Agreed! We need to consider THEIR quality of life and not just ours. It’s always a difficult conversation to have but I’ve learned that whether we’re talking about our cats or ourselves, there is a balance between quality and quantity of life – and the cost of prolonging it (quantity) is a very real factor. We should do what we can even if it’s expensive (part of the responsibility of having pet companions) but consider what’s best for them first and foremost. If they can have some procedure which gives a good prognosis and likelihood of good quality of life, that’s an easy decision. When it comes to less certain prognoses and quality of life, it’s much more “gray”.

When their time is finally up (very ill, unlikely to have good quality of life, suffering, etc.) then euthanasia is a wonderful, humane option. I actually wish it was available for humans too. In many ways I think we are more compassionate and humane to our animals / pets than to our own kin.

I’m getting some unbelievable results for my DSH kitty, a neighborhood stray who died in December at the age of either 19 or 20. Because he was already a habitual sprayer when he “adopted” me, he had to remain an outdoor-only cat until his kidney disease got really bad the last 6 months of his life. At that point I started bringing him inside just for meals, to be sure he got enough to eat. He did stay mostly inside the last month of his life, and finally had to be euthanized because of what appeared on an x-ray to be a fast growing tumor. The calculator says his human equivalent age would be something between 126 and 168!

I’m so sorry you had to sell your cat. That is heartbreaking, and I hope that someday you are able to adopt another cat and give it a home. Until then, keep helping with your heart. <3

he is so cute .I’ve never miss him ,cause we have limitation Iran .

I couldn’t keeping my cat in my flat and  price of  save cat its too expensive for me.

. Because of this I sold my cat I’m very sad and depressed. Now whenever see a cat needs help i help it with my heart.

i agree

and my TJ is actually 24 years old a large maincoon breed of positive attitude cat
many pet owners have there’s put down at the age of 13 plus if there is a minor illness
we wouldn’t, to a human! it is all too commercial and money making, pet is not a toy!

TJ is well over 100 in human terms
COMPASSION TO ALL LIVING THINGS…LORD BUDDHA

she has always slept either on me, or preferably, on my bed, between my arm and my side. i am having major surgery soon, where for 3 – 4 weeks i can have absolutely NO pressure on either my core body or both of my arms.

So. the best idea i’ve been able to come up with is to place her in her travel cage (which opens up to a large compartment) on the bed right next to me for those 3-4 weeks. she will NOT want to do this and will likely be very vocal about it for probably at least a week.

can you give me any suggestions as to how to make this as easy as possible for her? i’d really appreciate anything you can suggest – i’m really stressing over stressing her! thanks –

While I agree that outdoor cats have more stimulating lives, in general, studies show that on average, they do not live as long as indoor-only cats. This is because they encounter more risks, such as predators, cars and other accidents. Does that make more sense to you?

That is a very impressive age Karen! What a lovely cat she sounds like, and such good company for you. Please say hello for us!