Caring for terminally ill cat whilst living with other cats

[Tuckytuck]

My sweet and very elderly cat is terminally ill - cancer. We'll probably only have him for a few months. Vet says keep him so long as not in pain, which he seems not to be, and advises no treatment. He's at times hemorrhaging blood from the tumours which vet says will happen.

He's mostly sleeping and is happy to accept fuss. Eating well. His favourite place in all the world is on my bed, day and night, and I'm happy to have him there as he's content there and we like being close to each other. Other 2 cats don't bother him.

He's become reluctant to go outside to toilet preferring to do so on the floor in the kitchen, sometimes other rooms. We don't have litter trays as all 3 cats have access to the outside via a cat flap.

If I introduce a litter tray the other cats will use it too.

I'm accepting of my bed linen getting stained with blood but would prefer carpets not to be. And finding little wees and poos around the house isn't great.

I can cope with all this and will keep him loved and comfortable, but is there a better way to manage the toiletting and bleeding? Not talking vet related - just how to manage it within the home.

Why are you so opposed to having a litter tray? We have them so the cats don't use neighbours gardens as much because they have young children. I would prefer that it is all contained in one place rather than all over neighbour's lawns.

Another option you could try is putting a washable incontinence chair pad on the floor where he most likes to go and see if he will use that, you can then wash it.

Why can’t the other cats have use of the tray? I would get a couple.
Though honestly I would like a second opinion. We had a cat with abdo tumours. I can’t imagine not providing palliative care of some kind. Cats are notorious for masking pain.

We have a litter tray for our Ragdoll who chooses never to go outside. The other four cats are not remotely interested.
Cats are clean creatures, your old boy is probably distressed at having to use the floor, please provide him with a litter tray.

The only kind course of action at this stage is to preserve the dignity of your cat by having him put to sleep.

He will be suffering. Your vet has given you very bad advice.

I used puppy pads for my girl which worked really well x

Give him a tray and line with newspaper if you have to or soil. Cover bed with a protector or old shower curtain then put towel on top. Think about why your keeping him going, are you sure he’s not in pain or distressed, better to pts on day to soon rather than one day to late. It doesn’t matter when you pts it still hurts, you obviously love him just make his last bit of time As comfortable as possible and not just cleaning up after him 💐

I agree. A family cat had a tumour and carried on as normal for some time, going outside etc. He was put to sleep once the decline started, for his sake.

In the meantime, you need a couple of litter trays, it will be distressing for your cat to not have an easy and suitable place to go.

Just use a tray. Your other cats cat use it. You neighbours will thank you! And you will not have cat shit in random places in your house. Win win.

What's the problem with using a litter tray? Doesn't that kind of come with owning cats?

Sorry but if it was my cat I'd be putting them to sleep now. Doesn't sound like a great life for him at the minute. He might feel unwell, even if not in actual pain. Doesn't sound like much if a life for him.

I third was @bisk said. I think the kindest thing would be to put to sleep. Cats are very good at hiding pain and quite often will purr with pain. How can bleeding not be uncomfortable? I am so sorry OP. It's awful when faced with these choices.

It’s death we’re talking about here, I would go with what the vet said. You know your own cat, don’t kill him on the basis of random strangers on the internet.

There are worse things to happen to an animal than being peacefully put to sleep you know

A cat who has reached a good age and is now suffering with haemorrhaging tumours needs to be put to sleep, not kept going for as long as possible

It's an act of kindness. To keep an elderly cat limping on is an act of cruelty

Try puppy pads for the bed ... although your mog probably won't want to lie on them

Bite the bullet and get a litter tray. If your cats generally go outside it's unlikely they'll change their habits....but that includes your ailing cat too.

Pets at home sell a cat odour removing enzyme spray which should help with odours.

So sorry, it's heartbreaking when it gets to this stage. 💔

Have a litter tray in your bedroom and keep the door closed.

A very much loved boy of ours developed a number of tumours. He started to drool blood continuously and rub it off on paintwork, furniture etc. The vet said he couldn't really assess how much pain he was in. It was a horrible decision but I think I knew my lovely furry companion was ready to go

This. I am really surprised at the advice that the vet has given you. Cats are great at masking their pain, but your cat is obviously suffering.