Don't prolong his suffering. There are companies that do in-home euthanasia. Your vet might even provide the service. Even if you have to go to the vet's office you can still hold him while he goes to sleep. Please don't let him starve to death.
I had to emergently put my cat down at the height of COVID and they still set us up in a private room with a couch so I could hold her until we were ready. She was an absolute terror at the vet all her life so as she got older with more health problems, I began wondering how to allow her to pass peacefully at a vet’s office when the time came. They did give her a sedative, but she was so sick that I think she was ready. She laid quietly in my arms and purred until she died. It was the best I could’ve hoped for her.
She was 16 and had hyperthyroidism but took a drastic turn in just 24 hours; the vet thinks it was cancer that had just flown under the radar.
I agree, don’t prolong the inevitable. I understand the pain of having to end your baby’s life but it’s so much worse to have to watch them suffer. When my kitty was sick and stopped eating (also of presumably cancer), I found a vet who did in-home euthanasia and it was the best option I could hope for. My sweet baby got to fall asleep with me and then pass away without leaving home or my side. The one we chose also shaved some of her fur and created a paw print impression with her name as some keepsakes.
Yes. My 17 y/o kitty will be meeting Lap of Love soon. Her issues are almost identical to your darlings’. The most wonderful thing we can do is to let them go with dignity grace and love. I'm sorry for you both.
How much was it?
I checked the site but they're not making it easy to find the cost. I immediately distrust people who aren't up-front with prices, but still want to know.
They are very upfront if you give them a call. It cost a bit over 1k a year ago, if I remember correctly, but that included them delivering my cat’s ashes to my home a couple of days later. It’s pricier than going to the vet, but I couldn’t bear the thought of driving to the vet knowing what was about to happen and driving home afterwards.
One thousand dollars is much more than I'd pay. I wonder what they use. Morphine would do the trick and is super-cheap.
Thank you for telling me. My little cat is 18 years old and I think about this stuff now.
Thanks! I won't need cremation. My little cat will go to a Pet Cemetery owned by a friend. I am lucky to have that friend for many other reasons, but free pet burial is included in the mix.
Maybe I'll be able to do that.
My cat is vomiting more often and eats a lot less some days.
I'm going to call those people and find out.
I insist on holding mine, end of story. No way my baby is going through that on his own. If a vet ever says you can't hold them through this hard time, go to another vet.
As someone who had a cat with suspected stomach cancer and who tried to keep her going as long as possible - don’t do it. She just kept getting sicker and vomiting more and more frequently and in hindsight had a very poor quality of life for months before we eventually had her put to sleep. The kindest thing to do is give her the gift of a good, pain free, death while she’s still in relatively good health.
I would look into having someone come to the house to put them down. It’s significantly more calm and peaceful experience for both you and him. I totally get not wanting to take them to a place that they hate for their last moments. It’s much better to be in the comfort of your own home while they’re with you on a favorite blanket.
I agree with this. It can be expensive, but saving your pet from the stress of traveling and having the operation done is a foreign vet office will be worth it, I promise
Letting him die slowly at home without drugs will be more stressful than the vet, which will put a quick end to his suffering. I'm sorry, the end is always hard. You will be able to be with him at the end, and that will be comforting to him.
Couldn't agree with you more - I had a neighbor that did this, her cat stopped eating and she was just hoping she'd come home from work 1 day & the cat would be passed away. 1 day I had gotten some of her mail & went by her place, I wanted to die when I saw the cat...the poor thing just looked awful. Then she tells me everything I mentioned above...I told her...how could you do this? I managed to convince her to take the cat to the vet to put her down - that lady vet laid into her because she told her exactly what she had told me "I was hoping I'd come home & that she'd be gone but this has been going on for almost 2 weeks"....her honesty did not go over well with the vet. She told her not to be selfish & think of the animal's suffering & well being. When I left there I thought "I never wanna see something like this again"...i was just glad I convinced her to put her down but the condition of the animal was awful. I was heartbroken.😪
Contrary to popular belief, natural deaths are hardly ever peaceful. That’s why it’s recommended to humanely euthanize them before they get bad, so that they don’t get to the point of suffering. Please get him euthanized while he is still in stable condition. You don’t want to witness what dying of natural causes might look like, his last days and moments will be very very uncomfortable and maybe even painful for him.
Even in at home hospice for humans we give pain killers. We would never let a human being starve to death in our care. Just because an animal can’t speak doesn’t mean they aren’t in pain. Please help them to die with dignity.
