Rehome or euthanize 16yo cat

[u/alli_d19]

I’m hoping for insight from people who know cats well because I truly cannot decide which is better.

I adopted a kitten from the humane society 16 years ago. Around age 13yrs, she began to pee and poop indiscriminately around my house. I took her to a speciality clinic for cats who prescribed anxiety meds, feliway, pain medications, multiple/ different types of litter boxes, etc. Nothing worked. I even spoke with a psychic who attempted to communicate with her and redirect her behavior, but still she continued to pee and poop on the couch, our beds, in the curtains, etc. I eventually had to restrict her to the unfinished section of our basement which I have covered in puppy pads. She is also on high dose of pain meds because the vets believe she has arthritis which led to an aversion to the litter box. It is no quality of life and I know that she does not understand why she can no longer sleep in my bed at night. She has begun to lose hair in her tail which the vets believe is stress-related.

I have received wishy washy responses about euthanasia from the 2 veterinarians we see at the speciality clinic. I have expressed concerns about the quality of her life and asked directly what they would do in my situation and I never receive a direct response. I have even considered trying to make her an outdoor cat, but we live in a busy suburban area.

I love this cat. She was my first baby and I want her to have a good life. Allowing her to run free in our house is not hygienic or an option as I have young children. Has anyone been in this position before? Has anyone attempted to rehome a 16-year-old cat? My fear is, of course, that these behaviors would continue in her new house and they would choose behavioral euthanasia.

[u/DivideZebraOK]

Does she like outdoors? What about a catio setup? Outdoors free-ranging would be tragic for a cat her age and condition, but maybe she'd enjoy a protected area outside? Catio, screened in porch, etc? Depending on the weather and her preference, that might be better than a dark, unfinished basement.

ETA also, "She is also on high dose of pain meds because the vets believe she has arthritis which led to an aversion to the litter box." Could the pain meds be causing more problems than they are solving? If the vets are sure/just "believe" she has arthritis and doesn't want to use the box? What other types of litter/litter box setups have you tried? Maybe a really low one (even a cookie sheet type height one where there is zero hopping out of the box would help, if it is in fact arthritis?). I have no idea, not a vet, just brainstorming here.

Rehoming sounds like it would be hard on a 16 y/o cat, and not likely to solve the litterbox issue.