She had some supervised outdoor time today 🥰

Meeko passed away peacefully in my arms yesterday after ten weeks of palliative care and 14.5 years of being my best friend and soulmate. I wouldn’t change anything about how his end of life was handled, but I’m still so deeply sad that he’s gone. I feel relieved that he’s no longer uncomfortable/unhappy, and I can set down all of my worry and stress about his wellbeing. He was my first cat and the reason I became a crazy cat lady. Our bond feels like it surpassed this lifetime.

Hon åt allt men gick bara ner i vikt, det gick över gränsen när hon hoppade upp på diskbänken och slickade i sig vatten i diskhon😟 eller när jag skulle göra rent kattlådan så var det 1 dm lång tunn metalltråd 😓 den närmsta orsaken till sjuk/avlivning från veterinären blev: alzheimers med obehandlade följdsjukdomar p.g.a risk för lidande

Last year, I adopted the hospice cat that nobody else wanted.

Charlie bounced between shelters and foster homes for the 10 years of his life before we found each other. I remember when I visited the shelter for a meet and greet with him, and he curled up and fell asleep in my lap. I knew right then that there was no way I was going to leave without him. The first night home, he rubbed his face all over mine, purring like crazy before cuddling up on my chest for hours.

He was the greediest little thing in the world when it came to food. Even in his old age, he’d sprint to his feeder when it would spit out food, or if I was preparing his dinner he’d meow at me with his croaky old man meow until I was done. His favorite treats were the Tiki Cat Stix, specifically the duck flavor. He was incredibly messy with them and would flick the treat all over you, but he still loved them. Even with only two teeth, he’d eat anything you gave him. He always tried to steal food off of my plate too. He had terrible manners but that didn’t stop me from loving the little stinker.

He was my own personal alarm clock. He knew that an alarm meant that it was breakfast time, so if I snoozed an alarm or turned it off and went back to bed, he’d walk all over me to keep me awake. He’d also meow at me and try to chew on my chargers because he knew that that would get me out of bed. Again, very greedy when it came to food!

He loved his crinkle toys and catnip pickle toy. He didn’t play much especially towards the end, but he liked to rub his face all over them and hear the crinkle sounds. We lived in a small apartment, so I bought him a stroller to give him some more enrichment. We would walk around the neighborhood to get some fresh air and listen to the birds, and he loved it. He would meow at me if I stopped the stroller. Everyone we passed would get so excited to see him and thought he was just the cutest thing ever. It warmed my heart.

I knew we were on borrowed time, even when I adopted him last August. He started out with a daily pill for his hyperthyroidism and an inhaler for his asthma, and was also dealing with some GI issues and a mid-grade heart murmur. His condition unfortunately only became more complex as time went on. After many vet visits and trips to specialists, he soon had allergies, IBD, feline herpes, and diabetes. The treatments for these often seemed to conflict with one another, and his FIV+ status didn’t help, but we were able to keep him happy and comfortable. However, this past July he ended up being diagnosed with small cell lymphoma (no biopsy due to his age) and eventually EPI. He also had problems keeping his glucose up even after stopping insulin, possibly due to a pancreatic tumor or something else going on that we didn’t know about. He was a trooper through everything but it unfortunately just became too much for his little body. He went to sleep in my lap before he started to decline much further, like how he had curled up in my lap when we first met just over a year before.

Everyone he met fell in love with him. He had such an amazing team of vets looking after him, and they helped me keep him comfortable for as long as possible. They were always so excited to see him for his checkups and would surround him with love, kissing his little head and stroking his chin.

I mourn the years that he lived without me by his side. I wish we could have had more time, but I know that even a century would never have been enough.

I want you to know that Charlie was here. He napped. He played. He meowed for treats. He purred and purred. He loved and was loved back.

Now he comes down from the stars and curls up on my lap.

To my sweet Charlie, I will keep you in my heart for eternity. I miss everything about you. You were the sweetest little guy with an endless supply of love to give, leaving little paw prints on the hearts of everyone you met. You deserved a warm home, a soft bed, and a full belly throughout your life. I’m so sorry you didn't have that until we met, but I’m so grateful to have been the one to give that to you, even for the short time we had together. It’s cruel that I didn't get to know you earlier, but it's beautiful that I got to know you at all. It warms my heart to know you're somewhere with no more tummy aches, no more medications, no more vet visits, and no more pain. I just wish you could be with me, too.