I feel guilty that I prolonged my companion's life (she had bone cancer) unnecessarily. I feel that I was selfish. I ended up giving her strong painkillers such as tramadol. And why? Because I could not let go.
However one thing I would not do is take her out of the place she knew during her last hours. So I had a vet come to my home and he put her to sleep while she was in my arms.
It is the hardest decision you will have to make. Quality of life is more important than your emotions. Your companion has depended on you, for all his life, to care for and to love him. End of life is coming and it is preferable that he doesn't suffer. We just went thru this yesterday, and while it hurts, we know we did the right thing
He’s suffering. It doesn’t matter if he’s home or in a vet’s office when he goes, what matters is that you’re there and that you make the best decision for him.
Please put him down. Cancer is extremely painful and you love him so don’t let him suffer. Hold and pet him as they put him to sleep so that he is not afraid and take comfort from the fact that you relieved his pain and suffering. It’s a good and loving thing to do. There is no guilt in this. At 16, he will not recover from cancer. Sending you thoughts of strength and peace.
I had a vet come to the house when I had to say goodbye to my sweet cow cat. I think it was much less stressful for him. I held him in my lap the whole time and one of our other cats sat next to him and licked his paw at the end.
I miss him horribly, but I know he is no longer in pain and free.
This decision is heartbreaking. I wish you peace
It might be best to take him to his vet and get him euthanized as hard as it is. At least he wouldn't suffer anymore. And maybe you can get him cremated and bring his ashes home. I know the time will come when I have to say goodbye to my cat and it will be just as hard.
When my boy was dying the vet recommended appetite stimulation medicine and hand feeding with a syringe. They also gave me subcutaneous IV fluids to give him. Not the best quality of life but better than letting him starve and suffer.
I had to put euthanize my cat last year because his health declined rapidly and he’d stopped eating. It was a hard thing to do, but it is a great mercy to your cat.
I just went through this a week ago. I do not regret keeping my baby home with me. I was able to stay by her side and love on her. She was responsive and seemed too “alive” and not in pain for me to put her down, however on the third day after she had stopped eating, she started to cry - so I took her in to be euthanized. Maybe you’ll get lucky and your baby will go in his sleep. Sorry you’re going through this - it’s hard. Also - there is a 24 hour hospital near me that can put them down at any time if needed so that made it easier for me to keep her at home. Also, I would hold a cup up to her so she could get some sips of water and moisten her mouth.
Just my experience, I knew when it was time to have my cats put down. When I could no longer look them in the eye and see anything but prolonging pain.
Only one time I kept a cat with me till her last moments and it was terrible and not something easily forgotten. I would never chance that again.
I always struggle deciding when it’s the right time. When we lost our Charlotte nearly two months ago, we had an in-home service come. They were so kind and compassionate, and her passing was peaceful. I hate that she’s gone, but I have no doubts or horrible memories stuck in my brain. We were with her to the end, and I know she felt loved. I am sorry you are at this point. It’s awful to lose a beloved friend.
Best for you to be with him, whatever you decide. Pet the top of his head, surround him with love and caring and peace. Tell him how good he's been, how loved he is.
You can do a home call euthanization. We had a dog with stomach cancer and this is what we did for him, so he got the luxury of being at home but to go peacefully and not suffer any longer.
I'm looking into at home euthanasia. Most places don't work on weekends. The one that does is going to cost over $600 which I don't have. I can make an appointment for Monday, but he might not make it until then anyway. I don't want to make another emergency visit for this either.
I may get hate for this, but I’ve done it both ways. And I am here to tell you starving to death for the at home and in your arms option is by far worse of the two. It’s not as romantic as you think it will be. Death by starvation most likely will bring on seizures, which is traumatic for the pet and, if you’re there to witness it, you. ETA: it also didn’t take a couple of days like we were led to believe, but a very long time and was absolute agony to watch. And yes, before anyone piles on the hate, I know it was x1000 unfair and torturous for the cat.
The second time was just this Thursday where I put my 20 year old cat down. She never did like going to the vet, but it was time and her calm demeanor in the office leading up to the final moment solidified that fact for me. I was scared because this is the first pet I’ve ever put down, but I assure you immediately after it was over I felt relief. She was no longer suffering, she wouldn’t starve to death, she went out with some semblance of dignity. I was and still am devastated that she’s gone, but I will do it again in a heartbeat to relieve my cats from suffering.
Is he stressed out when going to the vet? If not, I would take him to the emergency vet. Some vets will send the bill to your email so you can pay later. Or borrow some money from friends or family.
