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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

End of summer, time to let him go

25 replies

MrsRussell · 12/08/2021 11:55

Just wanted to post this as I am so sad about it.
Senior Gentlecat is declining slowly - still happy in himself, still stealing crumpets and sleeping on beds and purring, but increasingly slow and stiff, starting to toilet inappropriately. (We changed his food about a fortnight ago to something top end, and I don't think he's managed a solid poo since...grrrrr.)

He's almost 20 and he's had a good life, and I think when the summer turns it will be time to let him go gently. One of the things he still enjoys is sitting on his plank in the pond communing with the frogs, and I don't think he will manage another long cold winter.

OP posts:

CatChant · 12/08/2021 12:03

What a lovely photo of your beautiful boy.

I think you're making the right decision. I once had a much loved cat who was slowly fading away. I was so glad she had one last glorious summer before it was time to let her go.

I'm sorry. It's always hard.

NemesiaPinkLagoon · 12/08/2021 12:03

What a beautiful cat and a lovely place for him to sit. I'm sorry you feel his time is coming to an end but what a long life. Have you known him since a kitten? It's a painful time but you'll have the memories of your friendship with him.

Original poster

MrsRussell · 12/08/2021 12:13

Thanks peeps.
Had him and his brother since they were six weeks old - brought them across London on the Tube from the farm where they were born, and home on the train to the delight of most of the commuters. He was always a very serious little cat. He's seen me through two husbands, two houses, and a baby...who's now eleven.

OP posts:

Oldraver · 12/08/2021 12:16

Aww that's a lovely picture, he soon won't have any froggy friends (ours disappear so assume yours do) so I imagine that will be the right time for him

Original poster

MrsRussell · 12/08/2021 12:21

@Oldraver there's one big frog who lives just where Matty's tail is (the water is shallow and warm there so you often see his head poking out!) we think that might be his bestie.

His brother - Matty's that is, not the frog's - might feel a bit hard done to about that but....

OP posts:

TheLongRider · 12/08/2021 13:56

I think that's a good decision. My Mum had to do something similar with her cat this year. However the appointed day came for the cat's trip to the vet and she went out that morning and didn't stroll in until after dark. It was a glorious summer's day and I like to think that the cat had one last really good day before she died the next day.

It's a horrible but necessary part of being a cat owner.

Want2beme · 12/08/2021 14:49

What a lovely lad. See how he fares. It's a difficult time

RandomMess · 12/08/2021 15:03

My cat got a new lease of life using YuMove supplements I hope it helps her reach 20!!

What a wonderful boy and faithful companion.

FloconDeNeige · 12/08/2021 15:11

Wow he’s nearly 20, what a wonderful long life! You’re doing the right thing OP. If only we could choose this way for ourselves and our human loved ones, eh?

Original poster

MrsRussell · 12/08/2021 15:33

He's just ambled in covered in paint, so I don't quite know who he's been bothering today.
Now in the kitchen eating boiled chicken and rice to try and get on top of the runny bum, which is not troubling him at all but which troubles me when he sits next to me on a sheepskin rug and lets go.

OP posts:

Topseyt · 12/08/2021 15:48

Awww! What a lovely picture of him, and a lovely memory.

It sounds as though you are making the best (and undoubtedly the hardest) decision for your cat. I’ve been there twice now - once for my elderly cat and once again for my old labrador. It is so difficult.

Twenty years is a very good innings. Both of mine had good long lives, but somehow it never feels like quite long enough, does it?

Try hard to enjoy the time you have left as much as possible.

Wolfiefan · 12/08/2021 15:51

What a stunning pic! Have you consulted a vet at all? They can help with settling stomach and there are meds you can give for arthritis. We had a few more really good years with old cat once we medicated her.
You clearly love him and will make the very best decision for him.

Holothane · 12/08/2021 15:54

Aw bless beautiful photo

Original poster

MrsRussell · 12/08/2021 16:34

@Wolfiefan the vet reckons we're just at the point where we're keeping him comfortable, not making him better, and there's going to come a point in the not too distant when.... well, you know. We're starting him on meds next week but it's very much palliative.
DH standing there with tears in his eyes saying to the vet "yeah I've had cars like that"...

OP posts:

MountainDweller · 12/08/2021 16:34

What a beautiful boy - he's made it to a grand old age. Enjoy the time you have left. We lost our cat Smokey earlier this summer (she looked a little bit like your boy)... it is so sad but we were glad she had some last days in the sun too

Elmrosie · 12/08/2021 16:36

@MrsRussell

Just wanted to post this as I am so sad about it. Senior Gentlecat is declining slowly - still happy in himself, still stealing crumpets and sleeping on beds and purring, but increasingly slow and stiff, starting to toilet inappropriately. (We changed his food about a fortnight ago to something top end, and I don't think he's managed a solid poo since...grrrrr.)

That's a thoughtful and kind plan. We're in the same boat with our beloved ragdoll and like you, I think the end of the summer will be time to let him go.

NoraLuka · 12/08/2021 16:40

What a lovely photo.

Wolfiefan · 12/08/2021 20:06

At that age unfortunately some things can’t be cured. But if they can be managed? Old girl was on thyroid meds and tramadol! She couldn’t have metacam due to an earlier stomach issue. Definitely no cure but if she was happy on the meds then we were happy to do it. Wishing you well. We never have them long enough.

Horsemad · 12/08/2021 20:33

This has made me cry. 😭
Had a terrible day today & been told my beautiful girl has Lymphoma. I am devastated.

He is so gorgeous & as you say has had a long and happy life. Doesn't make it any easier though, does it?

Enjoy your boy's last days. ❤️

Fluffycloudland77 · 12/08/2021 21:07

I’m sorry @Horsemad, that’s awful.

Both of you are reall going through it.

mineofuselessinformation · 12/08/2021 21:13

He looks lovely perched on the log, but also like a very old cat too.
I let my old boy go 21 months ago, and I still have a hole in my heart, even though he was somewhere around 21/22 (not sure as he was a rescue I got when he was already an adult).
It's a tough decision to make, but also a kind one, when you know that things aren't right.

Horsemad · 12/08/2021 21:25

Thank you @Fluffycloudland77.

MountainDweller · 13/08/2021 00:19

@Horsemad so sorry to hear about yours too. The pain of losing them is so awful

Evvyjb · 13/08/2021 06:24

Oh I'm having a weep. He is so beautiful and loved - what a wonderful owner you are.

I lost my girl at 11 last summer to kidney failure, and the pain just doesn't go away. The price of having them and loving them so much I suppose.

Give that boy a cuddle ❤

Horsemad · 13/08/2021 20:40

Thank you @MountainDweller.

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