How should i go about this?

My cat is 17 years old.he is a year younger then me....i have had him for 7 years now....he is my baby....my mother keeps telling me its time yo put him down.

He gets up and eats and gets water but some reason he won't get up and use the litter box. He stays in his bed and just goes. Sometimes when he scratches he falls and had a seizure like attack but you can always get him out of it if you pet him.

My mother won't leave me alone about it. But i don't know if he is sick our if it its his time to go....

I can't ask him. I don't understand cats meows. But sometimes i wonder if letting him pass away when he it's ready its the right thing. Or if i should take him out of the pain of his arthritis....and other issues....

Bearbearisloved said:

My cat is 17 years old.he is a year younger then me....i have had him for 7 years now....he is my baby....my mother keeps telling me its time yo put him down.

He gets up and eats and gets water but some reason he won't get up and use the litter box. He stays in his bed and just goes. Sometimes when he scratches he falls and had a seizure like attack but you can always get him out of it if you pet him.

My mother won't leave me alone about it. But i don't know if he is sick our if it its his time to go....

I can't ask him. I don't understand cats meows. But sometimes i wonder if letting him pass away when he it's ready its the right thing. Or if i should take him out of the pain of his arthritis....and other issues....

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I'm sorry that you're having to go through this. Has he been to the vet lately? If so, what did he/she say? If he has not, a visit is probably the best thing right now. The vet can check him over and advise you as to what your options are. Is he eating and enjoying his food? Does he seem happy? The vet can give you a prognosis as to what his quality of life is and what it will be. It might be something as simple as putting a little ramp up to his litter box or maybe some arthritis meds. I wouldn't be even thinking about euthanasia until a vet told me with absolute certainty that it was in his best interest. Even then, I more than likely would go for a second opinion before I made any plans. 

Every time i take him to vet the recomend putting him to sleep because at his age they could just die. Even when it was just a routeen check up the vet still said i should consider it.

I want him to pass naturally. Not on my terms. Cause he is my cat. My baby.and i just don't know what the right thing is here. I just hate being told to kill him.

Bearbearisloved said:

Every time i take him to vet the recomend putting him to sleep because at his age they could just die. Even when it was just a routeen check up the vet still said i should consider it.

I want him to pass naturally. Not on my terms. Cause he is my cat. My baby.and i just don't know what the right thing is here. I just hate being told to kill him.

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This is what I would do

Ask his current vet for a copy of his records (they will give it to you)

Take him for a second opinion. Let the second vet (if you can find one who specializes in felines, even better) go over his records and tell him/her what his regular vet says. The most important thing is his quality of life. No one wants him to suffer unnecessarily and cats are experts at hiding pain and discomfort. Ask the second vet to level with you. What does he/she see as the quality of life for your cat going forward. Nobody ever wants to let a beloved pet go but unfortunately, for a lot of us, that time eventually comes. YOU are your cat's greatest advocate. He cannot speak for himself.  I'd ask the vet flat out, "If my cat could talk, what would he say?" If the vet concurs with his regular vet and feels as though it's time, then the tough decision needs to be made. 

The decision to euthanize is an awful one but it is also the ultimate act of kindness for an animal who is suffering. If it's the way things end up going, he will never hold it against you as he knows it was done out of love and concern for his well being. He will ALWAYS love you, no matter what. 

Bearbearisloved said:

Every time i take him to vet the recomend putting him to sleep because at his age they could just die. Even when it was just a routeen check up the vet still said i should consider it.

I want him to pass naturally. Not on my terms. Cause he is my cat. My baby.and i just don't know what the right thing is here. I just hate being told to kill him.

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Cats and people are unique.  I think you know your cat, and your cats quality of life... I went through the same thing with our cat who had CRF, every appointment the vet said we should euthanize her.  I am bothered by this becoming a routine acceptance of the end of life. Its not that i think animals should have to suffer to the bitter end.. or humans for that matter, but I know our cat didnt want to die.  She had things she looked forward to each and every day until she took her last breath.  It is also true that cats just don't let go and head for the light... the vet said she would keep hanging on and hanging on... and he was right, she did... but I don't feel l ike it was a crime or a bad thing to keep her comfortable and let her fade.  If someone else is okay with using medications to send their pet to the rainbow bridge, I respect that choice... but it will be humans next.  And just like with animals at first it was used in serious dramatic cases where a pet was in agony... and now it is as routine as vacinations.  With humans, it will be the same.  We already have Dr. Kevorkian - that was the extreme.  the nursing home is constantly saying "should we just let your mom go?" and it will end up being a urinary tract infection or something... for 10 years the nursing home has been ready to "send her to rainbow bridge".  Once it is accepted, it becomes EXPECTED.  I am going to climb down off my soapbox now... this is your moment... So, the bottom line, death is a natural thing that will occur with or without you.  There is nothing wrong with letting death takes its natural course.  Euthanasia is an acceptable means to shorten the journey, if that is what you choose. Its not like your cat is cleaning up her own pee or paying her own vet bills... If Euthanasia is the choice you make, then you are the one who lives with that choice. If it doesn't feel right to you, 999 people telling you its right is not going to change what it is.  Whatever you decide, I am sure it will be the right choice for you and your kitty... and it will be made because you love her, and want to do whats right.  All I am saying is you are the only one who knows whats right in your heart.

Sorry you are going through this.  Hang in there!

Sorry..

It is truly sad that so many vets today seem to always suggest euthanasia when dealing with an older pet or a pet who may be ill but still has some life left. My vet suggested it when my previous cat became ill but he respected my wishes when I said no.
Please do not allow anyone to tell you to put your precious kitty to sleep when clearly you are not ready.
Besides I don't think your kitty is ready either. You don't mention your kitty being ill. He may be getting a little older but that is no reason to end his life. Many cats live into their 20's. They may not act like kittens anymore but they may still be happy.
Maybe your kitty just needs a little stool or something to reach the litterbox or climb on a bed. He may need medication for arthritis, just like humans do.
You are the only one that truly knows your kitty. You are the only one that should decide his future.
If he appears contented than you could let him live out his remaining time and pass naturally.
Whatever you decide I am sure it will be what is right for you and your kitty both.
Just remember that there is no going back.
You are the one who must be at peace with your decision.
All the best to you and your kitty!
May we see a picture of your precious kitty?
What is his name?

I am so sorry you have to be facing end of life issues with your cat.  Alas, it is part of life.

I am the owner of a twenty year old and on a monthly basis I am questioning her quality of life.  In my own mind, I have decided that when she can no longer get herself to the litter box it will be time for me to euthanize her.  I say this because of the fact that cats are extremely clean animals and I don't think she would be happy if she urinated and eliminated where she lay.

This is an extremely personal decision that only you can make.