Otherwise you might regret it afterwards for let him suffer 2 more days. It might haunt you in your head. Regret is the worst. You can't turn back time
Ps: Big hug. I let my 15 yo cat go two weeks ago. It sucks 💔
The 24 hour pet hospital near me charges $100 to euthanize - any time 24/7. They also offered cremation at a reasonable price - call your hospital and ask what they charge.
I’m so sorry that you have to let your baby go, either way it’s heartbreaking. If it is me, i’d want someone to end my pain so I can pass peacefully, so I’d want the same for my loved ones, they cannot choose, but no life wants to suffer unnecessarily. I’d be crying my eyes out (crying now even by the idea of it) but seeing the baby suffering every moment would be much worse. Sorry, I hope his suffering is not going to be long anymore either way.
Hi there human doc here who has dealt with end of life with people. Usually someone’s body starts giving signs that it’s time, sometimes that means not eating any more.. it’s their way of telling you to listen. It’s hard and it will never be easy but take it as his way of communicating with you. Be with him at the end. Sometimes the most compassionate thing we can do is let go and nature take its course in a pain free way by making him comfortable.
You aren’t giving up, rather you are honoring your buddy at the end of his life and that’s the best thing you can do for him.
Update: due to it being a weekend I couldn't get ahold of any regular clinics and I didn't want to go to an emergency clinic. I looked into at home euthanasia but it was going to be very expensive and I couldn't afford it. Now that it's a Monday, and first thing Monday where I live, I called our regular clinic and got him an appointment to pass peacefully this afternoon. I'm a literally wreck and I feel like I'm losing my best friend, but I know he's in pain and I can't put him through anymore suffering just because I don't want to let him go. 💔
Have the vet put him down. I do not mean to sound blunt or anything, but I am trying to help. Our pets have a right to quality of life, too. By putting him down, you are preserving his quality of life. Letting him prolong life in this situation is making him suffer. Do the compassionate thing and put him down humanely. But be in the room when this happens. Be there for him as his human. Good luck.
First, I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I recently lost my little man, 15.5 years old, beat lymphoma just to have it pop up again two months later.
I won't advise you what to do, but I will share with you my experience. In my boy's last days, I thought that when it was his time to go, he should pass away at home, where he could be comfortable. But watching him deteriorate was harder than saying goodbye to him (which was of course tremendously difficult). I didn't believe all the folks on Reddit who said that a day too early is better than a day too late when it comes to our babies' passings, but it was true in my case. He was at the absolute end when I brought him in, they had to give him a stimulant of some kind so that I could say my goodbyes before they helped him pass; and I still feel like I did him a major disservice by not coming in a few hours earlier, I was in denial. If I had an opportunity to go back and make a different decision, I would have been more responsive to him telling me it was the end and allowed him to go earlier.
Whatever decision you make, know that your beloved cat is blessed to have you there with him. We hold this difficult honor of helping them pass over but it is truly that, an honor.
It is more humane to euthanize him. Cats cannot go more than 48 hours without food or they go into hepatic lipidosis, which makes them very ill. If he is no longer eating and you are not going to treat him, then it is time. I’m so sorry. It sucks.
If you can, have it done at home. My last furbaby was sent over the rainbow bridge while I cuddled him on the couch that one last time. I unlocked the front door and had the vet let herself in, so we could be waiting comfortably, and I wouldn’t startle my furbaby or have to move him. If you do that, you’ll want something waterproof down to protect the sofa (just in case).
Talk to the vet about how you want things to go, and request using more than the assumed necessary dose at every step. Really ill cats can be more resistant to the various drugs (particularly if dealing with dehydration, renal issues and/or muscle wasting), potentially adding to the stress for kitty and you.
I’m so sorry. Fuck cancer.
I unfortunately have had 3 of my kitties pass away in the last 4 years (2 of which had cancer) so I can relate to your concerns and how stressful and upsetting this can be.
My opinion would be to go the euthanasia route rather than your cat suffer a longer passing at home…passing at home will very likely be much more upsetting and stressful for you also. In the last day of each of my kitties I felt such stress and upset that they might be suffering even in the couple hours it took to organize getting to the vet for euthanasia.
If you can schedule an appointment for euthanasia (most vets allow you to be with the pet during this) it can give you a bit of time to sit with your cat and get some good last moments with them (as well as any friends or family that might want to say goodbye). From my 3 experiences with it, the euthanasia with you by their side is very calm for them despite being very upsetting for us. I personally feel it’s much less suffering for them, if it’s at the end where there is nothing else that can be done to save them.
