How do I play God and let go after 17 yrs with my loving Cat? Even tho I owe it to him to not let him suffer?

Would you want to suffer?

Think "quality" of life instead of "quanity". He is obviously not healthy, not doing well, etc . . . Remember the 17 good years you've had with him and do what is in his best interest, making him as comfortable as possible on the way.

This is a very hard decision to make, and I know the other answers are not the ones you want to hear. Makes me scared about my own cat too... =( I have to agree with everyone else, let go. I'm really really sorry about this... =(

do you really think your kitty is happy hiding in a closet?

you have done all you could, it is time to let her go.

i am so sorry for your loss, but look at the 17 years you gave your kitty.

That was the hardest thing we have ever had to do, but if you look into his eyes, he will let you know that it is time.

I agree with your vet. Let go of him. I know it'll be hard, but it's for the best. You'd lose him soon anyways, and he'd have to suffer longer. :(

It is very difficult to make that decision and very tough when made but you will come to know it was for the best sooner than may think.

I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but give that cat a break and put it down. It sucks to see an animal suffer that much

I AGREE WITH YOUR VET. BE KIND YOU OWE IT TO YOUR CAT.

I could only wish that when it my time and I'm in pain that someone could end my suffering.

I'm so very sorry but i believe its time...=(

I know its gonna be hard but i think ur vet is right...ur cat will have a better life in "animal" Heaven

u have to let him go... he is suffering and in pain and probably crying out to god to let him die... plz... put him at rest

do it, listen to your vet..it is for the poor kitty, his suffering will be over

If you love him, (which you do) let him go.

It will be hard and hurt...but I think you already know what you need to do. He is suffering and his quality of life had diminished. You will know that you have done the right thing.

When you are ready, read the poem "rainbow bridge", it will make you cry, but also let you know that he is happy and pain free once he is gone.

** hugs ***

i know how you feel. i have been through the same situation. i know it is such a hard decision but you have to consider what is best for your cat. if you dont do anything, he may live longer but he will be in constant suffering. if you go through with the euthanization, i will probably feel like you are such a horrible person but you have to keep in mind that what you did was for the best and your cat is no longer suffering.
my best wishes for you and your cat

well you should look at it like this, you love your cat very much, and he's like a family member, i don't think you would want a family member to suffer like he is right now. There's a difference between hanging on to a loved one because you can't let go, and killing them. We were not put here on Earth to live a life where every breath and/or movement is painful. It is very hard to let a loved one go, whether they're human or animal. I think you should have him put to rest so that his suffering ends, he would thank you greatly for it. Also think of this, would you want to continue to exist in the condition he's in. I am writing this bc i know how it is to lose animals and people very very close to me. It hurts so bad, but in the end all you can do is the right humanely thing possible, let them go. Whether its "pulling the plug" or "putting them down" its heartbreaking and depressing, but you can hold the difference between life with suffering, or a peaceful ending. Goodbye isn't forever. I hope some of what i've written has helped a little, and if any of it seems harsh, I am sorry, i didn't mean for it to come across as being mean or ridiculing or anything like that. Chin up, and Take care.

You are doing the right thing. You have not given up, given him daily care and given him love. I think you have done everthing a good cat parent can do. We are lucky we have this option available. You have a wise and caring vet.

I will pray for your kitty and for you. You will never forget him and will remember all the good times when you think of him in the future.

People have already posted about how it is better or not to let the cat go on living, so I'll take a different route to help.

You say 'playing God'. And I understand what you mean. Not sure how religious you are -- I hope I don't offend -- but think of it this way: whatever your decision, God knows you. God understands what you're going through and where you're coming from. As long as you take time to consider your options and you understand that this is not something to be taken lightly, God will know and understand that you are only trying to do what is best. Your heart is in the right place.

This is what I always try to remember whenever I have a hard choice to make. None of us has the same life or background, so we can't be judged the same. But God knows what is in our hearts, and He will understand, whatever choice you make.

Dear Animal Lover,

It's never easy to make the decision. I had to put my dog down, who was only 3 last Saturday. I'm still crying about it everyday, but I know I did the right thing in my heart. He had severe allergies, had chewed himself bald, had an infection in his skin. Sure, there was treatments that would have helped, but it was a chronic condition and I didn't think it was fair to let him suffer over and over. His problems started right after I got him in 2005 from the Westland Humane Society. Meds worked, he'd get better, then it would start all over. He was miserable, never wanted to play, slept all the time. I did the same thing for the last 3 years, telling myself he was happy, but since February I could see he wasn't. I wish you the best...and just think, in time when you're ready, even though you'll never be able to replace your kitty, there are plenty of other animals out there who need homes and the kind of love you've given all these years. If you need to talk or chat, please feel free to contact me. Maureen

you don't need to ask this question.
look passed your feelings and see it from your cats point of view- he has looked to you for everything all through his life and you have been there for him. please do him this one last service and let him drift into peaceful sleep with the help of your vet - release him from all his pain-i know if are honest with yourself you will do what only a best friend would do and be there to free him from anymore suffering please do the right thing.

