Is it unethical to put your cat to sleep for annoying behavioral problems?

Question

For the last 3 years, my cat has crapped everywhere: in addition to inside her litter box, I have found piles on the stairs, next to her litter box, on the bathmat, in closets, under my bed, IN my bed, on doormats, inside the laundry hamper (with freshly laundered clothes), IN my daughters bed. I have tried everything: Yes, I keep the cat box clean-- I even have another one for her. I have even tried to keep her out of certain rooms by closing the doors-- only to find a pile on the stairs. She is 10 years old and I feed her Iams adult dry food-- always have. I have had her for 9 years. I am at my wits end now and I am out of ideas. Is it unethical to have her put to sleep for this? If so, then do you have other suggestions? I love her very much and I don't know what to do.

I have had her checked by the vet twice, but no problems were found. She is a Sphynx (=hairless), so outdoors is out of the question.

Answer 1

Please do not try to give your cat away or take to a shelter. Cause of her age the shelter will just put her to sleep anyway, and I don't think anyone would want to take a cat that poos everywhere unless they plan on doing something else with her. You say that she is 10 and you have had her for 9 years and this has only been happening for the last 3 years. So I am taking it that she was fine for the first 6 years. My suggestion to you is definitely take her to the vet cause there may be something serious going on with her. Has her behavior changed in anyway also. Look at any major changes you have made in your life in the past 3 years because cats do act out sometimes in dramatic ways to let you know when something is bothering them or something is wrong. Either way this is a member of your family and for her to be fine for 6 years then all of a sudden start pooing everywhere there is definitely a problem. PLEASE take her to the vet. It may be fixable or if something is wrong and its to late then at least you know there was nothing else you could do and if she has to be put down then you don't have the guilt of doing it only cause she was a pest you did it cause you had to so she wouldn't suffer. I hope this makes some since and helps.

Answer 2

I can't think of any veterinarian I know and I know at least 7 as I have 4 shih tzu and 3 cats that would euthanize a cat for elimintation issues.

Your cat needs a major diagnostic workup and if there isn't any physical issue causing this which might be able to be treated and/or cured then you MIGHT have a case for euthanasia as cats who refuse to use the litterbox don't get adopted and if you lie to a private individual or the shelter they will just find out anyway and dump the cat on somebody else or take it out in the woods and shoot it, some people actually do this which is wrong.

If the medical workup shows no reason for this then you might want to contact some cat only rescue groups as they may have some kindly farmers that would take your cat. I know I've helped place these kinds of cats with some rural farmers and at the least they can go where they want to go and aren't going to be put down.

But to answer your question, I don't think it's unethical to euthanize a cat that won't use the box IF thorough medical diagnostics are done and it is determined that it's not from disease/illness.

These cats rarely learn to use the box. I worked as a volunteer in many shelters over the past 20 years and they always say that when the cat goes to a new home it will use the box which in my experience has never been true and the cat comes right back to the shelter and it's euthanized as nobody wants a cat that doesn't use the box.

Just call the vet and get the cat in ASAP for tests and examination. There are also prescription diets that reduce the urine and fecal acids to make the urge less and gives them more time to make it to the litter box.

Answer 3

You don't have to let any animal sleep on the bed you can put the pet bed in your room so they are close to you --remember that the next few days or even weeks the new family member is getting used to you and the new home --so there is some insecurity issues too---if they feel comfortable enough to be just by you then that's good--if not maybe be tolerant for a time till they feel safe to sleep alone--as far as behavior problems the only one I can think of is that they might get vocal at night or try and find a way out via the windows and make some racket that way--You can always put a cat crate by your bed and put him or her in that at night-- Good Luck and many great years together with your new found family member--

Answer 4

I am going through the same problem with my cat as well. I am fortunate enough to know what is causing her issues though. We recently moved and that is a stressful situation for a cat. Think about what may have changed for your cat about 3 years ago? Birth of a child, suddenly being left home alone while everyone goes off to work, loss of a companion cat? Any of that is enough to stress a cat.

