My cat has kidney failure how will I know when enough is enough

[shesmylovelylittlegirl]

My cat is around 16 and she was diagnosed with kidney failure about a month ago. She had a few days of treatment at the vets, on a drip, and now has to take a tablet daily. At the time we thought she'd only last another week but she's still here to tell the tale.

Earlier this week we struggled to feed her then thought she was constipated, that problem is now sorted but she is difficult to feed. Her teeth were never good and in the last week or so they've all dropped out. Since she's been home from the vets we've been cooking her chicken legs every other day and giving her the cat food that the vet recommended, we're now heating it up in an effort to encourage her. She is eating, just not very much. We're also giving her some natural yoghurt which she loves and we have a probiotic from the vet.

She's still happy and seems to be enjoying her life, sits in the sunshine outside when it's warm, on the window sill, by the fire - we put it on sometimes just for her! Lies on our bed at night - we had to put a step by the bed to help her get on and off easily. She's always had bad legs, I think an old injury from before we had her. We've had her for over four years now. She still purrs when you stroke her and pick her up. Also when you feed her, although I think I'd purr if someone hand fed me!

I get really upset at the thought of losing her but I don't want her to suffer at all. If it doesn't happen natually how will we know when enough is enough? I've cried so much in the last few weeks at the thought of this happening, emotionally I've not been good this year and am really struggling with this. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[ineedalifelaundry]

First of all, I'm so sorry for what you're going through.

My cat had kidney failure for two years and lived quite happily on medication (one tablet a day) without any further symptoms. He also lost most of his teeth but still enjoyed soft food. In the end we had to make the decision to put him to sleep because of a bowel tumour, not his kidney failure, which was well managed on the tablets.

So your cat could well go on for some time yet!

As long as she is still enjoying life (which she obviously is from what you have said) she still wants to live.

We knew the day our cat had had enough. He just had this look of total misery, couldn't eat anything ... we just knew the time had come. It's hard but you will know too. And might not be for a good while.

For now just treat every good day as a blessing. There are probably many more good days to come

[ineedalifelaundry]

Oh, and regarding her not eating much, she's not using as much energy as she used to, doing a lot of lazing about by the sounds of it (good for her!) so she doesn't necessarily need a lot of food. Just keep giving her the things she really loves. Have you tried scrambled egg?

[ShowOfHands]

My beautiful cat Sheba had kidney failure. We knew she'd had enough when she disappeared into a box and would not come out for food or a cuddle. After 12 hours of no show I brought her out to take her to the vets (to ask him to put her to sleep). She curled up in my arms and purred. I cuddled her for about 10 minutes and she just slipped away, no need for the vet. I was very pregnant at the time and it broke my heart but it seemed right. She knew, I knew, it was her time.

[shesmylovelylittlegirl]

Thanks for your answers, was in need of some reassurance. She's having a nice day today, a bit of sun earlier and now curled up on a blanket.

ineedalifelaundry, I hadn't thought of scrambled egg, will give it a try. I think you're right, while she's happy we'll make sure every day is a great day for her.

ShowOfHands that sounds like a lovely way for your cat to go. It's so hard to let them go but that sounds like the nicest way.

[FabBakerGirlIsBack]

This makes me so reading your stories. My cat is nearly 15 and I worry about her dying.

Cats are so lovely.