What should I do about my cat?

Question

My cat, Sammy, is almost 19. The last year or so, his health has really gone downhill. He's peeing outside the box, is constipated, and dehydrated even though he drinks water constantly. He has also lost a lot of weight even though he's been eating normally. He hasn't been as affectionate and doesn't sleep with me at night very much anymore. All he seems to do is eat, drink, and sleep in his little cat tent. The vet said his liver and kidneys are in bad shape. I could bring him in for a few days for some IVs, but in a couple of months he could be right back where he is now. I had my other cat put to sleep a few years ago and it was very traumatizing. I don't know if I can go through it again. I'm 30 years old and have had him since I was 11...just the thought of being without him is agonizing. I guess I just want someone to tell me I'd be doing the right thing by putting him down....any advice would be appreciated.

Also, he's having trouble getting around....stumbling, and his hind legs look wobbly and bowlegged when he walks.

Answer 1

aww im really sorry. im 16 and i lost my baby Sebastian wen he was 21 years old so 19 isnt that bad at all.. hes lived a wonderful life im sure. Sebastian didnt die on his own, i had to have him put to sleep as well, so i can level with you on the pain of that...but i know what i did was right, the vets reassured me and looking into his eyes i knew i was doing tha right thing. cats dont express pain like we do they can hold it in alot better than us. Sebastian had been pretty healthy, but wen he started losing his hearing it was a lot harder to get through to him...still we managed... he had a skin allergy and some abcesses on the outside of his skin..we are pretty sure they were tumors, he chewed one open and i had to clean it, and while i was doing so it immediatly hit me....hes old, hes weak and hes not doing to well...i didnt want to wait for him to die becuase then i know hed suffer and thats tha last thing i wanted...his teeth had been rotting out of his mouth from old age so we had been giving him Tender Vittles his skin was scabby and dull so we bathed him, he kept losing his balance and would fall from being weak....
things like that, you know they are suffering, whether they show it or not is irrevelant really....with the peeing outside the box, that shows they lost control of thier bladder which isnt a good sign too, as sad as it seems, cancer is a possibility with all your cats symptoms especially since hes eating normally and still losing weight, its a harsh reality but its one your going to have to face someday whether you want to or not. its better you not let his suffering continue because it only gets worse... just think about it and once u made up your mind if u opt to euthanize(put down) him, just make the appointment a few days in advance and between those few days, pamper him and love him like you never loved him before, get him some treats and constantly talk to him, reassure him that your love for him is infinite no matter what.
i hope i helped...i know its hard, i still miss Sebastian every day, i thought id never get over him but now i got Kit-ten and a month before my grandma died she gave me my beloved Sabbath...once hes gone cherish everything you had with him and dont think of his passing as a sad death, think of it as a glorious reunion with God and being a healthy fit cat again. Im sure he knows you love him and you made his life great


i wish you luck.

Answer 2

Think about it from Sammy's position. He's 19 which is quite an old man in human years. From what you've said, it sounds like he's had a nice and loving life with you. Decide whether you want to keep him to make yourself feel better and avoid putting him to sleep or if you think he's still got some years left in him. If he's uncomfortable and having health problems, perhaps the kindest final gift you can give your friend is to put him to sleep so he can be at peace. I know it's hard. . .I had to put my 17 year old cat to sleep when her kidneys stopped working. It was so difficult, but if I'd kept her alive a few years longer, she would've been miserable (she also had arthritis in her hind legs). Maybe talk to your vet and agree on what should be done. If it's his time, there's nothing any of us can do. Maybe schedule a day off from work and make his last few days very loving and wonderful and just spend some quality time with him. Remember the good times you've had with him and know that you're ending any pain he might be in. It sounds like you've given him the best life a cat can ask for. Please accept my condolences.

Answer 3

Making the decision to end your pets life is a very difficult one. The point at which you decide the time is right is usually a personal one. One the one hand, I have known many cats that were seemingly at the end when they suddenly rebounded and lived a quality life for a while longer. Cats with kidney disease are terminal but can be kept comfortable and their life prolonged by monitoring blood levels, giving fluids, special foods and medications. On the other hand, you can consider putting an animal out of its misery as you final act of love to the pet, by ending the pain and suffering. Good luck in your decision. The owner is usually the best person to know when the cat is no longer living a quality life.

Answer 4

19 years is a very old age for a cat, so be glad that he got to live such a long, fruitful life with an owner as compassionate as you. If he is truly suffering, then it may be time to let go. Ask your vet what Sammy may actually be feeling. If he is not in pain, let nature run its course. I know it must be awful to see Sammy like this, and I know the pain of losing a pet. I have never experienced making the decision of putting a beloved pet cat down, both of mine growing up came to very tragic ends (one died on the operating table, the other slipped out of the house when she was 17 years old, was senile and was never seen again). This is not an easy decision to make, and I have no idea what it will be like when it comes to be that time for my two little guys now. I wish the best of luck for both of you. Give Sammy a pat on the head for me, I'll certainly be thinking about him and hoping for the best.