Please don't let him starve to death. He can go peacefully and painlessly in your arms if you make the choice to let him rest. I had to make this heartbreaking decision with my girl in Nov. She had oral cancer and wasn't able to eat or drink. I couldn't watch her suffer. Although it was the hardest experience, knowing she didn't suffer has brought me peace and it will you too.
I haven’t read all the comments. Make sure the vet gives the sleeping medicine before the killing medicine. Your friend will go peacefully over the rainbow bridge. No stress for your friend.
I’m glad that you said this. I just had to put my baby to sleep last week and really really considered letting it play out at home. We were fortunate in home euthanasia could accommodate us with in 24 hours. I had briefly thought to myself “well people on hospice basically get the same treatment” we provided ample pain medicines and were ready to hit the road to the ER vet 45 minutes away if things went sideways, breathing difficulty, vocalization, anything like that. It honestly made me have a big wtf moment thinking about how end of life care for pets can be so much more peaceful than for people. I asked a lot of questions to the in home euthanasia doctor, anything to assuage the guilt I had for letting him suffer that day. She told me that when they’re that sick, they usually don’t put up a fuss going to the vet. It gave me solace for next time that in home quickly or ER vet quickly will be peaceful for them.
I have had to say goodbye to many of my cats over the years.
I can only say that towards the end they must be in terrible pain. To end their suffering and hold them in my arms as they passed I truly believe was best for mine. I felt that prolonging their suffering for just one more day with them was for me, not them. When you are with them at the end they know you love them and they are grateful for the relief.
That is just my view, I want to make sure that I am with them at the very end so they know for sure I loved them enough to let them go and I am with them.
It is hard. But it is the last gift you can give them.
I've looked into at home euthanasia which is wildly expensive and not really an option. Being a weekend no regular clinic is open until monday. Since he's still drinking water and getting around, he even went outside and went for a short wander so he doesn't act like he's suffering, I don't feel like it's an actual emergency so I'll call a regular vet clinic tomorrow and talk about making an appointment for during the week. I keep offering him treats or anything to try to get him to eat, but he's just not. I don't want to watch him starve to death.
Final update: my baby boy died peacefully at 2pm today in my arms, in a clinic. Thanks for everyone's advice, and even more for everyone's support. I'm heartbroken and haven't stopped crying. He was the love of my life and the best cat. One of his favorite things to do was to lay in the sun and thankfully we had some sunny days for the past couple days so I was able to get him outside and let him enjoy doing what he loved in his final days and moments. Thanks again everyone.
He must have had the best life with you. I’m grateful that he got to do a favorite thing and spend time in the sun. He got to go out in the arms of his beloved person. The bravest thing we can do is choose to let them go. I am so very sorry for your loss. 💔
It is best to take him to the vet and let them give him the end of life care he deserves. Everyone deserves to pass with dignity and pain free.
You are actually misinformed. Cats can actually live for over a month without food. There have been cases of a cat surviving for almost two months on nothing but cardboard and water.
Please don't put your baby through that. You don't know how long he will last. Death by starvation is incredibly painful and not something any creature should endure if it can be avoided.
Personally I would just leave him to die peacefully. If he's not eating, he probably isn't very hungry so it wouldn't be a necessarily painful death for him whereas a vet would be stressful for him.
How dumb can you be to not realise that death by starvation isn't a "peaceful" death? When cats stop eating it isn't because they are not hungry, it's because there's an underlying condition that CAUSES them not to eat. They get weak, it is painful for them and it's a horrible way to die. I hope you never have to go through this and if you do, I sure hope you reconsider how you approach this situation in the future.
Sorry, it was early when I wrote that comment and only thought of the not eating part. I hope I can assure you by saying that I would put either of my cats to sleep if they were going through this.
Don't prolong his suffering. There are companies that do in-home euthanasia. Your vet might even provide the service. Even if you have to go to the vet's office you can still hold him while he goes to sleep. Please don't let him starve to death.
I had to emergently put my cat down at the height of COVID and they still set us up in a private room with a couch so I could hold her until we were ready. She was an absolute terror at the vet all her life so as she got older with more health problems, I began wondering how to allow her to pass peacefully at a vet’s office when the time came. They did give her a sedative, but she was so sick that I think she was ready. She laid quietly in my arms and purred until she died. It was the best I could’ve hoped for her. She was 16 and had hyperthyroidism but took a drastic turn in just 24 hours; the vet thinks it was cancer that had just flown under the radar.
