Sensitive issue - how do you know when it’s time?

[JaceLancs]

I have 2 cats, the older one is 16 and has started losing weight very rapidly, I suspect she has a tumour or leukaemia
Still eating well, purring and sleeping a lot
We have given litter tray and puppy pads as she can’t toilet outside anymore
The last few days she is struggling to get up onto furniture and back legs sometimes wobbly
I have had cat or cats for over 40 years and have always known when it’s time to let them go but this time I’m hesitating
Doesn’t appear to be in pain but I know it’s hard to tell - she’s always been very feisty and now is actually being easier going
I think I’m hesitating partly because out of the 2 cats she has never favoured me - even though originally DD cat she prefers men and is DS shadow
she appears fully with it mentally too - I’ve had older cats before with feline dementia

If you think she has a tumour have you taken her to the vets?

No I’ve not taken her to the vets as she gets very distressed - I’ve had telephone and zoom calls with them though
I rang them again today for advice and they are going to come out and see her
I’m a bit in denial I think as feel like this step will finalise it

This is so sad. Hope you manage to make a decision. I went through the recently with our boy. He was happy and purring but he wasn't well. I think it's kinder to pts at this stage if his legs are going. Did the vets come out to see you? X

My poor old 16 year old cat had to be pts last Thursday. She hadn't eaten a bite all week, and barely anything the previous week. She also had no strength in her back legs, probably arthritis. She was never a very big cat, but in 2 years had gone from 3kg to 2kg.

The vet said it was likely a liver or kidney problem and she could have blood tests etc, with possibly a 4 day stay at the vet on a drip. We had to make the difficult decision.

Just ask the vet when they come if it's time or not quite yet. Sorry you are having to go through this. When my son's cat was 18 it had a seizure and he took it to vets and they PTS in his arms. My son was 23 and it was the first time I saw him cry since he was a small child.

We had our 17yo girl PTS today. She had thyroid issues and was medicated for that, but suddenly became very bloated in the last week.
Even this morning though she was still eating, and purring when stroked.
She was very much DHs cat, he is very sad and DD is heartbroken. DS thankfully isn’t quite as upset, but then she’s always avoided him as too loud/active and not conducive to sitting on.

The house feels emptier without her in it.

My beloved cat started to really struggle jumping into furniture she could previously jump onto with ease. Sometimes she fell back down again. She was clearly in pain. I had her on pain meds for a bit but she then fell off my bin onto concrete and really hurt herself. I knew then it was time as it was awful to see. She was 17. Miss her so much but she had a great life.

Much love to everyone who have lost their much loved pets
Evie died peacefully in her sleep at home last night in the end - I gave her a fuss before I went to bed around midnight and found her gone when I got up this morning
Sad but glad it ended this way