How do you know when it’s time…

[EmmaMY]

Hi,

We have an elderly moggie that has been with us for almost 16 years! My question is, how do you know when it is time for her to venture up into the kitty heaven?

She has slowed down a lot in the last year and sleeps plenty, but still manages to get up and down the stairs, eats, uses the toilet, groom herself well enough etc. She is well enough in herself, but I get the feeling that she is in a bit of pain as her back is quite arched, her legs are very shaky and she often limps when walking and won’t settle or get comfortable on our laps any more, possibly due to pain?

She is on Youmove from the vets which helps, but only so much… I’m guessing it will become obvious, but just wondering what to look out for and preparing myself for the inevitable… 🥺

thank you for reading! Photo of my kitty cat! 😻

Your puss is beautiful!

With my dog, I just knew. He'd been going downhill for about six months but one evening he just changed, he wouldn't settle, he became incontinent. I took him to the vet the next day and he went very, very peacefully. I held him the whole time. The vet asked if I'd like to leave him there for investigations but he was 15, had arthritis, had seizures occasionally so I said no, he was my best friend and I wasn't going to put him through that. I just knew that was his day.

I can't explain it, but you will know. You know your cat and when it is time, you'll make the hardest decision for you but the kindest, most loving decision for them. Better too soon than too late. Its so heartbreaking.

You will know!

When they are clearly suffering then the time is right!

It can be tempting to try everything, but when you're only keeping them going because you don't want to lose them, then that's the right time too!

If they stop eating/drinking/ the vet tell you/they can’t get up themselves/become incontinent /confused.

It’s so difficult, your cat looks very pretty.

I knew with my dog, and I’m getting nearer the time for his brother, both old men, I think they know too x

Thank you everyone! ❤️

I know that you are all correct and that I will just know… I know that she will “tell me” and I will just have to be ready when it happens… 🥺🥹 Hopefully it will be a while yet, but just preparing myself I think! ❤️

Hi! When they are clearly suffering then the time is right and your cat will let you know through his behavior and look

My dog was poorly and elderly.

The vet offered to open him up to see what was going on inside.

I declined as I didn't feel our old boy should have to go through it at his age!

That's when we felt the time was right!

I agree with @GreeceIsTheWord It really really hurts, and I know you would do anything to keep them with you for just a few more weeks, but if they are elderly and starting to suffer, you can go through so many anxieties of "what if this investigation, what if that treatment" the answer is normally the same, just more expensive, and might not help anyway. I hope the best for you, it's hard xx

Yumove is a good arthritis supplement but if she’s showing signs of pain she would most likely benefit from some actual pain relief for arthritis which you can get from your vet. Cats aren’t the best at telling us when they’re in pain but if you’ve noticed a change in her mobility it’s worth a try as it might really help.