Putting an elderly pet down

[Anonymous]

At what point is it ethical to do so? My 18 year old cat has kidney disease and heart issues. Vet has said he could get a blood clot at any point. The cat vomits multiple times a day and has ruined multiple rugs at this point. He howls any time he is about to vomit like he is in pain.

But the cat still eats and drinks and is affectionate. From the online “is it time?” checklists it seems like his quality of life is still good enough to not think about euthanasia yet.

I love this cat. But I am also over having to worry about him and the destruction of my house. We’re set to travel soon and though he’s always done well with a cat sitter, I just don’t want the stress of him possibly dying while we’re gone.

Would it be unethical to consider euthanasia before our trip?

[Anonymous]

I would put him down before you leave so you could be with him. No animal should die alone and scared.

The cat is 18 and in pain with a condition that will kill him. It is time. No one should be forced to suffer.

My first dog, I let live too long. I realized it after the fact. It was hard to forgive myself. I will not make that mistake again.

[Anonymous]

We put down an elderly cat in a similar scenario before travel - did not want to subject the cat to the stress of us being gone. Not one moment of regret.

[Anonymous]

The right time is when you are ready
You have been a good pet owner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would put him down before you leave so you could be with him. No animal should die alone and scared.

The cat is 18 and in pain with a condition that will kill him. It is time. No one should be forced to suffer.

My first dog, I let live too long. I realized it after the fact. It was hard to forgive myself. I will not make that mistake again.

This is the hardest thing to know. Our first pet, we waited to long. The second, we were better, but I still feel like a little too long - just a day or two, but I still feel so guilty, because I should have known better.

[Anonymous]

When the cat started vomiting in pain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would put him down before you leave so you could be with him. No animal should die alone and scared.

The cat is 18 and in pain with a condition that will kill him. It is time. No one should be forced to suffer.

My first dog, I let live too long. I realized it after the fact. It was hard to forgive myself. I will not make that mistake again.

This was me too.

What those euthanasia checklists don't tell you is that when the pet has reached that level, they have already started suffering and that it might have been kinder to let them ho earlier.

I know my little guy would forgive me, so I have let go of the regrets now.

[Anonymous]

I just had to do this for my beloved dog. And I think I waited too long. I hope he forgives me. It is very hard to know the exact right time to do it. There might not be one. So just pick a time that is ok and try not to second-guess.

[Anonymous]

Howling in pain and vomiting multiple times a day?

It's passed time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would put him down before you leave so you could be with him. No animal should die alone and scared.

The cat is 18 and in pain with a condition that will kill him. It is time. No one should be forced to suffer.

My first dog, I let live too long. I realized it after the fact. It was hard to forgive myself. I will not make that mistake again.

+1.
Also, eating is often the last thing to go, and the fact they're eating does not, IMO, mean they have good QOL.

Sorry, OP. Hope you have a peaceful goodbye.

[Anonymous]

Check with the vet to see if the cat is in pain.

Ruining your rugs is not a reason for euthanasia.

[Anonymous]

My cat (19yrs) was pretty normal right up until her last week, despite having a large tumor. She’d lost weight over the previous year, but was still herself, affectionate, normal appetite, the 3P’s (peeing, pooping, purring), and otherwise normal acting, and then she took a very dramatic downward trend.

It was awful watching her crash that last week before I could get a vet to come out to put her down at home, but if I’d put her down any sooner I’d have been taking her too soon.

You’ll always second guess yourself after the fact.

[Anonymous]

Cats hide their pain very well. I think it's OK to euthanize to save the rugs. If the cat was peeing in the house, it'd be OK so why not vomit? I'd rather it be done too soon than too late.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like its time. Its okay to consider your vacation and not wanting to cause your pet more stress by leaving them.

[Anonymous]

It does sound like it’s time. Also, it’s a lot for cat sitter to handle if your cat gets even worse while you’re away.