When to let my old cat go..?

I really feel for you at this time. I’ve had to do this so many times over the years and it’s heartbreaking certainly doesn’t get any easier, but I think you realise the time has arrived now, you have added pain too with losing your dad very recently, my heart goes out to you, but it’s the kindest thing you can do now for her, blubberingmesscantdeal xx

Sending condolences! ??

I'm sorry, I hadn't seen your latest post. Thank you for being a good cat mother when it counted most. Your cat would thank you too x

Please, please, get the vet to your house today. You'd want your cat to go happy; she isn't now. This frm someone who has been in the same position many times...I'm sorry

Thanks for coming back and tell us Blubbering- you know you did the right thing- and we all know just how hard it is. Hugs.

Tomorrow will be the anniversary of my beloved cat's death, so I have been sympathising with you, all the way through.

Glad to hear your puss is now at peace.

Your vet is used to people crying in your situation; we all do.

Thankyou both.Ive clicked the "I'm on" pin and that brought up your replies.Now to try and change my username as I intended on just posting the original post and not stay on here.But I'm liking it and feel I need a more positive name now ?

Hi blubber,
I've never started a thread but I don't think you get an alert.
Perhaps a Gransnetter could confirm this.
Above your original post, click on the orange box 'watch this thread' and that will save replies.
To read them, click on 'forums' at the very top of the page, then click 'saved forums' you can then read your replies.
I hope i've got that right.

No I don't think you can get alerts when someone has replied.

What you can do, when you go to Forums, it says under, second one along, "I'm On". Click on that and you will see any replies to your recent posts.

I'm glad you have your 2 little dogs, to keep you happy.

Sharon103 Thankyou ?

It's devastating isn't it having to let go but in kindness we have to do what best for them. I know just how you feel. Our pets are part of our family aren't they.
Your dad and dear pet will never die, they will live on in your heart forever.
An old cliche but so true, time is a great healer.
Thinking of you and sending a great big hug. xxxx

Seacliff,Thankyou.Im glad,but also sad,That I'm not the only one who struggles with tears in the vets.My Vet and team are wonderful.I also didn't pay on the day and popped in a few days later to settle the bill.I also donated my kitties bowls and stacks of food to the local cat shelter.I felt good about that.We won't have another cat.Ive had to let 2 go recently due to cancers.I just have my 2 little dogs now who are quite young and healthy at the moment.
I'm sorry that some of you had to wait so long for a reply,I just haven't had any alerts,do we get alerts when someone's relied?
From the bottom of my heart thankyou ⚘

Oh how sad, but the best thing for her. I am glad it was easy and peaceful for her at the end.

I too have used the vets back door, several times! My husband also. When I ring to book, I usually ask if they will send the bill, and I'll ring and pay the next day, as I just need to get out of there after. They are very good and understanding.

Your pets are a part of your family and it is devastating to have to take that final action. You always hope they will go peacefully at home, but it rarely happens like that. ?

Hello everyone,
I had no idea that I had these lovely responses to my post.I didn't get any alerts!I've found the replies today and now I'm crying again at how kind you all are.
I did take my lovely Cat to the vets 14 days ago today.I ended up a complete crying mess in the consultation room.My little dog was getting her shot and I'd put my cat in a comfy bed in her carry box and left her in the car and said nothing until after my dogs appointment.Then I just started crying and said I'd brought my old cat and that it was time to let her go.That morning I'd witnessed her struggling to balance to go to the toilet,she hadn't wanted to eat and she smelt bad(they are all signs that the end is near) She was PTS and was so peaceful and didn't get distressed at all.I think she loved the attention.My vet is fantastic.Thats the 3rd furry friend in 2 years that I've had to do this to. The vets also have a back door to discreetly leave by if we feel the need.I did feel the need to use it.I still shed tears about losing her and miss her.I am a person that can cope with so much and always be strong for others but when it comes to ending a pets life I bawl my eyes out.My vet has seen me cry more than my husband of 24 years,I am not a public crier,even with my lovely Dad's recent departure.I only cry in private despite being one comment,memory,photo or one hug away from tears daily! I'm sorry for the losses you've all had.Its part of being a good pet owner and I'd still rather have them and go through this than not at all no matter how badly it hurts.
Thankyou everyone,today I don't feel so alone ???

SueH49, many people dither and leave it too late.

My friend delayed having her cat put down as it would upset her daughter. I was hopping mad about it and told her it was animal cruelty. The poor old cat went missing (took itself off somewhere to die) and the daughter was, of course, more upset by that.

Having been in this position many times albeit with dogs not cats I would much prefer to give them their wings a week too early than an hour too late. Mostly in this situation we put more consideration on our own need rather than that of our loved pet.

My gorgeous cat Rosie was 18 and a half and told me it was time for her to go. She wasn't in pain or suffering, just really old and getting frail, so we took the decision to allow her to die at home if possible. Bless her, she spent one last night on my lap and then passed away in the night in her bed looking content. Buried in our garden under a rose (Rosie) bush. I feel for you, it's so sad when pets die. They really are part of your family. We got another cat after a year being "catless" and you do eventually move on. Chin up eh.

It's now three days since your post Blubberingmess. I'd like to know the outcome. If the cat is still with you, are you familiar with the subtle signs of pain in cats, such as increased purring?

www.preventivevet.com/cats/how-can-i-tell-if-my-cat-is-in-pain

Please please let her go- you know the tie has come.

If you can afford it, ask the vet to come to your home. It is so hard- hugs.

So sorry to hear this. I know how painful it is. But I agree with other posters that if you make the decision now, you will be able to be with her as she goes gently.

Yes, Karma, Maggieanne
She could have found a charity vet: PDSA is the UK's leading vet charity, providing free and low-cost treatment to pets in need.
She didn't bother to find out. I'm a smoker but I would give up anything for my pets. What a heartless woman she is.

So sorry to hear of your turmoil, B. It's a difficult time for you especially after losing your Dad recently. Whatever and whenever you decide, your cat will know she is loved

A friend had a dog that developed cancer, she said she couldn't afford to pay to have it pts so that poor animal must have been in so much pain, but of course that friend could still afford her cigarettes! Was it karma when I heard that she had had cancer herself!
Sorry to hear of your poor cat but you know that if your cat is ill then it's her pain you must consider, not your feelings, I wish you well

Oh I do feel for you. My beloved cat was 17 when I had to make such a decision. She had steadily deteriorated but was still eating and enjoying sitting in the sunshine and having a fuss. I took her to the vet at one point thinking it was the right time to let her go as she had had a couple of 'funny turns', but after a conversation brought her home again and enjoyed a few more precious weeks. She had heart failure and I had to take her as an emergency in the middle of the night in the end as she was struggling to breathe and there was no other option. Coming home to an empty house with an empty cat carrier in my hand was awful, but as with all those we love we have to do what's best for them and none of us want to see them suffer. It will be very hard for you having lost your father too, and you will be heartbroken but you will do the right thing. Hugs to you.

Blubberingmesscantdeal - it's hard, it's horrible, and it's incredibly sad, but as pet owners we have to trust our instincts and know when the time has arrived to say goodbye to our beloved animals - it is the last act of love we can give them and the last thing any of us would want is to allow needless suffering. Thinking of you at this sad time.