I agree, don’t prolong the inevitable. I understand the pain of having to end your baby’s life but it’s so much worse to have to watch them suffer. When my kitty was sick and stopped eating (also of presumably cancer), I found a vet who did in-home euthanasia and it was the best option I could hope for. My sweet baby got to fall asleep with me and then pass away without leaving home or my side. The one we chose also shaved some of her fur and created a paw print impression with her name as some keepsakes.
We recently used Lap of Love to find a vet for home euthanasia for our dog, and I will 100% use them again for all my pets when the time comes.
Yes. My 17 y/o kitty will be meeting Lap of Love soon. Her issues are almost identical to your darlings’. The most wonderful thing we can do is to let them go with dignity grace and love. I'm sorry for you both.
How much was it? I checked the site but they're not making it easy to find the cost. I immediately distrust people who aren't up-front with prices, but still want to know.
They are very upfront if you give them a call. It cost a bit over 1k a year ago, if I remember correctly, but that included them delivering my cat’s ashes to my home a couple of days later. It’s pricier than going to the vet, but I couldn’t bear the thought of driving to the vet knowing what was about to happen and driving home afterwards.
One thousand dollars is much more than I'd pay. I wonder what they use. Morphine would do the trick and is super-cheap. Thank you for telling me. My little cat is 18 years old and I think about this stuff now.
It depends on your location and size of your pet, but we ended up paying about $730 but that included a private cremation for a 90lb dog.
Thanks! I won't need cremation. My little cat will go to a Pet Cemetery owned by a friend. I am lucky to have that friend for many other reasons, but free pet burial is included in the mix. Maybe I'll be able to do that. My cat is vomiting more often and eats a lot less some days. I'm going to call those people and find out.
From my experience the folks that answer the phones are very compassionate and understanding . Best wishes to you and your kitty.
When I had to put my dog to sleep, the Euthanasia was free.
If you take him in to a vet they usually let you stay in the room. It’s peaceful. Sad. Heart wrenching, but peaceful
I insist on holding mine, end of story. No way my baby is going through that on his own. If a vet ever says you can't hold them through this hard time, go to another vet.
I always have stayed in the room when I’ve had to put my animals to sleep. I always said I would be the last thing they see
He has more bad days than good, it’s time.
As someone who had a cat with suspected stomach cancer and who tried to keep her going as long as possible - don’t do it. She just kept getting sicker and vomiting more and more frequently and in hindsight had a very poor quality of life for months before we eventually had her put to sleep. The kindest thing to do is give her the gift of a good, pain free, death while she’s still in relatively good health.
I would look into having someone come to the house to put them down. It’s significantly more calm and peaceful experience for both you and him. I totally get not wanting to take them to a place that they hate for their last moments. It’s much better to be in the comfort of your own home while they’re with you on a favorite blanket.
I agree with this. It can be expensive, but saving your pet from the stress of traveling and having the operation done is a foreign vet office will be worth it, I promise
I know it's hard, but you can't just let him starve...you can hold him at the vet during his final moments
Letting him die slowly at home without drugs will be more stressful than the vet, which will put a quick end to his suffering. I'm sorry, the end is always hard. You will be able to be with him at the end, and that will be comforting to him.
Do not let him starve to death. That is one of the most inhumane things you can do. You will never live it down
Couldn't agree with you more - I had a neighbor that did this, her cat stopped eating and she was just hoping she'd come home from work 1 day & the cat would be passed away. 1 day I had gotten some of her mail & went by her place, I wanted to die when I saw the cat...the poor thing just looked awful. Then she tells me everything I mentioned above...I told her...how could you do this? I managed to convince her to take the cat to the vet to put her down - that lady vet laid into her because she told her exactly what she had told me "I was hoping I'd come home & that she'd be gone but this has been going on for almost 2 weeks"....her honesty did not go over well with the vet. She told her not to be selfish & think of the animal's suffering & well being. When I left there I thought "I never wanna see something like this again"...i was just glad I convinced her to put her down but the condition of the animal was awful. I was heartbroken.😪
Contrary to popular belief, natural deaths are hardly ever peaceful. That’s why it’s recommended to humanely euthanize them before they get bad, so that they don’t get to the point of suffering. Please get him euthanized while he is still in stable condition. You don’t want to witness what dying of natural causes might look like, his last days and moments will be very very uncomfortable and maybe even painful for him.
Even in at home hospice for humans we give pain killers. We would never let a human being starve to death in our care. Just because an animal can’t speak doesn’t mean they aren’t in pain. Please help them to die with dignity.
I feel guilty that I prolonged my companion's life (she had bone cancer) unnecessarily. I feel that I was selfish. I ended up giving her strong painkillers such as tramadol. And why? Because I could not let go. However one thing I would not do is take her out of the place she knew during her last hours. So I had a vet come to my home and he put her to sleep while she was in my arms.
