I feel bad just posting this...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's about finances, then say so. Don't pretend the cat's quality of life is bad enough to warrant being euthanized. If the OP had the money, no doubt she would continue buying the expensive food.

Finances are a huge issue with pets and veterinary care. Whether it's a one-time expensive surgery or a monthly expensive prescription food, finances must be considered as well as quality of life. Both are valid and important questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sincerely feel bad for OP. But pretending it is in the cat's interest to be put down is some extreme rationalization.

The cat is not the only member of the family, and not even a human member of the family. Why does the cat's interest trump the family's financial well-being? $1200 a year *is* a lot of money and *is* a big deal if the family doesn't have this money to spend. What happens if the OP or her spouse loses his/her job? Would you seriously suggest that keeping this incredibly old cat alive by artificial means via an expensive diet is the OP's moral obligation even if it potentially risks a catastrophic financial situation leading to bad credit, debt, inability to pay bills, and even homelessness?

OP, you and your family have to make the decision that works for you. I find that some people on this board, no matter how well-meaning and compassionate they may be, have an absolutist moral stance that keeping an animal alive is an at-all-costs endeavor no matter what hardships or sacrifices that may entail. Quantity of life for the animal is what matters to them, not quality of life and certainly not quality of life or hardship for the human owners of the animal.

Please make a decision that works for you and your family. Whatever that decision is, whether to euthanize now or not, is your decision and no one else on this board has the right to criticize you or judge you for it. You are not a bad and evil person if you decide to euthanize now. You are also not a bad and evil person if you decide not to euthanize now but you revisit that decision in a month. You're a good person no matter what, and whatever hard decision you choose to make will be the right one for you and your family.

The only decision you cannot make is to keep your cat alive forever because that's not an option (no matter how much some people might engage in wishful thinking otherwise).

I actually didn't say financial considerations never matter and I EXPLICITLY said I don't support keeping animals alive by artificial means or at all costs. Describing a dietary restriction as "artificial means" is incredibly strained though. There is no evidence at all that this cat is in distress. If liking an abnormal amount of sleep and not tolerating certain foods indicates a poor quality of life, I need to euthanize both my five year old and my wife.

At the end of the day, this is a pet, not a person. If OP doesn't want to or cannot continue to feed it, that's her right. I just don't think we should pretend its in the cat's best interest. OP herself acknowledges pretty much as much, both in her post title and when she says the cat is "basically in good health."

As a side note, I really think there's some diet solution that doesn't cost $100 a month. My friends had a cat of similar age who ate only boiled chicken, for example. It set her owners back more than regular cat food, but it sure wasn't $100 a month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it's about finances, then say so. Don't pretend the cat's quality of life is bad enough to warrant being euthanized. If the OP had the money, no doubt she would continue buying the expensive food.

Finances are a huge issue with pets and veterinary care. Whether it's a one-time expensive surgery or a monthly expensive prescription food, finances must be considered as well as quality of life. Both are valid and important questions.

Not that PP, and I don't really disagree with you, but call a spade a spade. If OP feels comfortable deciding this based on finances alone, then so be it. If she can't bring herself to do it unless she pretends the cat would be better off as well, then she shouldn't do it, because she's just rationalizing.

[Anonymous]

My cat is on Hill's Science Diet k/d formula for her very slowly failing kidneys. We caught her kidney failure very early six years ago and the low protein food slows down her inevitable kidney failure.

For years she was fine on the dry food but reached a point where it caused constipation. So now it must be the canned food or she can't properly eliminate her bowels.

I would love to take the bargain hunter up on his or her offer to find the food cheaper. I currently pay $50.93 including tax for 24 can "pallets". She goes through close to 1.5 to 2 cans a day so I need 45-48 cans each month. This costs me $3.12/day at least. There is no one in the family who gets to spend that much on himself or herself each month :/

Thanks for the sites that have been recommended. I will check them out!

[Anonymous]

It seems whenever there is a new addition to a family or finances change, the first thing people tend to think is, "Ugh! What are we going to do w/the family pet....??!"
When any dynamic changes in a family, it's always the family pet that gets the short end of the stick.

OP while your cat is old now, if she isn't living her days suffering from constant pain, etc. than I say let her continue living her life. It shouldn't be considered a privilege to live, it should be her fundamental right as a feline!

Can you cut co$ts in other areas of your limited budget?
Perhaps buying generic vs. name brands? Or collecting cans + glass bottles to recycle?
What about doing some part-time babysitting to earn some extra cash?

You can even hold a weekend yard sale.

Where there is a strong will, there will always be a way.

Good luck. ^^
O O
(( ))

[Anonymous]

OP, the age of your child may come into this. Assuming here not an infant.

