Hey!
I have an 11-year-old cat that has been declining for some years now, lately drastically.
He has been diagnosed with arthritis after a visit to the vet due to a bone injury. This cat has become increasingly shy and withdraws. Peeing in sinks and in the shower.
Claws marks on the neighbor’s car and runs into them sometimes when they open the door and they are unfortunately super allergic to fur animals.
We had our first child last year and do not have time to give her the attention she is used to, which gives us terrible feelings of guilt.
We have tried to find another home for her without results and I am contemplating whether to put her to sleep or not.
But I get such feelings of guilt.
How long does a cat live with arthritis?
Is it wrong to think of putting him to sleep?
Hello,
It does not sound like your cat is feeling so well, I’m mainly thinking about its weight loss, behavioral changes and urination.
Cats that feel bad, physically or mentally, can start peeing and pooping in the wrong places.
Maybe it is time to first take the cat to the vet for an examination to rule out that there is nothing physical that makes her behave differently and withdraw?
Regarding arthritis, it is something that many older cats suffer from and that they can in most cases live with, sometimes they may need help in the form of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
If you feel that you can not offer your cat a good home, the options are relocation or putting it down, which you are talking about.
Have you been in contact with cat homes in your area, maybe they can help try to find a new home for your cat?
It takes time and sometimes requires a relatively large effort to find a home for older cats specifically, but it usually works out.
I think you should see putting your cat to sleep as a very last resort.
I hope this gave you some answers! Good luck.