again.

Answer 1

Raymond R, I know just how you feel. I had to put my baby girl down on July 19, 2007. It was so hard. I cried while writing the check for the services.

My baby girl kitty was only 14 too. I agree, others seem to live longer. But she lost so much weight and was just not feeling good. It was wrong for me to try to hold on as much as I did. She was under anesthesia when I last said goodbye. The vet said her liver did not look good, plus she supposedly had hyperthyroidism.

It is the hardest but kindness thing we can do when they are so sick. You will get over it but your kitty's memories and pictures will be there to get you through. I am so sorry about your lost, but know that I know exactly how you are feeling right now. The pain is excruciating.

One day, at the right time, you and I may get another kitty to love and take care of.

Again, I am so so sorry for your lost.

Answer 2

Aw, I'm so sorry sweetie. Many of us have been there and know how hard it is.
Take heart that he probably didn't know what was happening - he probably just didn't like being at the vet but didn't feel good and he knew that's why you brought him to the vet, to give him the good care you always gave him. And as always he was nuzzling up to you for comfort, which is what you gave him.
That's the best way for kitty to go.
And you have love in your heart, so when you're ready, don't be afraid of giving another pet a great home and lots of love. Good memories of love last longer than the memory of the heartache, that's why we all keep going back for more. Don't you believe that those 13 years of companionship were worth it? So, be sad and mourn, and then when you're ready, honor the memory of your pet by bringing a new one into your heart.
Good luck.

Answer 3

i don't know that you ever 'get over' it.it becomes a part of you.you may always see that moment of life lost when the reflection is just sorta...gone.i do.he was a golden tabby with long whispy hair.he was funny.he lived in a glass-blowing shop&tho generally clumsy as a demented ox he would winf thru the most delicate stems on the bartop never knocking a single one off.he was picked up in the middle of a desert winding-highway as a kitten by my X boyfriend.they were both almost crushed flat.i remember everything.i can still see myself meeting him.still feel him.when the light left i could not stand it.so when soon,on my birthday,on a trip,in the desert,while from wagon-wheel b&broom[in a1b town],i heard a baby crying,from somewhere,i wanted nothing to do with it.she however had made her decision.seen me from atop a 50ft tree overhangin hotel & decided.i said,"she's ugly.i don't want that wet rat-cat-thing!".she was the most beautiful 1/2lb of 1/2 drowned uglybeasty i'd ever seen.i refused.a clerk took her.turnin roomward 4smokes mid-b'day dinner:night.sudden thunder&flash&the world turned rainwall.deafenin.a sound emerged bhind 10ft chainfence black w/weight of 15ft reeds densepresst against it&somewhere behind barrior,bushes,blackwater dark,singing,was 1/2lbo1/2drowninkitteny vocalist.called her magix cuz she was.never seperated id retrieve her besodden from puddle-hidin ever time she made an impossble escape during a rainstorm.to wait for me.to prove that id find her.came 2 ks2 convince Xsis not 2ope'er wrists.magix2 come along.always.then Xdad+Xster ganged upon me made me feel guilty 4wantin2 take mag w/me.onlyb gon 2/3wks.right?wrong.horrible thing myXster.awful Xda.skip to current scene:still stuck in ks got Xster out.just found mags not comin-long promised.fillin backpax 2trek 2dallas & broken-legged,get my cat back.Xda sed upon proddin,"no,she's not ok.she ran away last summer."7.13.6 precisely 1 day til our sameday bday.so im grieving&hopin not-knowns killin me.Xster wont pickup.filthy coward.need information.workin on makin my magix the worlwidewebs most famous missin black cat.google her to help.add her 2friendz myspace.link her to you and bring a little magix w/u whereever u go so she can come home.
i wont stop searchin til ive found her.itz worth it,friend.some things just arent meant to end.
-s

Answer 4

Oh I am so sorry. There is little a stranger can say. I have been there and the sadness is better than the anger you would feel if someone had run over it or whatever. He had a pretty long life, the fact you didn't cop out at the end of it means you were there for your cat in his life cycle. Be proud of carrying out your responsibilities. In time you may feel like volunteering at a shelter for cats, or see a stray that needs you. Or you may feel tomorrow you need a new cat to give a good home to as you grieve the loss of your old one. Trust me, if you love pets you will do this again and again.

