When to have the compost cat put to sleep ?

[TalkinPeace]

On my profile are a couple of pictures of compost cat.

For those who did not read at the time ....
I went up the garden and found a starved, dehydrated, ragged cat curled up in my compost heap to die.

I brought her indoors and cared for her.
Against the advice from the vet we have never treated the kidney failure / the heart failure / the skin cancer / the artriitis/ the deafness / the glaucoma.
When we are home she potters along, weighing under 4 lb
she uses a litter tray even though she goes outdoors each day
BUT
if we go away she protest shits : everywhere : and each one is blood filled sludge

we have the most wonderful house sitter who has rightly refused to look after her again
(we have 2 other cats btw who are no hassle and avoid compost cat)

we have family bookings coming up and there is a part of all of us (me, DH, DS, DD) that agrees to have her put to sleep before her innards collapse
rather than after she shits all over the house while we are away

we love her : she can be sweet
but since the hour I found her she's been on borrowed time
how long do I balance purring against bleeding bowels?

You know in your heart that you should make the call tomorrow. Knowing this certainly doesn't make it an easier decision though. Really feel for you having been through this with elderly cats in the past- I'm the world's biggest softie too so found it indescribably hard! Hope you manage to make a decision that you're comfortable with- sending you virtual strength and thoughts!

It is a really hard thing to do but I think it sounds as if you would be doing the right thing if you book a vet appointment for tomorrow

Her health is likely to only get worse and old cats can be quite precarious - I had the same thing, they would look to be at death's door one day & then the next day they would have perked up. But the general trend in health was always downwards at that age

Booked in.

She cannot decide whether to wash my hand or bite if I go to stroke her.
I watched her walking near the other cats and she has to think where to place each foot.
All will be done by 3pm today

and then I can get rid of that bloody litter tray and clean the sofa of ginger fur and the other two cats will be able to return to the living room that has been "her" domain

I'll post a picture of her shortly.

it's hard but you are doing the right thing; when she is at peace, then bury her in her 'spot' and plant some catmint/nice plant on the grave. Raise your glass to 'compost cat'

Been thinking if you today. Hope it all goes as well as it can - you made a brave decision xx

Oh god - I put kisses!!! So sorry!

I think that's right. Stay strong and take care of yourself.

Thank you all for giving me the strength do do the right thing.

The vet gave her a checkup.
She still weighed 5 1/2 pounds
BUT
I'd not spotted that she was hyperthyroid
as well as kidneys and heart and skin and arthritis.

Tonight we bury her by the heap where we found her before Christmas.

And PLEASE do not post that the Rainbow bridge poem.
I'm not like that.
I've already cleared that darned litter tray and de stinkified her room

The other two cats have not yet clicked she's gone - but they are rather thick

One picture taken as I found her. The other taken this morning. On my profile

Aha, have worked out how to get pics onto the thread

RIP.

How have your dc taken it?. RIP compost cat

TalkinPeace

Oh yes, that is an old and noble cat. You have done the humane and brave thing. Hugs to you all.

You did the right thing by compost cat. And you gave her a great end of life - love, warmth, security and affection.

Fluffy
The kids are upset, as are DH and I.
But she is now resting next to her compost heap and faces no more pain.
The other two cats are still hurtling around avoiding her shadow
but the litter tray smell is diminishing (every cloud has a silver lining)

And yes, we believe she was quite old and had had an interesting life before she found us : quite a character

Ah bless her. You gave her warmth and comfort at the end of her life and she looks content in that picture from this morning.
RIP compost cat