"bewtifulfreak" wrote in message
...
"Dooies B.B" wrote in message
. ..

I realise this is just old age and everyone slows down, but I'm
wondering
whether I should consider taking her to be put down in a month or so
rather
than forcing her to go on living when basically she doesn't live the
most
active of lives, and its not that full of interest. I try and spend time
with her, but I just wonder if forcing her to live on to the bitter end
is
the kindest thing to do.

Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved.

I know cats are not humans, but I think you have to look at it like this:
if
you were her, living her life, would you be happy to keep on living? I
mean, if, as you said, she seems quite happy in general, what makes you
think it would be more merciful to have her put down? As you said,
everyone
slows down in later years, but unless a cat is clearly in unbearable pain
and clearly suffering, not just in a bit of discomfort (do you think most
of
us would want to be euthanized for arthritis?), I don't think there's any
reason not to let them live out their life. And if you're worried about
her
not having enough interest in her life, maybe you could try and find some
toys or other distractions appropriate to an older cat (not that I can
think
of any off the top of my head, but I'm sure others might have suggestions,
and there are so many resources on the web), though quality time with you
and the other cats may be enough for her at this age. Anyway, I think
unless she's suffering, you can comfortably let her go on living out her
life; I'm sure you'll get plenty more input to help you make your
difficult
decision.

All the Best,
Ann

P.S. When you said, "I know she has some discomfort from her lower back,
and
probably kidney problems," did you mean, probably her kidney problems are
giving her some discomfort? Or probably she has kidney problems? Because
if you weren't sure, I was going to say you might want to get her checked
out, but then I realized you might just not be sure of the level of
discomfort. In any case, you could always consult your vet as to how much
they think she is suffering in general, and what they think her quality of
life is; most competent vets will not put a cat down unless they truly
believe it's necessary, and I'm sure they'd be glad to give you their
professional opinion as to her state of well-being (if you can afford it,
that is). I'm sure a vet would also be happy to give you advice as to
ways
of keeping an older cat occupied and interested as well.


I took her to the vets about 8 months ago and due to her drinking lots more
and stuff it was suggested that she did have mild kidney problems, but it
was also suggested that at her age perhaps it would be better not to treat
her.

I just find it difficult to watch her slowly stop existing. I've had her
since I was 5, and I still remember her scaring me silly by playing in the
saucepans and stuff. And now she really rarely moves much.

The problem really for me is just not knowing how much she is suffering.
Shes never really complained, even when I knew she was suffering, and I
don't want to discover she is suffering terribly and only living because of
some basic need to stay alive, and not much else. I mean most people with
mild atheritis would probably not want to be put to sleep, but someone who
is suffering with really bad athertis, hurting everytime they move, might
sometimes wish they could die peacefully.

But thank you for your thoughts