The circle of Life :)

Answer 5

I feel your pain. I recently had to put a kitten down that wasn't even 2 months old yet. I have owned, raised, and fostered hundreds of cats and have had to go through this a lot of times. Not to mention the times they have gotten eaten by dogs and ran over. It is really hard at first. Even worse since you had to do the deed. It will get easier as time goes by. I suggest maybe getting a new kitty to take your mind off of it. I have always been a believer of when someone dies, it is equalized by a birth. No matter what, death is something you have to deal with. Although a lot of cats can live past 20 years, it all depends on the kitty.

Answer 6

I just had to put my cat to sleep this morning. He was only 8 and we had a cat in the past who lived to 22 and have one now who is 12 or so.

It sure was tough for us also. In a matter of days he took a swing for the worse, but he did not appear or act to be suffering (while I know they don't always show it, it makes it very tough). And, in fact last night he seemed little better and this morning he was up and moving around some.

While, he still was obviously not well (heavy breathing) it just made it hard. The thing bothering me now is if I made the right decision or not. He had fluid in his lungs and vet said she thought no matter what he did he was not going to make it much further...

Sorry to hear about your cat and as I also had to do this today I feel your pain also.

Answer 7

When we adopt a cat, there are two things we have to vow. One is to give them the best we can, and the other is to give them release when that terrible time comes. The first is the easy part, and the second is the most difficult. I have been though the second part, and it is extremely difficult. We never get over it. There are support groups you can consider joining if it becomes difficult to carry on your normal duties. One of the hardest things to cope with are unfeeling statements from people that do not understand that you have lost a loved member of the family.

I have posted a link that may give you some comfort, as you are not alone.

Answer 8

First of all, I am so sorry. Loosing a pet is like loosing a family member. Take time to pamper yourself right now. Don't neglect yourself. In time, you will feel better, you will never forget and it will still hurt, but it will hurt less. I went through this awhile back myself. Not all cats make it to 20, in fact, I would consider 14 an average age. You said you never want to go through this again, well I am sure you feel this way now, but do you really want to never have a pet snuggle with you again, feel their little face rub against yours, give you those "pet me" eyes. In time you will crave the affection a pet gives you. You will be OK.

Answer 9

I feel for you.

For a cat, 14 is old. My cat is 15...a shelter cat I adopted in 1998...her name is Sydney...aka Turbo Purr.

About 10 years ago, I had to have my other cat Harley put to sleep when he contracted FIP (there is no cure). He was only 18 MONTHS old...and I had only had him for a year (I had adopted him).

I cried all the way to the vet and during the euthanasia procedure. I held him in my arms as he died...feeling his last breath and the last beat of his heart. It was devastating.

It took me a long time to get over it. I still think about him. I keep a photo of him stuck to my fridge and I also kept his collar and a couple of his favorite toys.

It will take time. You can grieve for a lost pet as much as you can for a person. Pets become family...they are not just animals. You will feel sad and you will miss him. Let yourself mourn the loss of your cat. In time, you will heal. In time, you will be ready to open your heart to another animal and be ready to love again.

You have my sympathies.

EMT

Answer 10

I am so sorry for your loss. I cried as I read your question. It's never easy to lose a pet, because he was part of your family. I really think it just takes time...my cat Minnie died two weeks ago yesterday from an illness (she was only two years old). I'm more accepting of it now, but I still miss her incredibly. I'm not as much of an emotional wreck as I was a couple weeks ago, but I still cry for her sometimes and even occasionally call her name and talk about her like she's still here.

I'm glad you were able to say goodbye...I think that's very important....for both of you. I know it hurt to have him put to sleep, but at least he isn't suffering anymore. I'm sure he was sad to leave you too.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Cry as much as you need to, talk about it as much as you want...whatever helps you feel better. Hang in there.