Is it time to 'let go' of my cat?

I am torn when I read your description. From a legal standpoint, your cat is your property, and you owe her nothing. If you just plain don't want her anymore, you can have her put down. However, a pet is a living thing, and because they are kept as companions, they form a relationship of trust with their owner in a way that a cow does not.

On the one hand, I know what it is like to have an elderly cat reach the point where he is suffering too much to gain anything from life and make the painful decision to have him put to sleep. On the other hand, I made that decision when he was dying of untreatable stomach cancer. Years earlier, he had suffered from crystals in his urinary tract, which led to the urination issues you mention. I got him treated for that, and it bought us many more years together than we might have had.

I think after your cat has given you its lifetime of companionship, you owe her at least one more thorough vet exam so that you know exactly what is bothering her and how treatable (or not) it may be. You may end up deciding that you simply cannot afford her further care, and at her age, it would probably then be kinder to put her down than to look for other owners who could afford to pay for treatment. On the other hand, when you hear the specific price tag that is most likely (the vet can never give a guarantee, but at least an idea), as well as the likelihood of restoring her to a decent quality of life, then you may decide it is worth it.

It sounds like your cat needs medical treatment. She could be suffering from uterine crystals or kidney issues. Have you switched the litter over the past 2 years? Has there been added stress in her life to make her start peeing and pooing everywhere but the litter box? Cats don't just go all over the house for no reason and certainly not because they are old.

Weight loss is also a sign of kidney issues, thyroid issues and other things.

Take her to the vet for an exam. Explain the situation. To get a urine sample for testing, lock her in the bathroom with food and water and a disposable metal baking pan filled with fish rocks. That way when she pees, you can take it to your vet for testing.

If it turns out it is not a health issue, there are other things to do. Try using Feliway plug-ins around your home. At the store they are expensive, but pet-edge.com has them for very cheap.

If you truly love your cat like you claim you do, you will do what is best for her and get her to the vet. I would NEVER think of putting my beloved animals to sleep unless they were suffering. Your cat doesn't seem to be suffering, just sick and in need of medical treatment.

Growing up my cats were always indoor/outdoor cats. They would come in to snuggle and eat, but played out side most of the day. My parents had a large yard with trees and the cats would just wander around the neighborhood. All of my parents neighbors knew our cats and played with them as well. Since my parents house was in a suburb there wasn't quite the danger of wild animals that you find in the county, or the speeding cars of a city. It was kitty cat paradise. Now I live in a apartment off a college campus. I would never dream of letting my cat outside because of all the traffic. I think it depends on where you live and what vaccinations your cat has had. Cats prefer to be outside but some conditions, like living in a city, just aren't appropriate. It is always safer to keep your cat inside, but cats are happier when allowed a little more freedom.

You are not a terrible person. I understand exactly what you're going through. We had to put our super cool black cat, Turbo down a few years ago. The pain of losing your friend, your buddy, your pal is very hard to take sometimes. but, as other people here have said, your pet will let you know when that time will come. There is a poem called "The Rainbow Bridge", you can find it on the internet. Our Vet sent us a card with this poem in it. You must read it. I can tell you this, all of our pets will greet us when it is our "time". Good luck to you and your kitty. May God bless both of you. -Rick

No, you are not a terrible person. You have been a responsible and loving pet owner, but, sweetie, it's time to let her go.,

The odds are that her life is not good anymore. She may be in a lot of pain but can't tell you. Let her go. Even if you had all the tests done, there isn't anything that can be done to make an old cat into a young one again. She will only get worse and hurt more.

I have had to let two old cats go and it does hurt, but I know I did the right thing because their quality of life was nonexistent. And honestly, it is also the brave and right thing to do.

Good luck. Take care, but let go.

God bless.

Only you know if it's time. They say usually the animal lets you know when they're ready to go. Sounds like maybe she has Alzheimers and forgets where she has to go. Can you maybe keep her in one room while you're gone and pee/poo proof it?

I would call your vet and tell them your situation, maybe they can help. A local vet did help a friend of mine out when she had problems with her cat, which ended up dying. No charge for anything, not even the cremation!

It's a very hard decision to make, as I am in the same boat with my dog. I hate to say this, but sometimes I wish he would just die in his sleep rather than me have to make the decision.

i feel for you, as a pet owner that is the hardest question to ask ourselves, is she truly happy? or would it be more humane to put her to sleep.

But in your situation your thinking of your best friend first, and obviously doing all you can for her in her "elder" years. i only wish more people were the way you are.in short, no your not a terrible person, yet a concerned pet owner.

you need to ask yourself now, is it in the cats best interest? and it sounds as though it would be. for as hard as it is to do, one thing that will help you through this is all the memories of her as a kitten and growing up. like that time she pounced your toes in bed..or curled up to you when you were feeling low..

most vets will allow you to be with her when she is put down, it seems to be a comfort both to the animal and to owner. i wish you all the luck in the world with this difficult descion, and no matter what you decide, know before you do it, it's the right choice.

it kind pf sounds like you have made up your mind.... i personally think you should keep her in a bathroom or a very large carry kennel when you are not home, and call you vet to see if you can get meds to help the pain of the arthritis or ask your vet if she can take anything over the counter for the pain... well this is one of the hardest decisions to make and personally i think it should be made b/c the pet is suffering not b/c you have to clean up pee and poo daily.... so do not make it hastily, go over all other options first... good luck!

p.s. to me suffering is not just being old.... old people get ugly and ungroomed .... it is when they can not enjoy anything in life, the fact she seems to still enjoy things in life such as you and food i doubt she is suffering

We had a cat when I was a kid who was with us for 17 years, as she got older, she started losing control of her bladder, was blind in 1 eye, was losing weight and couldn't gain any back, and though she seemed happy, she was in pain from arthritis as well. My mother, who loved this cat more then us kids at times, made the choice to put her to sleep, because she didn't want her to suffer. I just recently had to put one of my babies to sleep as well, because I couldn't watch her suffer either. Look her in the eyes, you'll know when she's ready to give up. they trust us, to take care of them and do what's best for them. Let her go when she's happy still instead of miserable. Just make sure your there, holding her and giving her love, so shes not scared in the end.

Awwww thats such a cute story :( I dont think you should put your cat down yet. Go back to the vet one more time and get medicine for her peeing and pooping on the floor. Then she will be able to live maybe for another 5 years or so. Vets have special plans for people that cant afford alot. Hope it all works out...good luck :\ tell your kitty i said hi! :)