Answer 5

I'm so sorry about Sammy. My cat is almost 19 years old, too. You have to remember that he gave you 19 years of love and affection, and now it is your turn to give back to him by letting him go in peace and with some dignity, rather than wasting away and feeling sick all the time. He has lived longer than most cats do, and that is a testament to the love and care you have given him. This is a decision we don't make for ourselves, it is a decision we make selflessly for our beloved pet family members. I know your heart will be broken, but it is the last thing you need to do for Sammy because of your love for him. I know they are not with us for a long enough time, but we wouldn't trade a minute of the time they are with us, would we?

Answer 6

It is very traumatizing to lose a pet, especially a dog or a cat, because they really bond with you. My dog drowned in the pool on Christmas morning because she fell in and was too old and weak to get out, and the water was cold. She was something like 15. Kind of put the kybosh on that day, but we got through it. If your cat is sick, especially terminally, it cannot really tell you in words how it feels, so you have to look at the symptoms and the behavior. Is it fair to the animal to interpret these as bad things and then force it to live that way? I don't think so. Your pet looks to you for all its care, even in death, and to needlessly prolong its life so you don't feel bad is selfish. I'm not saying put it down, but certainly ask yourself if you are prolonging its agony for your own benefit. There are millions of unwanted animals that deserve the same care you give your current pet. That's why we rescued our new dog from the pound about twelve hours before he would have been executed for the irresponsibility of his previous owner. Cats and dogs have short lifespans compared to humans, so to expect one to live as long as we do is not reasonable. You have a lot of love and care inside you that can go toward making another cat's life better. Let your cat go naturally, or put it to sleep if it is in pain or agony, mourn it, then dive into caring for another one. You won't forget the pets you had, but don't let that stop you from caring for another one.

Answer 7

My aunt had a cat named Sammy, and she was devastated when he passed away. Have you tried giving him bottled water? I know somebody who had a cat with a kidney problem, and the problem turned out to be tap water. I hate to give up on my animals, and I know how you feel. I guess the bottom line is whether or not Sammy's in any pain. I'd try the bottled water for a while first, though.

Answer 8

I truly know how you feel, me being there with my cat at age 15. You just want to keep your lover cat forever.

We must remember they can't say what they need at the end of life, only you know when to take him out of suffering.

Gosh, Sammy is still living at 19 years old and you should be so lucky to have had Sammy this long.

Don't feel badly, it's time for him to go to cat heaven Yes, you are doing the right thing for Sammy.

Answer 9

I am so so sorry. I also had a cat that I could not imagine being without, and he got very ill. I took him to the vet and had him put to sleep, I loved him to much to watch him suffer any more thatn he already had. Just think about it. I do not mean this in a bad way this is how i had to think so I could go through with it, I was only being selfish in keeping him alive, he was suffering and I thought that if i truely loved him than why did I want to watch him suffer

Answer 10

Aww poor cat :[
This cat is very old, its a senior. It's normal for your cat to be in this kind of shape. I hate to break it down to you but theres a 50/50 chance that you might loose your kitty very soon. Its 19, thats very old for a cat. Maybe with some medication and visits to the vet. can make him live longer, maybe not. The point is prepare for the worst. Its very hard loosing a cat you've had for THAT long. But when the time comes you have to let your cat go. It will be in a happier place. Try to take advantage of your cat being with you. Play and cuddle with it as much as you can. Take pictures of it, anything. As long as you know you let him go with good memories :)
I have a cat myself he's about 5 years old??
I don't ever want to loose him but I know one day I will.
Be happy that your cat is still here, its very sad what its going through but you have to except it. Thats LIFE.

Answer 11

At 17 - 20, cats can hang in, but their organs are shutting down. What they will do is rest and ultimately, they stop eating. They become emaciated and arthritic. I think they don't want to held because they hurt all over, but they are stoic about it.
I left my ginger kitty to suffer too long. She went down to 5 lbs from 12 lbs and she couldn't get up on her back legs.
When my Russian Blue boy went to 5 lbs as well and started to stand and walk with effort, I didn't wait.
Both of them were 18. I said my goodbyes and they both died in my arms. I still miss them. I have two other cats with me now. Allowing them to die with some dignity and a lot of love is better than weeks of failing health and the risk of them getting hurt and being in more pain.
You know what is best for you and your cat. Hug for you. Be at peace.
C. :)!!