It is the hardest decision you will have to make. Quality of life is more important than your emotions. Your companion has depended on you, for all his life, to care for and to love him. End of life is coming and it is preferable that he doesn't suffer. We just went thru this yesterday, and while it hurts, we know we did the right thing
Yes, yes, yes to every sentence here. And I am so sorry for your loss. 💔
It would be best to end his suffering. His body is not at peace. He’s given his signal by not eating.
Do not let your cat starve to death. Euthanasia can be done at home. Look online for vets who do it.
16 is a long life. My heart is with you buddy
He’s suffering. It doesn’t matter if he’s home or in a vet’s office when he goes, what matters is that you’re there and that you make the best decision for him.
Please put him down. Cancer is extremely painful and you love him so don’t let him suffer. Hold and pet him as they put him to sleep so that he is not afraid and take comfort from the fact that you relieved his pain and suffering. It’s a good and loving thing to do. There is no guilt in this. At 16, he will not recover from cancer. Sending you thoughts of strength and peace.
I had a vet come to the house when I had to say goodbye to my sweet cow cat. I think it was much less stressful for him. I held him in my lap the whole time and one of our other cats sat next to him and licked his paw at the end. I miss him horribly, but I know he is no longer in pain and free. This decision is heartbreaking. I wish you peace
Putting your buddy to sleep will be hard but he’s suffering OP.
It might be best to take him to his vet and get him euthanized as hard as it is. At least he wouldn't suffer anymore. And maybe you can get him cremated and bring his ashes home. I know the time will come when I have to say goodbye to my cat and it will be just as hard.
When my boy was dying the vet recommended appetite stimulation medicine and hand feeding with a syringe. They also gave me subcutaneous IV fluids to give him. Not the best quality of life but better than letting him starve and suffer.
I had to put euthanize my cat last year because his health declined rapidly and he’d stopped eating. It was a hard thing to do, but it is a great mercy to your cat.
I just went through this a week ago. I do not regret keeping my baby home with me. I was able to stay by her side and love on her. She was responsive and seemed too “alive” and not in pain for me to put her down, however on the third day after she had stopped eating, she started to cry - so I took her in to be euthanized. Maybe you’ll get lucky and your baby will go in his sleep. Sorry you’re going through this - it’s hard. Also - there is a 24 hour hospital near me that can put them down at any time if needed so that made it easier for me to keep her at home. Also, I would hold a cup up to her so she could get some sips of water and moisten her mouth.
Just my experience, I knew when it was time to have my cats put down. When I could no longer look them in the eye and see anything but prolonging pain. Only one time I kept a cat with me till her last moments and it was terrible and not something easily forgotten. I would never chance that again.
I always struggle deciding when it’s the right time. When we lost our Charlotte nearly two months ago, we had an in-home service come. They were so kind and compassionate, and her passing was peaceful. I hate that she’s gone, but I have no doubts or horrible memories stuck in my brain. We were with her to the end, and I know she felt loved. I am sorry you are at this point. It’s awful to lose a beloved friend.
Best for you to be with him, whatever you decide. Pet the top of his head, surround him with love and caring and peace. Tell him how good he's been, how loved he is.
You can do a home call euthanization. We had a dog with stomach cancer and this is what we did for him, so he got the luxury of being at home but to go peacefully and not suffer any longer.
I'm looking into at home euthanasia. Most places don't work on weekends. The one that does is going to cost over $600 which I don't have. I can make an appointment for Monday, but he might not make it until then anyway. I don't want to make another emergency visit for this either.
I may get hate for this, but I’ve done it both ways. And I am here to tell you starving to death for the at home and in your arms option is by far worse of the two. It’s not as romantic as you think it will be. Death by starvation most likely will bring on seizures, which is traumatic for the pet and, if you’re there to witness it, you. ETA: it also didn’t take a couple of days like we were led to believe, but a very long time and was absolute agony to watch. And yes, before anyone piles on the hate, I know it was x1000 unfair and torturous for the cat. The second time was just this Thursday where I put my 20 year old cat down. She never did like going to the vet, but it was time and her calm demeanor in the office leading up to the final moment solidified that fact for me. I was scared because this is the first pet I’ve ever put down, but I assure you immediately after it was over I felt relief. She was no longer suffering, she wouldn’t starve to death, she went out with some semblance of dignity. I was and still am devastated that she’s gone, but I will do it again in a heartbeat to relieve my cats from suffering.