If you put Fluffy down, your child learns that once someone is old and not contributing to the group anymore (here, meaning, consuming and pooping but not cuddling or interested in the other members of the group) that they are now expendable.

True, this is an animal and not grandma, but OP you always want to think about what behavior you model with respect to this issue. Because one day you might be old, not in pain, but just sort of there, consuming and not contributing, and your cash-strapped child might have to decide what to do with you.

This should not make the decision for you, but I do think it should be a factor in the decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems whenever there is a new addition to a family or finances change, the first thing people tend to think is, "Ugh! What are we going to do w/the family pet....??!"
When any dynamic changes in a family, it's always the family pet that gets the short end of the stick.

OP while your cat is old now, if she isn't living her days suffering from constant pain, etc. than I say let her continue living her life. It shouldn't be considered a privilege to live, it should be her fundamental right as a feline!

Can you cut co$ts in other areas of your limited budget?
Perhaps buying generic vs. name brands? Or collecting cans + glass bottles to recycle?
What about doing some part-time babysitting to earn some extra cash?

You can even hold a weekend yard sale.

Where there is a strong will, there will always be a way.

Good luck. ^^
O O
(( ))

OP here. Ugh, what a sanctimonious guilt trip! I've obviously put my cats needs as a top priority for years or she wouldn't be 21 and relatively healthy.

Get off your high horse. I have a child and some pretty stressful life situations going on. I'm trying to keep it together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, the age of your child may come into this. Assuming here not an infant.

If you put Fluffy down, your child learns that once someone is old and not contributing to the group anymore (here, meaning, consuming and pooping but not cuddling or interested in the other members of the group) that they are now expendable.

True, this is an animal and not grandma, but OP you always want to think about what behavior you model with respect to this issue. Because one day you might be old, not in pain, but just sort of there, consuming and not contributing, and your cash-strapped child might have to decide what to do with you.

This should not make the decision for you, but I do think it should be a factor in the decision.

You don't know my situation and my child will never be independent much less supporting me so save your snotty lecture.

[Anonymous]

I feel for yoU, OP. I think you do what you need to do. I am a huge animal lover and just went through something similar with my dog, although the finances were not my driver. Your cat is just living her days out. My geriatric doc was doing the same and I mentally came up with so many excuses as to him just sleeping all day and being fine because he was eating. After putting him down, I knew I should have done it months ago and just couldn't bear to. I think you need another vet and one who will work with you on the cost or give better options as to the food. I've switched my other dog from Rx food to higher end (less expensive food) by working with the knowledgable folks at my local pet mart (Webers).

You did best by your cat and unfortunately your situation has changed. The cat has lived longer than most cats and you can be proud knowing you gave her a great long life. Ignore the haters on the board. good luck.

[Anonymous]

What's in the food? Do some research maybe you can find cheaper substitute.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, 13:28, it is a relief just to know someone here knows where I am coming from.

13:32, the food is Hill's science diet k/d formula. I've tried to find a substitute. One cheaper substitute I found required shipping so the savings were eaten up by that.

I'd love to know of one more reasonably priced.

Or maybe I should set aside a couple of hours tomorrow to call around to some vets and rescue shelters as others have suggested.

[Anonymous]

Hi- it's 13:28 here. I googled some sites. Check these out to see if you can find a cheaper alternative.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2524186/alternative-to-hills-science-diet-kd

http://www.felinecrf.org/dry_food_usa.htm

The last link is a chart comparing nutrients of the prescription food to non prescription food. This is for dry. There's also one for wet. You should be able to switch to a non prescribed food if the nutrients are equivalent. You would want to gradually switch 90(old)/10(new), then 75/25, 50/50, etc until you are off of old food.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for those links and especially the Tanya site. It made me realize my cat has deteriorated more than I knew. Not raggedy to say it's time yet but I have a better idea of what to look for.

I checked out Chewy's but with shipping cost there's no savings there. I'll try calling some vets and shelters and see if I get any discounts. I feel like there should be a senior discount for older pets!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for those links and especially the Tanya site. It made me realize my cat has deteriorated more than I knew. Not raggedy to say it's time yet but I have a better idea of what to look for.

I checked out Chewy's but with shipping cost there's no savings there. I'll try calling some vets and shelters and see if I get any discounts. I feel like there should be a senior discount for older pets!

Chewy's ships for free if you spend more than $49. Just buy two months worth at a time.

[Anonymous]

Cats are not people. Pets are not people. You're not putting down your cat for fun, hobby or sport. You're doing it because the human side became a bigger priority. You gave the cat a long, good life. Take care of your family, hug your baby extra tight. You don't need the added stress right now.

Oh, and after you made your decision, one way or another, don't come back to this thread. It's just going to make you feel like shit.