Oh, I am so sorry that you and your kitty are going through this. Lay down next to your cat and look him in the eyes, pet him gently, and ask him if he's ready to go. He will find a way to tell you that its time to let him go.

I don't think there is anything I can say about helping you not feel guilty, I'd have to say everyone in your position feels some guilt, just try and remember that he is in pain and he's suffering and he is no longer able to enjoy life. If you let him go now, he will be free and out of pain and he will meet you at the bridge when your time comes as well.

I don't know how I'd feel if I had to let one of my cats go, but I wouldn't want them to live in pain, so I'd try and do what I thought was best and thats all that you can do. Despite what some people here are saying, NO ONE knows exactly how you feel, and it drives me crazy when people say that.

Remember when you let him go, you're not telling him good bye, you're telling him that you'll see him again one day in whatever afterlife you believe in.

Be strong hun, you are making the hardest decision anyone has to make, but you are making the decision that is best for your cat.

Blessings

Wow that's a very sad situation, but the vet is right it is time to let him go peacefully. He can't be happy with his kidneys failing and his weight loss. I know it's hard, but it is what is best for him, so you just have to toughen up and do it. You'll always have your memories of him..sorry to hear of this situation :(

i had to put my dog down with cancer too.

that dog was with my mom when i was born!

he was litterally my whole world.

but, he was suffering.

i cried and cried.

but would you rather him live a life of suffer and die of sickness then put him down now and let him go before it gets any worse?

i know how hard it is to put you're whole life down, but he is 17 years old...



im sorry(:

Don't worry. You are not playing "God". By euthanizing him, you would be ending his seemingly endless misery. You would be doing him a favor by letting him go in an honorable way rather than slow and painful. Yes, you will miss him, but your wounds will heal much faster that way. He will be in a much better place then with no pain or misery.

I had a dalmatian for eleven years who needed constant medication and finally got to the point where he couldn't even walk on his own. We had to put a stop to his misery and it was hard, but we got over it and now we only remember well of him.

If he's hiding, he's ready to die. I agree with the vet, you have to do what's best for him, not what makes you happy. I know it's hard to let go, but there's no sense in torturing the poor animal. I had a cat who lived to be 19, and I was very, very sad when her time came, but as a pet owner, you need to understand that death is inevitable.

I had to do that with my cat, very sad... But it's in your friend's best interest, he is now suffering and there is nothing medicine can do for him.

It's not about playing god, it's about not making him suffer. Find a nice place for him... my kitty found his freedom under my grapefruit tree and we would still spend time together.

i know its hard...but u may have to put him to sleep. :[[[

it really sad but your cat no longer enjoys it's life and to not be selfish u have to pick the right decesions for your pets.

im srry but for the best of your cat u need to put him to sleep so he can enjoy his life in heaven

It's so hard for someone who has had a pet for so long and has to make a choice to let them live or let them go...I had a dog who had no control over his blatter and had many seizures a day...sometimes when I looked in his face, he just had this face that he did not want to go on. The vet said if he eats and drinks they are happy but I beg to differ...it's going to be hard but I would say let him go. You're only hurting him more and yourself, but always keep in mind that he loved his life and his owner!

My heart hurts for you. I understand just what you are going through. I had my kitty Missy for 17 1/2 years and she basically was doing the same exact thing your kitty is doing. Please do not let your kitty suffer any longer, it hurts, but he is suffering. He is trying to tell you this by hiding, not eating. It is time. I miss my Missy girl so much, but 8 months after we lost her we found Tink and she is her twin, she does not take her place but believe me it does help a lot. Tink is a blessing to have. So think about getting another. Talk to your kitty, tell him what you need to tell him, and make him happy. I am so sorry.

I am so sorry for your kitty and you. Please do not let your kit suffer. Having him euthanized to save him a long and agonizing death is not playing god, it is in fact the most loving and most unselfish thing that you can do for him.

It is normal to feel guilty and to second guess, especially when you think your pet can live longer, however if you really look at the situation and know that things will never improve, then that will help you overcome those feelings. I had those feelings many times before with my pets and it breaks your heart but when I had to have my last cocker spaniel girl euthanized, I actually felt relief instead of those other feelings. she had been in and out of consciousness for a couple of days before her appointment.

I think you need to look at it realistically, make up your mind, and then begin your process of letting go. know that death is inevitable and that you are giving him a final loving gift by letting him have a peacful painless death. Make his last few days the most special and comforting ever and try to be there when he is euthanized (if you are able) so that your voice and loving touch are the last things that he experiences. It will comfort him greatly and it will comfort you as well.

He will be given a shot to make him very sleepy and then he will be given an overdose of anesthesia that will stop his bodily functions. sometimes they just give the one shot though. it is very peacful and he will just drift off. Please do not be alarmed if his eyes stay open, most cat's eyes will stay open when they die. he is not suffering, it is just a physical characteristic.

I am so very sorry but I am also proud of you for loving your kitty so much that you are going to go through this to stop his suffering and pain.

((Hugs)) my sympathy and best wishes to your kitty and you.