What's the kindest thing for our old girl?

[Primadonnagirl]

She is about 16 years now. Indoor cat and has always been healthy.We noticed change in her toilet and drinking habits so took her to the vets. Blood test revealed early stages of kidney failure which vet explained was incurable but we could treat to give her another one or two years.We purchased a special diet which was quite expensive and also gave her some medicine. Vet said come back ina months time and they will redo bloods to see if it's made a difference.
The thing is it's over a month ago now but we have been away etc. in that time she has started refusing the new food but eats her old food with gusto. She seems fine apart from occasional diarrhoea. We are tempted to leave things as they are our reasoning being:
The food was v expensive as was the medicine..if she's ok without it what difference is it really making.
Taking her to the vets is always distressing..she hates it and usually has to be sedated.Will definitely need knocking out for bloods.
But I worry I'm just taking the easiest route for me and feel bad Im not giving her the best chance possible. Or is it kinder to let her eat the food she likes etc. as long as she's not in any discomfort and and her days happy even if it means she goes sooner?

[chockbic]

I'd be guided by the vet on this one and his/her feeding recs for your cat.

[LastingLight]

Our old boy lasted 3 years after diagnosis on the special diet and with meds. Are you still giving her the meds? If she won't eat the food then she won't eat it, nothing you can do about that. For me his quality of life was the most important thing.

[Primadonnagirl]

No, the meds have run out and she needs a blood test before they will give her any more. I think I will take in a urine sample and then see what the vet thinks. I just hate having her distressed with all this toing and froing with the vets esp when she seems OK

[RubbishMantra]

If her remaining years are unhappy with food she dislikes and loads of vet trips I think I'd be torn too.

I've come to realise it's about quality of life. I dread the day I have to make that decision for my lads, I really do.

[something2say]

I'm in the same boat with my cat. He turns fifteen in August, just been diagnosed with renal issues. Hates the food, won't eat it. My boyfriend insists that he be made to. I am going to try and mix it with food he would otherwise eat. He loves this one I got him before but it gives him an upset tummy like your cat. In some ways I agree with you. What difference will it really make at their age? I used to love seeing him wolf down his food and ask for it twice a day. Now he doesn't eat that renal food at all. I don't know what to do longterm either.

Mu friend gave her elderly cat good quality protein, which is what that expensive food is, by way of chicken and fish from time to time. I always feed my cat some of my fish when I eat. Maybe if he carries on I will do more of that and stuff the renal food.

Hope your cat is alright x difficult isn't it?

[Primadonnagirl]

It is cos you want to ask them what they want you to do!! I'm sure she'd choose food and cuddles over that big nasty vets any day.

[RubbishMantra]

I know what I'd choose for myself if that's any help. Food and cuddles.