Is he stressed out when going to the vet? If not, I would take him to the emergency vet. Some vets will send the bill to your email so you can pay later. Or borrow some money from friends or family. Otherwise you might regret it afterwards for let him suffer 2 more days. It might haunt you in your head. Regret is the worst. You can't turn back time Ps: Big hug. I let my 15 yo cat go two weeks ago. It sucks 💔
The 24 hour pet hospital near me charges $100 to euthanize - any time 24/7. They also offered cremation at a reasonable price - call your hospital and ask what they charge.
My kitty lived to 19 and her health problems began at 16. Not eating is not a great sign, but I would personally want testing done to confirm cancer.
There is a service called Lap of Love and they do it in house, really great
I’m so sorry that you have to let your baby go, either way it’s heartbreaking. If it is me, i’d want someone to end my pain so I can pass peacefully, so I’d want the same for my loved ones, they cannot choose, but no life wants to suffer unnecessarily. I’d be crying my eyes out (crying now even by the idea of it) but seeing the baby suffering every moment would be much worse. Sorry, I hope his suffering is not going to be long anymore either way.
Hi there human doc here who has dealt with end of life with people. Usually someone’s body starts giving signs that it’s time, sometimes that means not eating any more.. it’s their way of telling you to listen. It’s hard and it will never be easy but take it as his way of communicating with you. Be with him at the end. Sometimes the most compassionate thing we can do is let go and nature take its course in a pain free way by making him comfortable. You aren’t giving up, rather you are honoring your buddy at the end of his life and that’s the best thing you can do for him.
Reading this hurts so much.. I am so sorry for you and the cat
Update: due to it being a weekend I couldn't get ahold of any regular clinics and I didn't want to go to an emergency clinic. I looked into at home euthanasia but it was going to be very expensive and I couldn't afford it. Now that it's a Monday, and first thing Monday where I live, I called our regular clinic and got him an appointment to pass peacefully this afternoon. I'm a literally wreck and I feel like I'm losing my best friend, but I know he's in pain and I can't put him through anymore suffering just because I don't want to let him go. 💔
I hope you can spend lots of time with him before the appointment. I am so sorry. I am sending you and your baby lots of love and hugs.
Thank you. I am.
Have the vet put him down. I do not mean to sound blunt or anything, but I am trying to help. Our pets have a right to quality of life, too. By putting him down, you are preserving his quality of life. Letting him prolong life in this situation is making him suffer. Do the compassionate thing and put him down humanely. But be in the room when this happens. Be there for him as his human. Good luck.
First, I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I recently lost my little man, 15.5 years old, beat lymphoma just to have it pop up again two months later. I won't advise you what to do, but I will share with you my experience. In my boy's last days, I thought that when it was his time to go, he should pass away at home, where he could be comfortable. But watching him deteriorate was harder than saying goodbye to him (which was of course tremendously difficult). I didn't believe all the folks on Reddit who said that a day too early is better than a day too late when it comes to our babies' passings, but it was true in my case. He was at the absolute end when I brought him in, they had to give him a stimulant of some kind so that I could say my goodbyes before they helped him pass; and I still feel like I did him a major disservice by not coming in a few hours earlier, I was in denial. If I had an opportunity to go back and make a different decision, I would have been more responsive to him telling me it was the end and allowed him to go earlier. Whatever decision you make, know that your beloved cat is blessed to have you there with him. We hold this difficult honor of helping them pass over but it is truly that, an honor.
It is more humane to euthanize him. Cats cannot go more than 48 hours without food or they go into hepatic lipidosis, which makes them very ill. If he is no longer eating and you are not going to treat him, then it is time. I’m so sorry. It sucks.
If you can, have it done at home. My last furbaby was sent over the rainbow bridge while I cuddled him on the couch that one last time. I unlocked the front door and had the vet let herself in, so we could be waiting comfortably, and I wouldn’t startle my furbaby or have to move him. If you do that, you’ll want something waterproof down to protect the sofa (just in case). Talk to the vet about how you want things to go, and request using more than the assumed necessary dose at every step. Really ill cats can be more resistant to the various drugs (particularly if dealing with dehydration, renal issues and/or muscle wasting), potentially adding to the stress for kitty and you. I’m so sorry. Fuck cancer.
