When you sense his dignity has been lost, if he seems to be in pain, or he has lost any interest in continuing on, then it's time. He's been with you for 16 years, so you will know, but it will still be the hardest decision you will have to make.

"He's been with you for 16 years, so you will know,..."

I think hatetoshop is precisely right. And it is never easy.

Think of the "5 Ps" - Peeing, Pooping, Purring, Preening, and Playing. When the 5 Ps are reduced to 2 or 3, IN GENERAL, it's time. (Of course, depending upon which Ps are no longer occurring.) You need to take each into consideration and consider the importance of each.

Our vet told us when kitty is not enjoying life--grooming, sunning, scratching post, getting attention, eating--it's time. Of course, if you sense that he is suffering in pain and misery. Good luck, so sorry, 16 years is remarkable.

A family member caused us to wait too long, and it's not a happy memory.

Thank you for your comments. We all know how difficult it is.

I dont know if that's true Sylvia. My own dear vet told me that of her clients about half felt they acted too early, the other half felt it was too late. The reality is that second guessing and regret is often a facet of grief and the responsibility we bear for our loved ones.

People have their own set of fears, values, and discomforts they bring to this and its better imho to just try to read your beloved animal's cues and body language to whatever extent is possible.

And ask your vet - candidly - to tell you based on the diagnosis what would your kitty's death likely to be like if nature took its course? Not that that's what youll do necesssarily, but just to inform you as to timing if/when you were to decide to euthanize. Would there be great suffering/distress? What signs to look for to know if your cat is in pain?

With my old 22yr old with congestive heart failure & breathing issues (lungs filling with fluid) her death would have been slow tortuous suffocation over period of hours or perhaps days - no way would I put her or myself through that. On the other hand my 16 yr old who died of feline leukemeia gradually faded away, and after stopping prednisone she stopped eating and drinking but was purring to the end... and died relatively gently, wanting me with her. This was yrs ago when euth was commonly reserved for only desparate situations - and you know what, have no regrets over her death at all in fact cherish the memory. Would that all deaths be so gentle! But sadly it cant always be that way.

Best to you OP - its difficult all around.

What I usually do in those situations is ask the vet (if it's one you really trust) what they would do if it were their pet. I think whether the decision is early or late we always second guess ourselves or feel guilty, but I have to agree with Sylvia that I'd rather be a little early based on what I've experienced over the years.

I can't condone letting a pet die a 'natural death' because the majority of pet owners cannot recognize subtle signs that a pet is in pain and it's also not uncommon for a pet not to exhibit signs of pain even when they are hurting. Toxins can build up in the brain and body when the body starts to shut down and the signs from that type of pain aren't recognized easily. In addition, I don't want to make Current Resident feel guilty about anything, but a purring cat doesn't always mean it is content since they will also purr when they're in pain.

What you don't want to happen is to have to rush your pet to an ER
facility and deal with vets you don't know and end up feeling like you
were rushed into a decision.

It was an awful day because we knew that he was failing. So it is done.

2000-2016 Howie

RIP Howie. What a beautiful cat. I'm sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry...................

So sorry.. Current Resident, thank you. As I live so very very far from vets etc and ad almost all my critters are rescues, some terribly abused, I nurse them to the end and have rarely regretted doing so. The alternative would have been a long car and often a boat journey. And terrible stress for a sick animal .It is possible to control pain. We each make decisions and stand by them. I have occasionally wished there was med I could give at home at the end and I know others feel the same.

What a gorgeous cat Howie was. He looks just like my daughter's Merlin, who is almost 17. May the days ahead bring you peace.

I truly appreciate your kind words and thoughts. Every pet owner knows how difficult it is to lose our dear friends. Blubird, when they get to be that age we start to think of the time without them. Best wishes to Merlin.

So sorry for your loss. No matter how long they are with us, it never seems long enough.

What a beautiful boy! I'm so sorry, petra is right, no matter how long they are with us, it really is never long enough. Please take comfort knowing you gave him a wonderful life, so many sadly don't experience that.