Very old cat - is it time?

[haggisaggis]

We have a 21 year old cat. She stopped grooming a year ago and won't let you near her with a comb so looks awful. However, she continues to eat well and is mobile. ABout 2 months ago she started weeing and pooing in teh house so we spent a fortune shampooing carpets and started thinking that maybe her time had come. However last week we moved to a new house. There are no carpets. She can be kept confined to teh kitchen / dining room and has access outside. She does not seem able to hold urine at all (wees in her sleep - we have puppy pads under vet bed and they are saturated) so we are still mopping the floor a lot of the time - but it's relatively easy and the place doesn't smell. She seems quite happy! Toddles outside to smell teh plants, comes in has some food and goes back to sleep.
Really don't know what to do. The weeing is getting me down - but she really seems quite happy.
WHat would you do?

My cat went blind and deaf by the end. Sne was bumping into things and had moved in next door as it was quieter! in the end she collapsed on next doors drive in the rain and I decided enough was enough. She was 19. It must be hard for you because of the mess and harder if your cat still seems to be coping ok. I don't really know what to advise. It's a hard decision to make.

I think there are 2 trains of thought on Euthanising(sp) pets. With my first cat I put it off as I though she was 'ok' and then sadly found her dead one morning. I believe it was fairly quick but I was cross with myself that she may have suffered and I put it off because I couldn't face it.

When my aged horse was poorly a few years ago , I decided I would put her to sleep before she began to suffer. She had bad legs but was on medication. I chose a sunny day , gave her a massive feed and turned her out on the sunshine and sat with her before the vet came. I know I made the right decision the second time as it was what was best for her NOT for me.

We have had many animals over the years and 21 is very old for a cat and as she is incontinent I would say her time is limited. Please think carefully wether you are keeping her alive for her or for you. It is bloody awful making the decision but we always have had the animals put down at home and vets will come out for about £30, I belive it is worth it as they go so peacfully mostly purring on one of our laps without the stress of cat baskets and vets etc.

Good luck with your decision

i agree v hard decision.i didn't have my old cat pts until he literally was immobile one morning before that he had a good quality of life.sounded a bit like yours is now apart from incontinence.

i think its time to let her go now imho

Cats are such fastidious creatures that yours may be stressed at having been unable to groom for so long and now being incontinent. Only you, however, will know and feel whether or not it is time. Sounds as though it might very well be. Hug.

Thanks for responses. Don't really think we are "keeping her alive for us" - it is us that are dealing with teh mess after all! But the fact she comes to us for a cuddle, shows interest in her food and is still happy to toddle round the garden is what is making the decision so hard. With our old dog it was so obvious - we came home one night and although he was still alive he had already "gone" if you know what I mean. He was no longer our dog but just a shell. WIth her it is so much harder.

Hi!
Im a vet nurse and I have also been through this myself with my own pets. Its so hard isnt it.
In my experience, an animal that has a decent appetite despite everything else means that they are not necessarily feeling unwell, but instead quite well, comfortable and happy in themselves.
The incontinance is a difficult thing though. It depends if she is aware of this, if it stresses her out and if you are coping with this.
It is only a matter of time sadly :( But 21 is a bloody good age!! How are her kidneys?
You got to weigh up pros and cons on her quality of life but also your quality of life. If she isnt in pain then maybe you have a little time??? Just dont let her get to a point where she is unhappy.
Difficult one xx

When I bagan to read your post I thought ,yes if the cat is weeing everywhere then it is generally time .But then you then said that your cat is able to poodle around the garden and you are able to clean up relatively easily after her .Ive had 8 or 9 cats and generally we all have to face this decision at some stage .I ve had a cat with this problem and to be honest the constant cleaning up is difficult and obviously the smell as well,But We did carry on looking after Cleo because like your cat she did not appear ill,still eating and going out side and then one day she just stopped eating and I knew that it was time .To have a cat for 21 years means she is a massive part of your life and as long as she is eating and seems fit at the moment maybe carry on and see how she is in a month or so often they just suddenly go downhill and you know it s time because theyre suffering.