Cat is dying.. how long should I wait until we PTS?

[Browndoor25]

My dear cat has kidney disease, hypertension, she is partially blind, underweight, has started peeing and pooping outside of the litter box, and seems confused in the evening (started pacing around the room) however she is still enjoying her food and she is drinking.

She was also at the emergency vets for a UTI on Sunday and she is going back to the vets on Thursday to get her blood pressure tested, etc but I am wondering if I am being selfish by keeping her here. I always thought I would wait until she stopped eating but now I don’t know what to do for the best. She still enjoys a fuss and a head scratch. Does anyone have any similar experiences or guidance? Thanks.

I think it’s probably time

Recently went through this with my dearly loved dog. I always said that I wouldn't let her suffer. Hardest thing I ever did was letting her go. So the question to ask yourself is she suffering? Letting go can be the last and kindest thing to do. I'm so sorry.

I just went through something similar although mine had stopped eating. It was very stressful. We had her put to sleep rather than have any more tests or trips to the vet. I chose this because I thought it was better than a sudden decline and potentially emergency vets. We had a vet come to the house to do it. She had one last lovely cuddle and a sit in the sunshine.

Sorry to hear about your poor cat. It’s so hard. A day too early is better than a day too late. Have a read of this and see if it helps. Cats are very good at hiding pain.

https://www.pallivet.co.uk/when-is-time/

Sorry to hear about this OP.
I've recently been through something similar and I let my beloved cat go at about the stage yours is at now. It's only going to get worse. Mine was purring as she was put to sleep with us both stroking her and talking softly and a very kind and gentle vet making sure she didn't get hurt. I don't think that would have happened if we'd left it much longer.

I think if you're at the point where you're asking if it's time, it probably is time.

Sorry you’ve arrived at this point with your much loved cat.

My approach for pet end of life care is better to PTS a week too early than a day too late xx

I wouldn't wait until she becomes too ill to eat. Human medicine will flog one to the bitter end, but veterinary medicine allows us to avoid end-of-life misery for our pets, and that is a gift.

Better a bit too early than a bit too late. It’s so hard but if they’re only going to get worse, I’d rather let them go before they start feeling rubbish. Most difficult decision but also the most important. Big hug xx

Best to go for it.

the vet put us off multiple times but with hindsight I wish I’d insisted as DCat was suffering so.

Cats apparently will soldier on, they rarely just die so it’s best to do the kindest thing.

Unfortunately, I think it is probably time to her PTS.

My poor dog suffered at the end and it has haunted me for years. Better to let her go now that she still has some quality of life. Give her a delicious final meal and lots of cuddles. I'm so sorry. I know it's so hard to say goodbye.

Better a week too early than a day too late. I'm sorry it's heartbreaking when you lose them xx

I’m sorry 💐 Thanks for sharing

I agree about cats not dying easily - both our wonderful cats went this way and we waited and waited for them to slip away, and it just didn’t happen and got more and more harrowing. My last cat starved for too long and still kept going and we had to pts.

I still miss them both - sorry that you’re going through this.

Don’t be hard on yourself. I’m sure you did what you thought was best for your dog at the time 💐

If you don’t mind me asking, was it kidney disease too? Sorry for your loss 💐

Thank you for this!

Sorry but whatever is best for your cat is the right thing to do. I've found it so hard to let go of my pets and should've let them go sooner, was selfish of me because I couldn't bear losing them.

If they're in pain absolutely, if not but unable to live as they would enjoy, probably yes. If comfortable, enjoy some quality time, give whatever is their favourite good and comfort.

Always heartbreaking 💔 😢 xxx

Ive been there many times and looking back (with hindsight ) always left it too long….. This came from a vet telling me my 12 year old cat was in organ failure and needed to be pts . I asked if I could keep him one more day to let my son say goodbye and the vet agreed. The next morning TomCat was demanding his breakfast and lived very happily for another seven years. This understandably gave me trust issues.
From what you are saying though it sound very much like time and I wouldn't doubt it. Don’t wait until she’s miserable. Big hugs. Its a very painful loss

It was quite some time ago now and I must admit I am not 100% sure but vet wanted to do operations and all sorts but DCat was vomiting, messing inside (never had done this), not grooming and was moping around and mewing all night. He’d been a rescue so we had no idea how old he was but thinking back he could have been close to 20 odd years old. It was just so undignified, you know? He deserved better.

i am very sorry for your loss.

Once they are peeling and pooing like that it’s time - they really don’t like it

with respect you need to be kind and do what she needs now

She’s telling you she’s ready x