Caring for an Old Cat
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Anonymous
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Our cat is at least 16 years year old. She is completely deaf and isn't getting around too well these days -- she hasn't been able to jump up on the couch or bed to sit or sleep with us for months. I also think she's becoming senile as she mostly just sits and stares into space when she's not sleeping.
For the last two months she has been defecating and occasionally peeing around our house. She tends to cry really loudly right before she goes (like she's confused about where she is) so when we're home, we watch her and listen very closely and pick her up right away and put her in her litter box. It's not that hard to do because we have a small house and she isn't really moving around too much. When we're not home, we keep her in an enclosed area that has very easy access to her clean cat box. Unfortunately, she still is pooping outside her box about once a week. My husband and I have had it. Our whole family loves her, but I can't have her wreck our house in her final, what -- months, weeks? This is an awful question, but how much longer do cats at this stage of their life live? The vet says that physically, she's OK, she's just really old. What should we do? |
Anonymous
| UTI |
Anonymous
| If she poops outside her box once in a week in this restricted area, why is that a problem? Just pick it up and toss it in the toilet. |
Anonymous
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I feel your pain...I have a cat that poops outside the litter box daily. I think you just have to try to make the situation as workable as possible and let nature take its course. The cat doesn't sound like she is suffering.
Perhaps keep her confined to the restricted area more often. For me, recognizing that the time left I have left with my cats (they're both sick) is limited, has made me more patient with them. |
Anonymous
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I understand that caring for your cat has grown more challenging w/age, but I wouldn't suggest doing anything else right now than what you seem to already be doing.
I have two cats who are getting older and trust me, they are getting more challenging as they age, yet I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. Sure my house (furniture, carpets, etc.) are all ruined now, but they are more precious to me than any material items are and I know that when they are gone, I will miss them like crazy so w/that in mind, all the material stuff means nothing to me. |
Anonymous
| When my beloved cat got like this, I kept her in a retricted area with a covering on the floor. |
Anonymous
| My cat is 13 and was pooping on our den rugs. We just pulled up the rugs, and while we are dealing with ugly, cold linoleum tile, it is finite and I consider my cat a family member. That being said, if it continues in our living area and gets worse, we may have to restrict him to the laundry room, and just make it as comfortable for him as possible. |
Anonymous
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Cats can have dementia, too. Litter box mistakes can be a sign of that. I would take her to the vet and rule out a UTI for sure, but please also consider that it might be getting to be time to consider putting her down. At some point, you will only be keeping her alive because it's painful for you, not because it's what's best for her. You need to consider her overall quality of life.
Hugs to you; it's so difficult. |
Anonymous
| We had this issue it meant the end was near and we put her down so she wasn't suffering. |
Anonymous
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When out cat did this it turned out to be from intestinal cancer. He must have been in pain when pooping.
For every pet we've had, I have ended up keeping them alive longer than I should have. I would assess her quality of life and try your hardest to make a decision based on her long term prospects. I'm not necessarily saying put her down now, but think about what criteria you have for high quality of life so that when the time comes it might be an easier decision. |
Anonymous
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When you are ready, put her down.
The right time is when you are ready. |
Anonymous
DON'T. Would you kill your old parents? |
Anonymous
No, the right time is when the pet is suffering or their quality of life is diminished. Most people wait too long and make their animals needlessly suffer. |
Anonymous
| I know that's tough. Our cat started having those problems when she turned about 23, but we had her until she was almost 25. Just make sure he/she has a good qulaity of life. Involve your cat in activities as best you can. The more active the better. And, if your cat likes to sit on laps, be petted... do lots of that. |
Anonymous
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Wow, I can't believe the ages of some of the cats on this thread. Our cats always seem to die between 9 and 11 years old - kidney disease, breast cancer, etc. Sigh. No cats for us at the moment. Can't handle it emotionally.
Good luck, OP. |