How to tell cat is in too much pain?

[cosmosforall]

My darling cat is dying. Abdominal mass and kidneys failing. The vet has said it is up to is when to put him to sleep.

But how do we tell when the pain is too bad and it's time for him to cross the bridge?

He sleeping a lot, still eating a bit, will tolerate a little fussing but then takes himself outside. His back legs are weak and his has lost so much weight. But he doesnot seem visibly in pain.

You will know. But personally I'd be doing it sooner rather than later. Better a week to soon than a day to late.

I'm sorry you're going through this - I am 5 weeks on from the same situation. He will tell you - he will very probably stop eating and cleaning himself. He will change in personality too. My lovely vet came to the house and it was very peaceful but sad. Sending a hug x

I think I would do it sooner rather than later, I really do believe it's better a week early than a day late

Cats are so good at masking pain, they can be in agony and you wouldn't know. Personally I would be doing it asap x

The exact same happened to my little darling who was PTS a few weeks ago.
I too struggled with trying to tell if she was in pain/uncomfortable.

In her last few weeks she started positioning herself very oddly, as if she couldn’t bear to put pressure on the abdominal mass.
Then I noticed she was no longer purring when she got fuss (she always loved this).
Eventually she camped out next to her food and water and just slept the entire time, only waking to eat and drink and then back to being slumped awkwardly.

The combination of these factors, and the fact she was clearly no longer enjoying life was what made me take her to the vets and make the painful decision (with the agreement from vet).

It’s so hard to tell in cats but for my little girl these signs made it clear.

This. I got caught out by one of mine a couple of times. Was mortified when I realised.

As others have said - better a week early than a day late.

Pain is difficult to judge in cats. I would think about whether he's still enjoying life. Whatever his little pleasures were - lying in the sun, watching the birds, being around his people - does he still enjoy them? Or is he just getting through the day?

Thank you everyone. Really useful advice. We have booked him in for Monday but have also got a number of a vet who comes out to the house if he gets worse over the weekend.

Never had to do this before - but I just want the best for him xxxx

So sorry for you but you know you are doing the right thing, please be good to yourselves, I hope your little friend has a peaceful weekend and feels the love surrounding him