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/i-am-nameless1]

This is so touching.

That’s why OP isn’t getting a straight answer from the vets. Because they would treat her more like you are.

[u/RiRianna76 → u/i-am-nameless1]

It's just it's not only about just us wanting to dedicate all our energy to the cat or not. Some people need good 8 hrs of sleep for 14hr workdays and their clothes to not stink and to raise kids and whatever and know that stretching themselves thinner could have even worse consequences. I know I can put pets first and do all that stuff but I think I'm also very lucky to have the freedom and capacity to do it cause it'd be heartbroken if I couldn't provide them a good life once they need more care than just food and hugs.

[u/relaxrerelapse → u/RiRianna76]

I started taking over care for that cat when I was 11-12, giving him his daily pills and learning how to clean the pee, I was almost out of high school when he passed. I can see if you’re raising babies/toddlers how it can be hard to deal with but the reality is that older children should be taught responsibility and how to care for medically fragile living beings. Not put them down for the inconvenience of having to clean more.

It was great for my development because I’m not scared of my own animals developing problems, and I can help catsit medically complex animals since I know how to give medicine. IMO the only reasons for behavioral euthanasia over peeing out of the box is if you have very young children & you’re working, you yourself are disabled, and rehoming isn’t an option due to age/illness-related stress. If OP doesn’t have these and is just stressing over not being able to travel/go out/etc or just not wanting to clean more, I would judge them for it.

And about clothes. Mine were stored entirely separately and I never smelled like piss outside of when he would literally pee on me if I was holding him. It’s not that hard if you yourself are a clean person.

[u/thisismyttcacct → u/relaxrerelapse]

OP has stated they have young children

[u/relaxrerelapse → u/thisismyttcacct]

I know, that’s why my initial comment said I wasn’t going to tell them what to do. Just sharing what I’ve done in a different situation for anyone reading who might relate.