My cat is 18 yrs. when do you know its time to put her down?

Question

My one eyed cat "Baby" has lived a heck of a life, now she sleeps, eats and her litter box business. That's it, she has a loud cry sometimes it almost sounds like she is yelling at me, but when I go to check on her she softly meows and purrs, just wants love. But she is unable to clean herself, I use a wet one type cloth designed for cats and when I pet her, her hair comes out in clumps! Is she ready to go or am I just being selfish by not letting go? I don't have the heart but I just don't know if it's time, I am on the fence and just don't know?

Answer 1

You will know when it is time. We dont put people down when they get old do we?

I had to put a horse down recently, I did this before he got to the realy bad stage and was in pain.

As long as your cat is happy, leave her be, when she is not happy anymore, then I think it is her time.

Its very sad and it makes me cry when I think of all the animals I have had to put down when they get old.

Its nice that you are thinking of her in that way.

Very sad, but, well, do your best to make her last years of life good.

It brings a tear to think of your poor old cat, give her a pat from me, Jane

Answer 2

If your cat can walk and eat by herself than let her go on her own, but if shes vomitting or cud barely eat, has trouble urinating or pooping, then you shud put her down =[

Answer 3

She sounds perfectly healthy but just to make sure nothing is wrong you should have a vet check out the hair and meowing things.

We had to put our faithful dog, Sadie, down about 6 or so months ago because she had been outside and I was playing with my friends and she had had a stroke. We took her to the vet and they of course couldn't do anything and they put her down.

You should only consider putting your faithful companion to sleep if they seem to be in pain or are suffering.

You just need to be there to make her last few years the best last years of her life.

I know the feeling of being sad to let go of a loved one as for whenever I look at Sadie's  old collar I start to cry and think of her.

It is always hard to let go of a loved pet.

Answer 4

As everyone else has said, you will know when it is time to call it a day. My first cat lived to 18 and was in great physical condition but his mind went. He would meow at the door to be let out and then as soon as you shut the door would meow to come back. This would go on all day and night. He was very disorientated so took him to the vet and the vet said his mind had gone so it was best to put him down. So hearing that your cat can still go to the toilet, eat and sleep and reacts positively to you when you pat it, that is a very good sign.

Answer 5

my aunt had a stray cat come to her. it's owner saw it 8 months later and brought it back to her house. she said it was at least 18 and that if it came back, she could have it!!

so it came back a week later and hasn't left. it walked about 2 miles just to come back. so unless your cat is in extreme pain let it live on

:)

Answer 6

Hi,

well i would just let her die naturally but if she cant eat well cant get up after shes layed down and stuff then i would go to the vets and get her put down :(  

Answer 7

Hi Dear,

  Her hair comes out just petting her? I would take her to the vet and see what is causing her hair to come out in clumps.If it wasn't for her hair coming out i would say just let her live her life out at home with you.Please make sure she isn't in any kind of pain.I wish you luck My Friend. Give baby a Big Hug and a Kiss for me.

Your Friend,

poppy1

Answer 8

the way that i have always seen it is if you believe that your pet is in pain or suffering its time to let go if not just give her lots of love as much as you can let her know you still love her and care about her

good luck and i hope she'll be ok

Answer 9

let him go naturaly would u like someone choosing its time to kill u becuz ur old!

Answer 10

LOL i have a cat just like your i always say she has like 30 lives instead of 9 lol I would rather not put my kitty down and let her die on her own unless she is in  a lot of pain ):

Good Luck  

Answer 11

ask her

Answer 12

Sounds like she still is able to enjoy life, I wouldn' put her down yet. She may have a couple more years left.

Answer 13

It does not sound like she is suffering.  I have only had my cats put down if they were suffering with no potential of surviving.

This Google search turns up lots of pages about this: http://www.google.com/search?q=%22when+t...

On second thought:

One of my cats died of cancer.  A couple months before she got noticeably sick, she would give a distressed meow at some random time.  I would go to check on her, but there did not seem to be anything wrong.  After she died, someone suggested that she was in pain, and I think they were probably right.  

I think you should have your cat examined by the vet.  Tell him about her cries and about the hair coming out, and discuss whether she should be euthanized.

It is hard to let a pet go.

Answer 14

Let it just happen naturally unless your cat is in serious pain.

Answer 15

Honestly? The cat sounds happy and comfortable for the time being, I'd leave well enough alone. Older cats commonly stop cleaning themselves so a quick once over with a pet wipe is a good thing to do.

When it gets to the point where she's having accidents, not eating or is clearly in pain or discomfort, that's the time to consider it. Cats that are on their way out generally stop eating and using the litter box and become visibly bothered.

Answer 16

i have an 18yr old cat and i have no plans of putting her to sleep. the oldest cat ever lived to be 36 and on avg cats can live into their 20s.just let your cat live.jsut because she cant clean herself is no reason to kill her. shes not in pain, is eatting right and what not. let her live.

Answer 17

Well my answer to clients when asked this question, was "You will know when that time has come, when you realize that your pet is no longer enjoying life.  It sounds like your "Baby" still is enjoying life and you.  When she stops "yelling" for you to come and pet and love her, then you will know.  For now stop worrying about it and enjoy her enjoying you.