Should we put our cat down?

Question

So, here's the situation. Half of our family is saying to put the cat down, while we feel it's not time yet. I would appreciate everyone's opinion.

Our cat is 17 years old, has some arthritis but still gets around, does not meow when standing/sitting/walking. Last week the cat was diagnosed with kidney stones and the vet gave us medication to see if we could clear them up for her. The only other option is surgery, or possibly try a low-grade antibiotic, which she would have to be on the rest of her life.

The family said we should have put her down when she was diagnosed with the arthrtis a few years ago, but we decided to take her in when everyone else wanted to have her put down. Their reasoning is that we should prevent any pain now by putting her down before anything else happens.

So, the question is, should we put her down now (like the family is pressuring us to do) or should we see how she does? We would never let her go on if she was in pain or couldn't have a decent quality of life, and would put her down immediately. Are we being unreasonable or is the family being cruel?

Answer 1

Dont put the poor thing down. My cat is only 3 and her knee caps are misplaced. The vet told us we should put her down even though it wasnt hurting her. We didnt and she has gotten along since then. Let it die when its ready

Answer 2

i think that if she isn't in any kind of pain you should not put her down. she is a really old cat so she probably wont last too much longer so just keep her and spend as much quality time with her, and treat her really nice and dont let her do stuff that could make her arthritis worse.be a great owner as you probably are, i wouldnt put her dow.

Answer 3

kidney stones hurt she shouldn't have to suffer i didnt want to put my cat down and it died in so much pain

Answer 4

See how she does.

For some people it seems like they'd rather put the pet down than do anything at all for them.  

Unless she's really suffering I wouldn't put her down and it doesn't sound like the situation is that bad.  If she ends up needing surgery and you can't get her the surgery then I guess you'd have to put her down, but if any of the non-surgery options work then there shouldn't be a problem.  

Answer 5

i think you will know when it is time for you to put your cat to sleep. you can tell when they are suffering too much because he/she just wont be the same.

i had a cat who was 23 when we put him to sleep and hed had arthritis for a few years.  we knew it was time to put him to sleep becuase hed lost soo much weight and seemed to try to avoid moving becuase it was painful and he had lost all of his playfullness. he just seemed pitifull.  

so if your cats arthritis/ kidney stones arent that bad then i would wait to put it to sleep. i mean, sneaking some pills into its food everyday isnt so bad right?  one thing you can do to help its arthritis is to put a heat pad where it likes to sleep most of the time.  we do that for our dog and she likes it alot.    

also talk to your vet and ask how much does he/she think your cat is suffering.

Answer 6

im really sorry to say, but she is in pain, so i would go head and put her down!

~sorry~

Answer 7

I think that putting her out of her misery is a kind act that will save the cat from the pain. I think that you should make her last years or months of life as comfortable and warm as possible. Let her die as a beloved cat, warm and safe in her home. Personally I have never liked putting animals down, so I think that if you love the cat very much you should try everything and only do the putting down as a last resort. You do what you think is right. God bless you and your cat.

Answer 8

if her good days out number her bad days she should be put down

to help with her kidney stones she should be given WATER in her canned food, to help increase  her water intake.. make a soup!

YUCCA in her food will help with artritis.

Ultimately it is up to her OWNER.. not "the family" to make the decision.

if you let her go, there are thousands more in shelters needing homes.. but do not get a new one until you have let her go, and are ready for a new one.. DO NOT get one that looks like her

when you are ready, tell her to "go in peace"

Answer 9

First of all, I'm very sorry for the agonizing choice you must make. I would see how she does for another month on the medication (surgery is a huge risk for a cat that old), and if she does develop pain and the medication or antibiotic isn't doing much, put her down. Who knows, she might heal nicely. Your vet can also advise on what might be best for your cat. But think this through very carefully. This is a big choice that must be given a lot of thought and cannot be made by anyone but you. I'm just giving you my opinion. Once again, I am genuinely sorry for the pain you must be feeling. Good luck and best wishes to your cat.

Answer 10

You are being unreasonable. It's time for the cat to leave this world if he is 17. He is in a lot of pain too. If you put him down, he would always be with you and he would be in no pain and would always be happy. Kidney stones are very painful. I know. I've had them. Also arthritis is a very serious condition. It could be painful for him to even move. You do not have to put him down if you truly don't want you. But i suggest you do, for his sake and not yours.