How do I know when it's time?

So long as he's eating and drinking, grooming himself, interacting with you etc., then I still think he's enjoying life. Once he stops doing any of those things, then it may be time to think about having him put to sleep. You know him better than anyone and I think you will know when he's no longer getting any pleasure from life. This article may help you spot those signs.

http://messybeast.com/euth.htm

Judging when the time is "right" is a personal and very difficult decision, and I think the majority of pet owners will alway question whether they did it too soon or too late. Late last year one of my elderly cats developed a small, pea sized swelling on his jaw which turned out to be an inoperable cancerous tumour growing under his tongue. Over the next two weeks it had spread along his jaw line. Though he was still eating, several times a day he was clearly distressed and began growling, which was really out of character for my lovely, gentle old boy. It occcurred to me that he would probably only stop eating because the tumour was making it impossible to swallow and not because he wasn't hungry. I didn't want his last days to ones where he was hungry or miserable, so I had him put to sleep just 3 weeks after he was diagnosed. Though it was hard to do and I still really miss him, I don't regret not waiting longer. (A previous cat of mine had to be put to sleep in the final stages of kidney failure, and her miserable last day haunted me for years.)

Sorry you find yourself in this position. Especially after losing your dad so recently. Take care.

I have an 18 year old cat well 18 1/2 and she keeps plugging along. She's very thin and she has diarrhea all the time but she stresses so badly going in a carrier and at the vet that it's just not worth it to take her. She is running out of time but she moves around, gets up and down off the sofa with the help of a foot stool and she sleeps on a whelping pad that gives off constant low heat 24/7. She eats and complains when I don't get her dinner to her as soon as I get home. She head butts for attention and wants cat treats. Amazing since she has no teeth but she's getting along and hasn't given up.

When the cat is in pain and discomfort, when the cat can no longer walk, doesn't want to move or can't move, doesn't eat, just seems to have given up then it's time. I would give your cat a heating pan on low wrapped in a pillowcase. As long as your cat is not in pain and wants affection then it's not time. You'll know when you see it.

This might help you, it's a quality of life consideration:

http://www.cathospitalofchicago.com/online-cat-hea...

This is a hard time and nobody really wants to make a final decision about their well loved fur family. But it's the last and final loving decision that an owner can make. Be with your cat at the end, let the last thing it hears is your voice telling it you him. I've been through this many times with rescued cats and my own cats and you need to let them going feeling loved. Fall apart after it's over, be there and strong for them at the end.

Best of luck and cyber hugs.

I know this is difficult because I had to go through it just a few weeks ago. My cat, Oreo had been sick since Oct. when the whole family went on vacation for a week and he didn't eat at all. He started having diarrhea and then stopped eating dry food all together. We fed him wet food for a few months but he had to eat literally every two hours. He also had arthritis in his back legs which made it difficult for him to walk and he no longer did any jumping. As time went on he was just a walking stomach and was in pain all the time. Then one day he stopped drinking, walking, and couldn't sleep because he was so hungry and in so much pain. That's the day we knew it was time. He didn't freak out in the car like normal and let my mom hold him for his last hours which totally wasn't him. Even when the vet took him back to put in the IV for the euthanasia he didn't act up. They blew several vains because he was so dehydrated and he was just calm. He knew it was time and so did we.

Sorry,But youll know when its time.My German Shep was sick.Got meds but he let me know he wasnt well and i did what was best.Hes still with me in my front yard.A red crape martel marks his grave.I am always holdingt them as there put to sleep.Let them know there ok.Ya its hard but there yours.Your friend.

Do what only you know is best for your cat - that's the kindest thing you can do for him.