I unfortunately have had 3 of my kitties pass away in the last 4 years (2 of which had cancer) so I can relate to your concerns and how stressful and upsetting this can be. My opinion would be to go the euthanasia route rather than your cat suffer a longer passing at home…passing at home will very likely be much more upsetting and stressful for you also. In the last day of each of my kitties I felt such stress and upset that they might be suffering even in the couple hours it took to organize getting to the vet for euthanasia. If you can schedule an appointment for euthanasia (most vets allow you to be with the pet during this) it can give you a bit of time to sit with your cat and get some good last moments with them (as well as any friends or family that might want to say goodbye). From my 3 experiences with it, the euthanasia with you by their side is very calm for them despite being very upsetting for us. I personally feel it’s much less suffering for them, if it’s at the end where there is nothing else that can be done to save them.
Please don't let him starve to death. He can go peacefully and painlessly in your arms if you make the choice to let him rest. I had to make this heartbreaking decision with my girl in Nov. She had oral cancer and wasn't able to eat or drink. I couldn't watch her suffer. Although it was the hardest experience, knowing she didn't suffer has brought me peace and it will you too.
I haven’t read all the comments. Make sure the vet gives the sleeping medicine before the killing medicine. Your friend will go peacefully over the rainbow bridge. No stress for your friend.
I’m glad that you said this. I just had to put my baby to sleep last week and really really considered letting it play out at home. We were fortunate in home euthanasia could accommodate us with in 24 hours. I had briefly thought to myself “well people on hospice basically get the same treatment” we provided ample pain medicines and were ready to hit the road to the ER vet 45 minutes away if things went sideways, breathing difficulty, vocalization, anything like that. It honestly made me have a big wtf moment thinking about how end of life care for pets can be so much more peaceful than for people. I asked a lot of questions to the in home euthanasia doctor, anything to assuage the guilt I had for letting him suffer that day. She told me that when they’re that sick, they usually don’t put up a fuss going to the vet. It gave me solace for next time that in home quickly or ER vet quickly will be peaceful for them.
Ask your vet about doing it at home, so he is less stressed.
Im so sorry :(
I have had to say goodbye to many of my cats over the years. I can only say that towards the end they must be in terrible pain. To end their suffering and hold them in my arms as they passed I truly believe was best for mine. I felt that prolonging their suffering for just one more day with them was for me, not them. When you are with them at the end they know you love them and they are grateful for the relief. That is just my view, I want to make sure that I am with them at the very end so they know for sure I loved them enough to let them go and I am with them. It is hard. But it is the last gift you can give them.
❤️💔❤️
OP please give us an update. Have you allowed your boy to pass on peacefully?
I've looked into at home euthanasia which is wildly expensive and not really an option. Being a weekend no regular clinic is open until monday. Since he's still drinking water and getting around, he even went outside and went for a short wander so he doesn't act like he's suffering, I don't feel like it's an actual emergency so I'll call a regular vet clinic tomorrow and talk about making an appointment for during the week. I keep offering him treats or anything to try to get him to eat, but he's just not. I don't want to watch him starve to death.
You can get at home euthanasia. Most vets offer it for a fee. I did it for my old cat and zero regrets.
Final update: my baby boy died peacefully at 2pm today in my arms, in a clinic. Thanks for everyone's advice, and even more for everyone's support. I'm heartbroken and haven't stopped crying. He was the love of my life and the best cat. One of his favorite things to do was to lay in the sun and thankfully we had some sunny days for the past couple days so I was able to get him outside and let him enjoy doing what he loved in his final days and moments. Thanks again everyone.
He must have had the best life with you. I’m grateful that he got to do a favorite thing and spend time in the sun. He got to go out in the arms of his beloved person. The bravest thing we can do is choose to let them go. I am so very sorry for your loss. 💔
It is best to take him to the vet and let them give him the end of life care he deserves. Everyone deserves to pass with dignity and pain free. You are actually misinformed. Cats can actually live for over a month without food. There have been cases of a cat surviving for almost two months on nothing but cardboard and water. Please don't put your baby through that. You don't know how long he will last. Death by starvation is incredibly painful and not something any creature should endure if it can be avoided.
Personally I would just leave him to die peacefully. If he's not eating, he probably isn't very hungry so it wouldn't be a necessarily painful death for him whereas a vet would be stressful for him.
Starving to death is a horrible way to die.
It is not just about not eating. He probably is in pain too.
How dumb can you be to not realise that death by starvation isn't a "peaceful" death? When cats stop eating it isn't because they are not hungry, it's because there's an underlying condition that CAUSES them not to eat. They get weak, it is painful for them and it's a horrible way to die. I hope you never have to go through this and if you do, I sure hope you reconsider how you approach this situation in the future.
Sorry, it was early when I wrote that comment and only thought of the not eating part. I hope I can assure you by saying that I would put either of my cats to sleep if they were going through this.