Do you think my cat is dying?

Question

I have a 19 year old Himalayan cat. She is obviously up there in the years and has slowed down with time. She has good days and bad days.. most recently bad. She has arthritis in the hips do to her living previously with my sister who has 4 children and 2 huge dogs (a bit rough) and came to my home for "retirement".

The past week or so I've been noticing that she refuses crunchy cat food, but will eat wet food. She's drinking a good amount of water as well. However she doesn't like to walk and so I provide the food and water for her every couple hours next to her bed (heating blanket on my chase lounge med-low setting). I also have to carry her to the litter otherwise she doesn't go at all. About 3 months ago she stopped cleaning herself so we took her to the salon and had her hair trimmed. We put her in a sweater as she shivers otherwise.

I'm genuinely sad over the eventual loss, though we've been preparing for a while since she's so old. I have a 3 year old cat that's lived with the Himalayan since we got her and about a month ago we got another 3 year old to "replace" Kayla. I know that sounds harsh but we wanted the first cat to be able to move on better when Kayla dies. It's going well so far.. but I just wanted to know if these are indications that Kayla ( The Sage ;) ) may begetting ready to pass on. What are your thoughts, and what could I do to make her most comfortable? Other than her arthritis, she doesn't seem to be in any pain.

Answer 1

Cats instinctively don't show pain.  It's a survival instinct that's built into them. Cats who are getting ready to die will usually start hiding and refuse to eat anything.  The fact you are having to carry her to the litter box and bring food to her says to me you may want to think about her quality of life. Sometimes it's kinder not to let nature take it's course. Kayla won't be replaced by the new cat but it could very well help your other cat move on. I wish you the best with whatever decision you make.

Answer 2

the poor thing is in a lot of pain.

i would put her to sleep.

Answer 3

19 years is a long time for a cat to live....although it could be her arthritis slowing her down and making her not want to move. also with the crunchy cat food she could be losing teeth. Have you checked to see if she has lost any teeth? Another thing that is common in old cats is fatty liver disease but she is probably just old. I've heard the best thing for arthritis is rubbing caster oil on the joints to lubricate them. I had two himalayans and i know with the hair this could be really messy but it might help ease her arthritis pain especially with her laying on a heatpad. It sounds like with her living to be 19 years old she has been very well taken care of and will probably pass on as a very happy cat. The best thing for you to do right now is to make her comfortable and keep her life as normal as possible which it sounds like you're trying to do. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Aww thats so sad. But I"m so happy for the cat because it lived so long.  I'm sure the cat is in no pain and you could always try to play with her when she looks bored.  Try to put her dry food in the wet food and maybe she will eat.  Other then that, good luck!

Answer 5

I also have a 19 yr old

I give her knox geletin and it started helping her walking and balance almost immediately.

Mine does not groom as much as before... I gave her a bath the other day and her skin was really oily...

I give mine some cooked chicken livers cut up small ... which seems to help her energy.

Also B vitamines ... I crush them and mix with knox geletin and some acidophilus.... which is for her digestive tract.

I make sure not to let my old girl outside at all any more... one peson on this site said her old cat wandered away... and I don't want that.

I live where it snows so I make sweaters for her... and use newborn T shirts that she can wear.  

I put a seperate sand box upstairs for her to use.. (I found she really does not like going down stairs to use the big box)

Your girl will be very comfortable in her golden age... I know mine is ... she sleeps under the covers with me!  I will sorely miss her when she is gone... (she is the only cat I have wished was my human child)

I liked the comment about giving her extra love.  You don't want to make her feel that she is not wanted...

You will also know when she is just not wanting to go on...

then you will have to make the horrible decision to have her put down... enjoy her while you have her and give her extra kisses.

DON'T LISTEN TO ANY WHO SAY TO PUT HER DOWN BECAUSE SHE IS OLD... I had one cat live to 24 so keep her going as long as you can in health

good luck >^..^<

Answer 6

At 19, your cat is 92 (in human years), so of course she's getting "forgetful".  It sounds like you're doing all you can for her comfort, but don't let her get too fat!

Is she taking any meds for the arthritis?  Have you had her into the vet for a blood test?  She may be developing diabetes (drinking a lot of water), may need her teeth cleaned (doesn't want to chew dry food).

When she gets to the point of "soiling" her bedding, it may be the time to "let her go".  Hopefully, that won't be for awhile, yet.

Does she seem to mind the new kitten?  Once in a while, an older cat will just "give up", when they think they're "being replaced".  Be sure to give Kayla lots of extra love and attention, so she doesn't feel "abandoned".

Good luck.............

Answer 7

I am really sorry to say this but: I think its time. She has lived a long life. And think of it this way, you can put her out of her misery

Answer 8

to be honest I think her quality of life is not good any more-I would think about getting her euthanised before she really starts to suffer. we had a 19 year old cat with kidney failure and we tried to keep her going but I realise now looking back it was for us and not her because we just couldn't make that decision-it was too hard. the one thing that got us through this time was our other cat so don't feel bad about getting a younger cat-it really does help

edit: btw I didn't mean right away-just to not let her go downhill from where she is now-she could stay as she is for a while yet. and to Jessica-if you have a cat with kidney failure unfortunately you will need to rethink your attitude about euthanasia as death by kidney failure is horrific.to say you would only consider it if the cat was basically in agony I found quite sickening-you have to think of what's best for your cat.

Answer 9

Arthritis in an old animal will definitely keep it from wanting to move around a lot. An animal's teeth get weaker as they age so that's probably why she doesn't want the hard cat food. The stopping of grooming is probably due to low energy. I doubt she is dying but that's really hard to say unless I seen her.

Answer 10

You need to make an appt. to take Kayla to your vet for a complete check up asap!  We, here @ YA are NOT (or the majority of us) are NOT veterinarians, and we can only take a guess as to what is wrong with your kitty. I have a very good friend who has a 18 year old cat who had some of these same symptoms. It turned out to be a thyroid problem. If you value this kitty at all, you'll get her into a vet NOW. Best of luck to you and Kayla.

Answer 11

Unfortunately, it does sound like Kayla is dying.  I don't believe in euthanization unless the pain is absolutely intolerable.  Would your vet be willing to give you painkillers to help ease her pain?  You need to just give her a lot of TLC and give her the most attention right now.  Continue doing what you are doing.  I think your vet though should be willing to give her some pain meds. (strong ones).  Keep her away from your other young cats so that they don't disturb her.  I'm going thru a similar situation with my Sunshine right now.  He has kidney failure and it's hard to watch.  I'm so sorry that you have to go through this.  You do what you feel in your heart is right and not what others tell you to do!  Good luck.

Answer 12

I would strongly recommend taking you can in to the vet for a thorough check up.  At this advanced age things can change quickly.....I would be looking at kidney issues, thyroid complications ect.  Its nice that you provide an additional source of warmth for your cat, I am sure that she appreciates it.  Make sure there is always a cover on the heating pad so as not to get a contact burn.  Also, have vet check her mouth for bad teeth, tumor or ulcers (would indicate kidney toxins building up in bloodstream).  They may want to do some major type of blood work to get a good look at how all her internal organs are functioning.

If everything looks bad, you should really consider allowing your beloved Kayla to be made as comfortable as possible and put her to sleep, if you can handle that.  I know how hard it is to let go.

Answer 13

the most common thing in older cats is kidney failure, and diabetes. at 19 though its probably best to just let her live out what time she has left in comfort. give her what she likes to eat and give her plenty of affection.