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Question about putting your pet to sleep?
I’ve been really really worried about my cat these days. Fatty is around 17 years old (born in 1994)Nothing is particularly wrong, but it’s gotten so that he doesn’t see his food (he's blind), forgets where it is and I literally have to get right in his face to get him to eat his food and drink water. He hasn’t even been eating his hard food at all. He'll sit there in the kitchen and wait for his food,
I’ve been really really worried about my cat these days. Fatty is around 17 years old (born in 1994)Nothing is particularly wrong, but it’s gotten so that he doesn’t see his food (he's blind), forgets where it is and I literally have to get right in his face to get him to eat his food and drink water. He hasn’t even been eating his hard food at all. I just don’t know what to do. All he does is sleep all day and he’s getting so very thin. The only thing he really eats voraciously are those little crunchy kitty treats. Otherwise he just doesn’t seem to notice either way. His age has really caught up with him since the last few months or so. He’s still pretty cognitive like purring and he’s sweet and all of that, but I’m worried. How do you know when it’s time to let go?
the original post didn't post the whole inquiry.
too broke to afford the blood tests for kitty, so I'm gambling on advice people give me. thanks for the answer trudy!
3 Answers
- trudy_honeyLv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
I understand your concern. I lost my baby at 19 1/2 years and the last few years, he was the first one everyone checked on when they came to my house.
I'm not sure what your question is. But talk to your vet about when it is time. It is a personal decision between you, your vet, and your cat. Personally, I believe it should be based on quality of life. There are several sites on the web that can help you determine how you feel his quality of life is.(http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/help_companio... - The one thing on their website that is not consistent with what I've experieced is during euthanasia, the vet waits for the sedative to take effect before administering the drug that stops their heart. They feel nothing other than a prick from the needle.)
You said overall health is still good. Is he still eating and drinking? You said he sits and waits but does he eat when you give him his food? My blind renal failure cat comes up by my computer and sits waiting for me to feed him (and defend his wet food from the other cats so he can eat.)
Hard food is not necessarily good for them anyway but he could have an underlying issue that could be causing the change in preferences. Your vet will examine his mouth to determine if he's having any dental issues and may want to do bloodwork to make sure there isn't something like kidney failure, elevated white blood count, liver function, etc.
He may be exhibiting signs of dementia but your vet would be able to evaluate that better than just can't find things.
If your kitty is pain-free, happy (purring and wanting affection), eating - the normal things kitties do, than I would continue on. He will probably be sleeping more as he ages. Until it is time, enjoy the moments you have with him, love him, and make memories to cherish.
Source(s): pet parent & special needs foster mom - ♥ǝıƃƃɐW♥Lv 41 decade ago
Is the question asking if you should put it to sleep!?? I wouldnt... it doesnt sound like it has a legit problem... it just needs your help since its blind and loosing its sense of smell!! I wouldnt put it down because of that... its not like its suffering
