re: How do you know when times up for you cat?

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we’d have to change out his litter daily because he goes so often

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Sign of kidney problems. Mine had the same issue, in fact she started missing the box and went all over the floor. Vet said she could no longer concentrate her urine.

As others said, eventually they stop eating. I gave mine tuna fish and wet cat food toward the end. She ate it happily at first and perked up for a little while. But it only helped for a few weeks before she stopped eating that too.

I made the call when I realized she was suffering. Found her laying next to a pile of vomit because she didn’t have the strength to walk away after she did it. When just living is that difficult, the humane thing is the right thing. But not the easiest.

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Things to look for are when they start to go to the bathroom in strange places that they never did before or stop grooming.

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Yep. All the cats I've had, they will start using the bathroom anywhere but the litter box. Usually that is because they have some sort of UTI or infection and it hurts to go, so they think if they go somewhere else it might not hurt.

Other signs-

-they start drinking an insane amount of water. I had cats that would constantly meow at the sink/faucet until we turned a low drip on so they could drink. it's because they are developing ulcers in their intestines and looking for ways to soothe the pain

-stop grooming - I had an older cat that his entire fur line above his back/spine area just got clumpy and dirty and started to fall off. He started getting too old and couldnt flex enough to reach his back to clean it.

-Walking funny or running into things - renal failure messes with their vision and balance.

When you put a gun to his head to finish him off, and with one dying shaky paw, he reaches up to pull the trigger himself.
Or, the real answer...
When he finally stops acting like bi-polar, neurotic a-hole.

I’m a dog, cat.

(no message)

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Geez, 17yrs old, probably lived 3-5yrs more then it should have.

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I have one pushing 23 and another that's 16 and very healthy.

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How do you know when times up for you cat?

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A gentleman would never ask and a lady would never answer.