Is my cat coming to the end of his life?

[CustardCream74]

He's 17 with thyroid problems. Been on medication for this for years and is now on just about the maximum dose.
Over the last 10 months or so he is gradually losing weight and now quite skinny. The vet wants him to have bloods done to see what the issue is. I have refused as at this stage of his life as it is traumatising for him and I wouldn't put him through anything else anyway.
This last 2 weeks his behaviour has changed. His appetite is ravenous. He literally scoffs 1 pouch then begs for another. (he has continuous dry food available but doesn't eat much) He yowls, runs into your legs, scratches the food cupboard.....anything to try and get you to feed him again. He is already on 4 pouches a day. This behaviour goes on and on. He still wanders around outside and has a catflap He goes in and out and in and out hoping each time his bowl will miraculously fill itself even though it is 10 minutes since his previous meal.
He does eventually give up and then sits/lies on the landing or the doorway. Not comfy on the beds like he used to most of the day. He does occasionally settle down and snuggle but I would say that 70% of time he is just miaowing for food. I hope he isn't suffering obviously and I don't know what to do for the best. When he is snuggled up to me purring and is settled on the bed it seems wrong to be thinking of putting him to sleep.
Any vet/vet nurses able to offer any advice?

Sympathy OP and previous posters.

My cat is 17/18 (a rescue so unsure exactly) and recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and stage 1 kidney disease. She's on meds but it's very much play it by ear. She also hates getting blood taken so that is a factor in weighing things up.

Certainly if he were mine I would let him go before it reaches the point where there is obvious suffering.
I've had many animals, am a farmer and equine vet nurse
There is never a 'right time' you only know when you have left it too late.
I think you are right & brave to not want him to have further blood tests etc. The vet will keep offering tests/medication/treatment if that's what you want but to be honest it's rarely the right thing.

There's an old vet saying 'better a week too early than a day too late'

Assuming he's been wormed?

I think you are right in your choices so far. In your position I would now have him out to sleep.

Totally agree that it is kinder to do this too soon than too late.

Sorry OP , my old girl was the same. Scavenging, constantly looking for food, following us everywhere for scraps, laying in the way keeping an eye on us . It was awful and looking back I should have called it earlier. We helped her over the bridge peacefully in July . I would t leave it so long next time. It’s so very hard though, I loved her and miss her every day .

Was he hypothyroid? It might be possible his medication is too high and he has gone hyperthyroid, hence the weight loss, always hungry. I’d risk the blood test.

My large male cat eats 5 pouches and a few crunchies or 1 tin and a pouch to himself. He's not overweight and does not have any health issues. I'd just give him an extra pouch. You do know the size of pouches has shrunk right? Many have gone from 100g to 85g so that could be 60g less each day if he has 4. If he doesn't like crunchies much just give him an additional pouch especially if he's getting skinny. As cats age they do get more skinny even without thyroid issues. If he's otherwise happy just up his food a bit.

Me too. He might just need a lower dose of medication.

If he's hungry you should feed him, especially if he's skinny. You don't want to put him under stress but being hungry is very stressful too. My cat also increased his appetite as he got older and had kidney problems. He may have other things wrong too so I'd take him to the vet. You can ask for a sedative prior to the appointment if possible.

Wet food is healthier than dry so if he prefers that, that's great.

Our cat was exactly like this at the end. He was 19. On thyroid meds, ravenous but skeletal. Also became very vocal although he was dear by then too xx

Tbh,he's elderly and poorly, now is t the time to worry about how much food he's eating, just give him what he's asking for.

Hi @CustardCream74 I just wanted to come and give you a hug. I’m at exactly the same place with my cat. He’s gradually deteriorated over the past 6 months. He’s absolutely fine all day but all evening and night he’s bothering me for something! His food bowls are full fresh and dried. He has access to an indoor litter tray, I’ve got a cat flap so he can get into the garden whenever he wants and I have been leaving my doors wide open! And even then he comes and wees next to the bed! I don’t want to sound selfish but I am truly shattered. It’s just constant. I spoke to the vet on Friday and she said it sounds like dementia. Do you think that yours could be suffering from dementia too? It is like he doesn’t know what he wants! I’m taking him in on wed for them to check him over but I’m trying to get it in my head that it is probably dementia and that it is kinder to do something about it now than to let him deteriorate further. But it’s so hard, they’re our little fur babies and 15 years is a long time to have them. I want someone to make the decision for me! 💐

The blood tests might indicate if there is an issue at an early stage and you would know if it's likely to get worse and cause him pain. You should speak to your vet to see if its possible to lessen his distress during the test.

It's difficult I know. But whatever decision you make has to be guided by what's in his best interest not yours. No one here can say for sure whether it's time or not which is why you need to be having this conversation with your vet, and urgently.

Hypothyroidism is so rare in cats it basically never happens. Almost certainly the cat has hyperthyroidism

Any chance he has worms?

Thanks so much for the answers. Alot to think about. He is up to date with flea/worm treatment. I've given him so new dry food tonight and he has actually been calmer. He goes off it so much this isn't a new thing I tend to change brands as he likes and dislikes it. God he's a fussy git! But so loved and I think deep down I know he doesn't have long left. I could give him more pouches but then realistically how much is too much? He begs for more 5 mins after eating it at times! He's on 4 different 'premium' brands. So Iams, Purina, Gourmet etc. Not the cheapest supermarket ones. I'll monitor him over the next week and try some new treats to tempt him.

All of those brands are quite low in good meat content. If he is open to trying new food then a grain and sugar free food really is best.

Zooplus is a great website and I recommend Wild Freedom, Macs and Feringa from there.
You can get larger tins and it works out pretty cost effective.
They also have different flavours. Mine love the poultry ones 😊

Pate foods are also better as the ones with gravy contain a lot of fillers.

I've found a huge difference in my cat's behaviour and hunger levels when fed a grain and sugar-free diet.
They were on Purina and Sheba and they were constantly begging. I think they could have easily had 6 pouches each a day and they are only 4kg and verging on underweight.

I've done a lot of research into cat nutrition after mine had some health problems.

At his age he's probably set on what he likes (as he deserves to be 💗) but I just wanted to let you know what I discovered with mine 🥰

Edit to say that for dry food, Thrive is the best on the market in the UK.
I don't feed dry due to mine having urinary issues, but this is definitely the best one. You can get it on Amazon too.