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How Do I Know When It Is
'Time To Let Go'?
The previous sections have described how to
keep your cat happy and healthy as he ages.
Unfortunately, there may come a time when the
kindest and most caring thing you can do for him
is provide a gentle exit from the increasing
ravages of age. Ultimately it is not fair to
prolong his life any longer. Degenerative changes
are too far gone, a terminal illness has reached
its distressing final stages or his behavior and
habits are now unmanageable.
Ideally you would like him to die peacefully in
his sleep, and he may well do this. You may be
familiar with the idea that injured, sick or very
old cats 'go off to die', but unaware that they
die from dehydration, starvation or self-neglect
because they are unable or unwilling to drink, eat
or even seek attention. If he goes missing and
never returns, you will never know whether his end
was painless or protracted. Disappearance or
sudden death causes much anguish because you had
no time to prepare and no time to say goodbye in
the way that you wanted. As your cat grows older,
you have an opportunity to come to terms with the
inevitable, but when the end comes it will always
be "too soon".
With recent advancements in cat care and
medical knowledge, your cat can enjoy reasonable
health into old age. Many old cats die peacefully,
but some reach a point when life is no longer
enjoyable and the owner must decide if euthanasia
is kinder in order to prevent further suffering.
Euthanasia is an act of love towards a cat no
longer able to enjoy life. "Euthanasia"
literally means 'gentle death'. Other terms you
may hear are 'put to sleep', 'put down', 'put out
of its misery' or, less kindly, 'destroy'.
Veterinary staff may use the term 'humane
destruction' which is another technical term for
euthanasia. It is a caring act, not a callous act
therefore it is not "murder".
The decision to end a life is never easy. It
causes much soul-searching and it takes courage to
assume this last responsibility to a much loved
pet. In most countries there is also no easy human
comparison although many would like to see the
same compassionate act made available for
suffering humans. The cat/owner bond is very
special so it is easy to become emotionally caught
up in keeping your cat alive when your own common
sense tells you the end is approaching. A good vet
helps you to decide when it is time to let go, but
only you can make the decision.
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