(Untitled)

[cindyanne1]

Is it more humane to euthanize a pet that is simply... old?

I have a cat that is almost eighteen years old.  He's aging... and unsurprisingly, he's having issues related to aging.  He can't clean himself like he used to, so I keep his hair trimmed and sponge-bathe him.  He can't jump on my bed to sleep, so I bought him a nice, firm pet bed that he

Comments

[sister_anne]

It sounds like you're doing a great job at making life as easy and pleasant as possible in his old age. As long as he has you to care for his needs, and as long as he doesn't have any more serious illnesses, I don't think he's suffering anymore than a human would be at an advanced age.

I'm not an expert, though. You might want to ask the opinion of your vet.

[themachinestops]

If he's not in pain, has no major illnesses, and is still enjoying life, then I believe it is wrong to put him down. It doesn't sound like his issues are all that different from those of a 90-year-old human, which he is roughly equivalent to. Keep on loving him and watching his health, when it's time for him to go, you'll know it.

[stormslegacy]

I always see euthanasia as this: Choose the 3 things that your pet absolutely loves most (eating is generally one of them). When he/she can't do 2 of those things it's time to consider. If you're using a feeding tube and the animal can't do anything but lay in bed all day, yea, I agree. If it's just a little arthritis? Not an issue. You can even get a heated cat bed to help with that kind of thing.

Do we put old people down just because they're a little stiff?

[giveitfullheart]

What you said (choose the 3 things they love most) makes a lot of sense! :)

[lotus82]

My mother-in-law is a vet and she has a rule of thumb - if the animal is eating, they're generally ok. Once they stop eating, this is when you know something's wrong.

[stormslegacy]

It does work as a rule of thumb for many. I disagree with that for some animals though, but that's because as a rat owner I'm familiar with tumors, which will consume all the calories so the rat essentially starves no matter how much it eats--there comes a point where you have to judge based on energy level, tumor size and things like scabbing and pain.

[sixdemonhag]

I had a dog who lived to be 17 years old. Of course the question came up because he was having a hard time getting around, couldn't hear or see very well, and was occasionally incontinent. But he didn't seem to be actually suffering, just not doing as well as he had been. But there came a day when he didn't seem to be just getting old anymore, rather starting to die. And I knew it was time. I think when it is actually time, when you see they are no longer enjoying life, and they wouldn't mind passing on, you'll know.

[lotus82]

I wouldn't put my grandmother to sleep just because she's old, would I? The cat's needs are met and it sounds like he's still enjoying life - his food, his naps, his quality time with his owner. Given that and the fact that he doesn't have any major illnesses which cannot be treated, he is not in pain or discomfort - there's no reason to put him to sleep.
I had to put two cats down due to illness. When they give up, you KNOW. Honestly, you see it on their face. But an old animal still enjoys life, despite being old, just like an elderly human can still enjoy life, despite being old. My friend's dog had just passed away two months ago - the dog was 19 or 20 years old. She enjoyed her life almost to the very end and only in the last few weeks did the issue of euthanasia came up [and she just died in her sleep].