Cats tend to like to keep their living space clean. I have switched to clumping cat litter and as long as clean the box twice daily, my cat is doing well. (If I forget, I find a present waiting on the carpet for me). Also consider laying out some puppy training pads in your cat's favorite places to go. At the very least, it will make clean up a little bit easier for you.

You absolutely CANNOT have this cat put down unless a vet has found it has further underlying problems. Having a pet is like having a child. You have a responsibility to care for your cat. If you can't handle that, then you don't deserve to have another pet in the future.

Answer 5

My mother had the SAME problem with a cat I had left at her house when i moved out. Salem is an orange tabby, about 11 years old, and had the problem of going everywhere as well.

Salem actually turned out to have some sort of internal medical problem, and mom debated on whether to put the cat to sleep or not as well. She decided against it, and bought a huge cat cage for Salem to live in from now on. It's huge, about 5 feet tall and four feet wide, with three shelves for sitting, a separate place for food and water and his own litter box in there. She says he'll be there for the rest of his life, since she just couldn't train him to stop "going" on every surface of the house.

You might consider the cat cage idea, they usually run about 300 dollars, but mom found her cage for a deal on eBay for 150 dollars.
You also might consider just giving her away. Of course, that raises another ethical question of "Do I tell the new owners about the cats problem?"
Personally, I wouldn't. I'd just get the cat off my hands. But I'm evil, you know.

Now, as to whether putting a cat to sleep because of behavioral problems is "ethical"....?
No, it's probably not the best choice out there. It all depends on just how much you really care about the cat. If you think it's going to just eat you up inside with the guilt, I'd stay away from it. Extra guilt in your life is unnecessary. But if you reason that a cat is just a cat, and your happiness is more important than putting up with unsanitary conditions caused by that cat, then go right ahead.

All in all, I doubt you'll go to hell for it or anything.

good luck!

Answer 6

Yes of course it's unethical! Think about if your elderly mother/father lost the ability to go to the toilet in the right place - would you put THEM to sleep?

Of course not, so why should you do it to your cat? She's given you 9 years of joy, you should repay her now.

Try giving her on a different food (one specially designed for elderly cats is best), it may be that she isn't getting on with it now, causing her to need the toilet too quickly to get to her litter boxes.

Make sure she isn't stressed (long periods on her own, recent additions of new animals both in the house and in her territory), and if she is take steps to get rid of stressful thing.

Meanwhile, cover the laundry hamper, close all bedroom doors etc to make sure she doesn't poo in beds and laundry. Leave bathrooms and tiled or lino floored rooms open, if she's anything like my cat she'll go on an easily cleanable floor over carpet. (We once accidentally shut her upstairs and she went on the lino bathroom floor, and another time in the bath :))

I know you've been to the vets, but have you mentioned her problem to them? They probably have things like this all the time.

Good luck, but please don't put her down..

Answer 7

This could be a sign of seperation anxiety or an underlying medical problem. Have you had her checked by the vet? Cats will go outside the box when they want to tell you something.

http://www.manhattancats.com/Articles/separation_anxiety.html

Answer 8

It wouldn't even cross my mind to put my cat to sleep if I was in your situation. You should consider the cat's feelings. Try getting medication for the cat, or take it to an animal shelter to try to find it a new home. But whatever you do, don't get the cat put to sleep! It will just show how inconsiderate you are!

Answer 9

oh my gosh! this is going on with me too! no one seems to understand what's happening. It's very aggravating to come home everyday to big piles of mess. It;s disgusting, makes your house smell. I know what you mean about trying everything! one thing i did try is maybe she's afraid of the litter box or the litter itself. I put only about 2 cups of litter in the bottom of the pan and seemed to use it for a bit. Then he went back to his bad habits...it's a never ending thing. About the putting the cat to sleep? I've had the same thoughts, but even just putting it up for adoption would be better i think.

Answer 10

Yes, it is unethical. A cat is a living creature, it is a responsibility. No one promised you a rose garden. The cat is for better or worse, in sickness and in health! You don't just kill someone for their bad manners! Putting to "sleep" is only justified for dying animals.

By the way, she must have a medical problem. Find what it is or find a home for her, where they can keep her outdoors, instead of killing her.