Not ready for my cat to die as I'm unaccustomed to any sort of death.?

Question

I have a very small family with maybe 3 or 4 cousins max. No one very close to me has ever died, save for my great-grandmother when I was very young.

My 13 year old cat has been showing signs of slowing down -- he's lost a lot of weight, drinks a lot of water and looks very tired a lot of the time. I know that there's only so much that I can do to help him since old age catches up with all of us. I want to make him as comfortable as possible. I'm just afraid of the day that we will have to bring him in to be helped or put down. I don't think I'll be ready for it. Any and all advice from anyone with experience in dealing with sick or dying animals will be greatly appreciated. I realize that a dying pet is not on the same level as a dying family member, but that is why this is such a big problem for me. One of my cats was killed by a car a couple of years ago and it still saddens me. I can't imagine what it must be like for your husband or child to die. Words of wisdom please!

Answer 1

I sympathize with you. Our pets become like family members. When they die before us, and they do, because their life span is so much shorter than ours, it is a very sad and difficult occasion. We have been through this numerous times with our own cats and dogs--and as we have gotten older, we even have had to endure the deaths of some of our friends and loved ones.

Perhaps one of the functions of the death of our pets is to prepare us for the inevitable demise of all of us. To have the gift of life, we also must learn to face and even accept our own death, at least in our earthly form. I believe that there is life beyond death, and death is a transition, maybe even for our beloved pets. And in the case of the death of our pets, at the least it is an end of suffering for them, and in that sense is a blessing--even though it is a loss for us. No one wants to live a life of constant physical suffering.

So think of it this way. Your cat will pass away when its time has come, and its passing will be a way for it to avoid greater suffering. And you will learn how to grieve and ultimately to accept death a little easier, and you will learn to move on in your own life. Its a lesson we all must learn as part of growing up. And BTW, if you eventually replace your cat with another, this will ease the sadness, and give you the opportunity to share your love with another pet who will love you in return. And that is a remarkable gift.

Answer 2

I'm sorry about your cat being sick, but there's not much you can do about it besides ready yourself for the inevitable.

It doesn't matter if an animal dies or a human. It all depends on you emotional attachment to them. Your cat being hit by a car might as well have been your own child because that's what it was. It was your child. Pets that you live with and love for any extended amount of time become part of the family. I guess I'm just trying to say I understand your pain.

I know I just rambled on, but if any of this helps at all it was worth it.

I hope your cat lives to be very old and that this is just temporary.

Answer 3

I understand how you feel. I had a dog from the time I was 3 until the age of 16. When Duke died, I was crushed....his was the first death I had experienced, too. I cried and felt inconsolable for the 2 weeks after he died. I grieved for him..he was my best friend for a very long time. The grief finally eased up a little and in time, I put his life and death in perspective. He brought a lot of joy to my life and I did not want to lose him. I understood that he was old and suffered with arthritis in his hips, it was hard for him to get around. So, in time, I realized his death was a blessing for him and for me. I felt unconditional love from my dog and this lesson stays with me today...many, many years later.
Hugs.......

Answer 4

I think this is very painful. You grieve when you lose a pet when you are close to the animal. I have had several pets that I had to have put to sleep. I stayed with one while he got a shot. I cried so hard my eyes hurt for a week. Recognize that you are grieving. Find people to talk to. Find a way to remember your cat and talk to him. In time you do better. You won't forget your cat but you won't be devastated thinking about him.

Answer 5

I had a dog for seven years since I was 5 or 6.It disappeared when my mom took him out and I cryed so hard because my dad gave it to me and its very special cuz my parents are now separted and I thought he would last for.But to me It was Unexpected.I"m okay now. Gladly I have a turtle and know dog will replace mine.So you"ll be okay sure you"ll remeber him and you"ll be sad you"ll get better. P.S Get rid of his stuff when his gone it won"t make it better but you won't remember it as much put it in the garage somewhere where you can take a peek and remember the great moments sometimes.

Answer 6

you can love an animal as much as an human n the death is devasting as such a human .but we all have to cope with death ..i amm 44 an given 2 months or less to live have made it 3 and a half now .i have come to terms that i will live to the fullest n when it comes it does

Answer 7

Get a crash course in birth, life, death and after life as this is happening every moment

Answer 8

sorry hun but its a part of life that you have to accept. im sorry to hear about your cat. i have 3 dogs that i love more than anything and its going to be hard when they pass.