Had to put second cat to sleep within 15 months

[bubblybrit]

I’m not really sure what else to say bar I’m absolutely heartbroken.

Had to put one cat down in July last year as he had severe arthritis and the pain management had stopped working.

Just home from the vets where I’ve had to say goodbye to my other cat. She had problems with her mouth and throat which couldn’t be fixed and none of the management options were working - she just stopped eating although she was starving. Had to hand feed her forcefully for the last two weeks.

DH and I had our little fur babies for over 10 years. I still miss my little boy 15 months on and now have the fresh heartache of losing the little girl.

I feel so guilty as it was our decision to put them to sleep. I know it was in their best interest but I feel as if I killed them both and can’t stop crying.

There is no pain like it is there, they utterly steal your heart.

You did them a kindness PTS - so sorry for your loss

The guilt is immense isn’t it.

You gave them a pay free death that most humans would give anything for when the time comes. I’m so sorry for your loss.

I would say that you are a great cat owner. Too many people keep their pets alive for far too long, with no benefit to the animal at all. Sorry for your losses.

You did the best thing for them and saved them suffering- please don’t feel you’ve made the wrong choice. Life and nature are very cruel and having a prolonged, comfortable life full of love & care and without prolonged suffering at the end is a luxury for our pets that many animals; and even people, in the world don’t have. Please be kind to yourself! I read a wonderful poem after we lost our lovely rescue dog a few years ago; saying how animals leave nothing behind other than a hole in our heart’s; and how their legacy is a place in a loving family that can be enjoyed by another lovely life. Obviously you can’t ‘replace’ them and some people prefer not to; but I feel our second rescue dog is the legacy of our first.. he left behind a space for another life to be saved. I think they’d have loved each other if their paths had crossed.. 💖 sending you a big hug xoxox

I'm so sorry. You've nothing to feel guilty for. I always think a peaceful, pain-free release from suffering is the last gift we can give our pets.

But it so hard to lose them. Be kind to yourself over the next days and weeks. Time does make it easier.

So sorry, its heartbreaking.

it’s horrible isn’t it. You did the right thing for them- they went without pain and suffering and that’s the kindest thing as owners that we can do. We lost both of our boys in the first lockdown and I’ll always be haunted that I wasn’t allowed to be with them (vet would put dogs to sleep in the boot out in the car park where possible but not cats) it’s taken me since then to decide that the house isn’t the same without a cat and we’re picking up 2 kittens in a few weeks- they’ll never replace my boys but are a new start.

I’m so, so, so sorry to hear of your loss. They are not in pain and were very much loved.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my two cats within 2 years of each other. Each time, we paid hundreds (for the second it was thousands) for medical care and medications. I would do it all again but I do wish I had had my second cat put down when his heart wasn’t getting better. I could have saved him much pain and a painful death. It is a huge regret of mine that I didn’t get to do that (vets thought it was well managed and he wasn’t that bad yet). I have promised the new cat that I will give her the soft kiss of night when the time comes, it is my job to do so.
So you did the right thing at the right time. That is something to treasure. There is immense regret in not being able to do so.

Humans make an unspoken pact with their pets that they will do the hardest thing for them when the time comes. We do it from love, and love means we desire the absence of their pain.
You honoured your part, OP and hopefully you can take some comfort in that.

It's so hard. We love them so much.

for you.

You have done the right thing for your beloved cats, but it is heartbreaking. When I lost two cats in quick succession I started fostering for Cat Protection. It’s been fabulous to feel I’m helping all my foster cats bit knowing that I won’t be going through the trauma of losing a cat again.

So sorry ❤️
It’s so hard and so so sad to say goodbye to them.
Having also been in this heartbreaking situation myself I would say that it’s my belief they know you are doing this precisely because you love them. Cats are such proud and independent creatures we are chosen by them for their love and they touch us with their own individual magic.
It always feels sad but it doesn’t always hurt. I remember my little forever kitten cat now not in pain and unable to move but running around, climbing the Christmas tree and nuzzling my children when each of them were born.

They might not be here but they never really leave our hearts

Thank you to all those that have replied. You have made this evening a little more bearable and given me the reassurance I needed that I done the right thing.

I’m sorry that so many of us experience this pain but I guess it’s only because we love so much. I just hope my two realised just how much mum and dad loved and cared for them x