Thinking about putting down my 18 year old cat for behavior problems

angelad

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I'm at a difficult point. And I can't believe that I'm thinking of putting down my very old cat for behavior problems, but I am.

He's pretty healthy, with only some expected issues that come with age. I've invested a lot of time & money to keep him that way. I adopted him when he was 10 yrs old.

I'm fostering some kittens that I trapped right now. I've gotten them pretty well socialized and am hoping to get them adopted this week. The last time I had foster kittens that I had trapped he started peeing on things. Fortunately I was able to place them with a good no kill shelter quickly, and they were adopted quickly.

I keep the fosters in my home office in a large dog crate, in between play sessions in the bathroom or inside of my closed office.

I also have 2 strays from my neighborhood that have lived with us since last August that live loose in the house.

My old cat is really mean to other cats. He's awful to my 2 other adopted strays. He's been mostly tolerable around the last litter of foster kittens, until last night, when he attacked me so savagely I'm still in disbelief.

My arm is still so swollen and sore and bloody that I might go to an urgent care facility if it gets any more swollen. I have to wonder how either of my other house cats, both of whom are much smaller than my arm, can endure that much violence on an ongoing basis.

As of this time, I have little to no empathy for this cat. I really don't know what to do with him. I'm seriously thinking of putting him down.

Thanks in advance for any advice or insight.

best,

a
 

talkingpeanut

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I think putting your cat down is a large overreaction.  Don't get me wrong - I totally understand why this is so upsetting and I am very sorry that you were hurt.  However, to be blunt, your cat is acting out and unsettled because of decisions that you have made.  He sounds territorial, which does not make him a good candidate for living in a home with other cats, and certainly not with fosters.  Did you do any sort of introduction when you added these other cats?  Does he have any space that is just his where he feels safe?  Have you considered drugs for him?  I just don't think he should die because he doesn't feel comfortable in his own home...

You are trying to do wonderful things for other cats, which is commendable.  I just wonder if your focus needs to be on your old dude for now.
 

mani

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I'm absolutely with talkingpeanut on this.

I have two cats and would love to foster, but know that it would upset them terribly and so I simply don't do it. 

All of the other considerations that TP mentioned are useful. 

This poor old guy is in the twilight of his life and we all have to make allowances for elderly behaviour (and from personal experience I'm not just talking about cats.
)

I'm sure we all understand the frustrations, but really it's about making the situation work for him.  He's an old boy with not a lot of time left.  Let's see if he can find himself in a happier environment and leave the world as a contented, loved old pussycat.
 

Willowy

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If he doesn't like the other cats, can he stay in one room? Would he be happy with that? I have a "bedroom cat" and that's the way she likes it. Even if I leave the door open she won't leave the bedroom, and she gets mad if the other cats enter HER room!

But yeah, if taking fosters stresses him so much, it's probably best to stop taking fosters until he's gone. Poor old fella deserves a decent retirement :D. You can only hope someone will treat you compassionately when you get old and cranky.
 

foxxycat

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I wonder if your old kitty just doesn't feel loved anymore. Imagine being old and living in a home where other animals take precedence over his needs? He could be reacting to your anger. Maybe you can rehome him instead of killing him. He doesn't deserve to die because things are changing too fast in the house.

Everyone has given you feedback. the thing to remember is=you took him in when he was 10=already old. Maybe it's time to rethink the obligations to fostering and tone it done and spend some one on one time with him. He senses you don't love him anymore. I hope you reconsider putting him down simply because he lashed out in anger. He has been trying to tell you something is wrong but you haven't been listening.
 

r-kins

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Talking Peanut and foxxycat both make really good points.

His human is resentful of his behaviour when all he's done is react to things you've done to his environment. No wonder he feels lousy. If he didn't like fosters before and he has a hard time with your other cats, why are you bringing in more kittens and then blaming him for acting out? He's stressed, he's probably territorial, and now he's got your negative energy directed at him. I have a lot of empathy for him. Seriously take a look at what's happening and think if it's really his fault.

When you get the kittens adopted, try to make him feel comfortable in his own home. He needs to feel like it's his space. Sounds like nonstop stress to me. It's wonderful that you're trying to help foster kittens and strays, but he just might not be able to deal with them in his house. He came first, he should get priority instead of resentment.

Edit: This sounded way too harsh on my end, after thinking about it. Looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice so good luck! I hope you and your cat are happy.
 
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angelad

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Thanks Talkingpeanut, Willow and Mani.

This has been my thinking for the past year or so, after I brought in 2 strays. 

There is plenty of space for my old guy to hang out away from the kittens and the other adoptees. My old guy is really meant to be a solo cat, but circumstances have intervened. I live in a very large loft that has doors only on my office and bathroom. The rest of the space is open. The kittens are in a large dog crate in my office at this time.

I've long felt the cat was surrendered to the shelter from which I adopted him for behavior issues. When something bothers him, he tends to pee or poop on furniture. I've managed to keep that behavior in check, mostly. 

Believe me, if I could find someone to foster these kittens, I would do so in a heartbeat. Hopefully they'll be adopted by next week.

There are a lot of cats in Brooklyn. Hopefully this will be the last litter I will need to socialize for a good long time.

My old cat just really freaked me out when he attacked me. He's done it before, but not very badly. This time was different. I wasn't feeling angry so much as hopeless.

In any case, I'm feeling like I can manage.

I really appreciate the advice and responses.

Best,

a
 
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mani

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That's really good to hear, @angelaD

Sometimes shock and the situation can just feel insurmountable.  I'm sure we all know that feeling.

Do let us know how things are going.
 
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angelad

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Thanks Mani,

I guess the hopelessness set in when, after he attacked me in my office and I was trying to stop the bleeding, he went after the other little cats in the other room; so I was hearing a lot of cat screams.

He's just so aggressive. There is no brand of cat calmer that he will consume, and the sprays and other ambient products don't seem to have much impact.

Thanks again very much,

best,

a
 
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