How can you tell when your cat is getting old? On the outside, he may look much the same, and he probably still loves to bat his toy mouse around the kitchen floor and take naps sprawled across your hand-knitted heirloom afghan. But inside his body, time may be taking its toll. Become aware of what changes to expect in his health, behavior, eating habits, and energy level as he passes from adulthood to geriatric status. Meet his needs so that you and your family can deal with the end of his life.
As a cat increases in age, his joints may stiffen and become painful to move, making him lethargic about many types of activities, even his grooming ritual. But before you decide to do a thorough brushing for him, ask your veterinarian to make sure your cat is not seriously ill --- a lack of desire to groom can also be a sign of sickness.
Because an older cat rests more and moves less, he may need fewer calories. Your veterinarian can suggest ways to reduce his caloric intake and still make sure he gets all the nutrients his aging system needs. And however tempting it may be to treat him to table scraps, it's really not wise. Overfeeding a cat at any age --- especially with fatty foods --- is actually setting him up for obesity and related health problems in the future.
Above all, you'll need to start watching your geriatric cat very closely for hints of illness. "Cats tend to be more subtle than dogs when it comes to showing they're sick" says Dr. Barbara Stein, owner of the Chicago Cat Clinic, "because instinct tells them that --- as in the wild --- to show some type of problem is to become prey." After weeks of seeming healthy, a cat suddenly may display signs of being very ill, catching his owner off guard. Too often, pet owners hope a small problem will go away, only to seek their veterinarian's advice when their cat is beyond help. Below is a chart that will help you track your aging cat's health and promptly react to warning signals.
It may be time to end your pet's life if his condition is irreversible and in spite of medical care, his quality of life is inadequate. But even knowing that these situations hold true for your cat doesn't mean it's easy to consider euthanasia. Many experts advise that the whole family should decide as a group whether to have their cat euthanized. Parents with younger children may choose to make the decision and then give the children a chance to say goodbye to their pet.
Be careful about using the phrase "put to sleep" when explaining the decision to children, who then may be afraid to sleep themselves or may expect the cat to wake up in the future. Tell them that the cat isn't going to get better and that ending his life is a loving way to end his pain. Answer your children's questions as honestly as possible, and let them cry and grieve. Some veterinarians let the pet owners be present when the cat is euthanized, but check with your veterinarian ahead of time if you would like to be there.
Thankfully, emotional support during this time is available. Take advantage of your local animal rescue group or your veterinarian. There are numerous books available to help you and your children cope with the loss. There are groups available through the Internet who are there to help you. Whichever way you choose, take advantage of it to help you and your family get through your grief.