Help for my old kitty......?

Question

I have a cat that is 21 years old. I have had him since birth. Now is the time that I have to decide.....should I put him to sleep? I have thought for years that it was his time but he has just kept going. He even made a trip in the car from California to Tennessee. I can now tell by the look in his eyes that it won't be long. My dilema is that we are leaving next week to fly home for Christmas.......we are going to have a pet sitter take care of our 3 cats........but what if something happens and I am not here? Should I just let him live out his days until the end or should I be the one to decide when the end is? I just don't know if I can do that......I am sure he is in a little pain just due to age but he is still eating some and using his box. He does vomit but has been doing that for years.......Any words of wisdom from anyone that has been in this situation?

Answer 1

If this is a possibility but not a certainty, just let the pet sitter know that any serious deterioration in his condition should be brought to your immediate attention, and let the vet know that you have planned for this eventuality, too. Your pet sitter is a pro. She can read a situation, and I'm certain you are leaving her your email or cell. Why would you want to put him to sleep just because he's old and might die? I hope that doesn't sound accusatory, but it doesn't make sense to me.

I will repeat the story of Alex, the 21-year-old cat who outlived his master, and was taken in by a lady who sold thousand dollar cats here in NYC ten years ago. She made him her shop cat, prepared him a seat in the storefront window that was soft and warm and permitted him to study the action on the sidewalk. His master had always bought Alex a tuna fish salad sandwich from the deli for lunch every day, and so she did the same.

His gait was odd, and his head drooped, and his eyes were milky and he drooled -- and he had that wasting skinniness that really, really old folks can have. But every morning when they opened the store, there he was, waiting to be fed. Passersby who saw him in the window complained to her about him, that there was something wrong with him, and I really do believe someone turned her in to the authorities about him, because he looked a little decrepit. But to all of them she just said, "There's nothing wrong with Alex. He's just old." And she let him be.

He died one winter night, in his sleep. There was nothing wrong with him that anyone knew of, and as you might imagine, the food and the veterinary care there were excellent. He just quit breathing. He was 24 years old, almost 25.

We have lived with dogs in our homes for eons, but cats did not become exclusively indoor until 1947, when a farmer whose bottom land was all clay, and who was in the middle of a draught, "invented" kitty litter. (He died within the past 5 years, a millionaire. I read his obituary in the NY Times) The average life expectancy of an outdoor cat is 3 years (per the Humane Society). The average life expectancy of an indoor cat is 15 years, though improving veterinary care and food formulations are extending that.

But the bottom line here is that our notion of "dog" includes a concept of "old dog". But our notion of "cat" is only newly come to include the concept of "old cat" (because outdoors cats die young, and sick cats go and hide to die, so we don't see them when they don't look good). You do not have a "sick cat" or a "dying cat". You just have an "old cat", and there is no more reason to kill him because he is old than there is to kill your 90-something neighbor because she doesn't eat as much as she used to, can't run the marathon, etc.

Alert your pet sitter to give him a little extra observation. Give her contact numbers. Alert your vet. Then go on vacation and forget about worrying, because even if there is a worst-case scenario, you'll have it all covered.

Answer 2

You never really know what to do when a cat has to be put down but in this situation, spend a few days just loving him up and make an appointment for him to be put down...it's very hard but thats what I did with my dog. Then you will have a worry free trip.

Answer 3

wow, 21 years is quite old for a cat!! He must be in pain, i think it is bettr to put him to sleep then let him die of old age it is much painful for both you and the cat to let him live his life untill he dies.. It must be hard for you, having the cat for 21 years.. and having to decide whether to let him live on untill he died of old age.. or put him to sleep..
But i must go with put him to sleep, You can spend the most wonderful last day together.. and then say goodbye and put him to sleep, whereas if you go away for christmas,, and he isnt alive when you come back... You wouldn't have a brilliant last day together... It's for the best
It must be hard.. good Luckk x

Answer 4

Have a vet give him a senior wellness checkup - that may give you some peace of mind. If there are no medical problems and he is overall happy, I wouldn't do anything. If he gets sick, or to a point where you think he is suffering more than being content, then make that decision.

Answer 5

Exactly what the poster before said..if he is eating then he should be fine, so i would let him be a let him have a nice Christmas..Spoil him with loads of pressies :)
But when you see signs of him in pain and you take him to the vet's and they say his in pain then you know it's time.

So like i said let him try reach another B'day ;)
I hope he is ok and hope you have a nice christmas.
He is a soldier! ;) x

Answer 6

I would say let him be. If he is eating and drinking, and his quality of life seems good, then he is ok. If you're really concerned take him to the vet for a check up, see what the vet says

Answer 7

If he is still eating and using the box he is doing great. Let him be. If and when you see obvious signs of pain, then make a decision. It is one only you can make.

Answer 8

if he looks happy and not ill,and eating and drinking and ok with other 3 cats let him enjoy what time he has left,if worried get vet to give quick look before you go

Answer 9

i really feel for you i had 2 cats that lived to this age and both died in their sleep,so if it isnt suffering i would just leave him,it probably wont happen whilst you are away

Answer 10

let him live his days as long as he is not suffering putting him to sleep just because you are going on a trip aint right