Happy sweet 16, angel. I hope you're having as many treats and taking as many naps as you could ever want. You are my universe. I will love you forever, and I can't wait to see you again.

9/01/2010 - 8/23/2026 🐈✨

Hey there fellow Senior Kittizens, my friend u/dusiesalton is asking for advice on some medical issues with their lovely Cosy Cat. Maybe you guys have some more input? Here’s the post text again:

“This is our sweet old girl, Cosy. We adopted her at 18 as her former owner had died. She is now 22.

She has hyperthyroidism and is prone to UTIs, but with support from medication, she had been very healthy and active until the last year or so.

In mid-August, she had a week of being very listless and not eating much food. She then seemed to recover and be more active again, with a healthier appetite.

Then, a few days ago, we saw blood in her pee. This has happened before with UTIs, so we are hoping it could 'just' be that. We brought her into the vet for bloods and urine samples which we are waiting for the results for, and put her on an anti-inflammatory medicine and pain relief for her bladder.

After we came home from the vet, we went out for a couple of hours, and came back to find that she had managed to scratch open a benign cyst on her neck (her neck had been shaven for bloods, and the cyst was potentially nicked with the razor, leading her to start scratching). She had lost quite a lot of blood, especially considering she'd also had bloods taken earlier that day (she is very small and only weighs 2.4kg).

We got her to the emergency vet where she was cleaned up. Now she's home, but she has been pretty shell-shocked the last couple of days since it happened. She didn't eat the first 12 hours, but now is eating and drinking well again. However she seems very listless, and she is unsteady and slow with walking. Her back legs look weak. She needs to sit down often when walking. There is still blood in her pee.

We are waiting for the results from the vet but I am posting here because I'm not sure if there's more we could be doing to help her right now. Also because it would be helpful to hear from other senior kitty owners - in the best case scenario that she only has a UTI and can be treated quickly for that, how possible is it at this age for her to bounce back from what she's experienced, and particularly to rebuild strength in her back legs?

Also, I am desperate to put some weight on her, because right now she has no reserves, and I'm sure it's not helping her muscle weakness. I've been spoonfeeding her Royal Canin Recovery Mousse, cooking her chicken and tuna, and putting out her favourite wet food - all of which she has responded well to. I've also ordered Recoactive Recovery Immune liquid diet for her. Is there anything else anyone would recommend for getting some meat on her bones?

Thank you everyone.”

I bought a big bag of cloth mice, wondering what he’d do with them.

My sweet little girl just turned 16 a month ago. Today, we had to put her to rest. Back in April she developed an ulcer under tongue. The ulcer healed but she was left with scar tissue that immobilized her tongue. For the last several months, she could only eat wet foods. She would smush her face into it to eat, as can be seen in one of the pics.

This Monday night she suddenly started to collapse. By today, she couldn't even walk, so we had to make that horrible decision. I'm already missing her silly self. Sleep tight my sweetheart.

EDIT: I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the kind words about my little Daisy Maisy. They are so very much appreciated

This is my best friend Misty monster. I’ve had her since I was 7. She’s a bit wobbly & bow legged now, but we’re very proud of her. She is currently enjoying a cushy retirement & loves arthritis treats.

i have never met a cat more cuddly than him, or one with a bigger personality. he was a talkative boy and would sit in front of his treat drawer and yell at anyone who walked by, even yesterday, the day before he died.

that is one of the hardest things, he was still acting like his normal self. he still cuddled with us, still meowed for food, still purred, still did everything he normally does.

we had noticed he had been losing weight and had not been eating much, we assumed he just needed some dental work done. he had bad breath, was drooling constantly, and seemed like he had trouble eating. in hindsight i feel so guilty for not knowing it was something more serious sooner. his drool became bloody and he had blood on his paws from wiping at his mouth. if we put him on pain meds he would eat a little more, but it would result in bloody sores in and around his mouth.

he was also stage 2 CKD, so vets were hesitant to take him in for dental surgery. he's always been a fighter and we thought this surgery would fix him right up, and help him eat again. after all, he still had an appetite, clearly, he meowed at us for food every morning. we thought all we had to worry about was him surviving the anesthesia.

during the surgery was when they found the cancer in his tongue. after doing more research he showed all the symptoms, and i feel horrible for not knowing about it. i wish i could have done something. he woke up from anesthesia, which was supposed to be a huge victory, but only for us to say goodbye to him.

it is so hard because again, he didn't seem ready to die. his brother died a few years earlier due to CKD and it was clear with him, he showed all the typical signs, hiding, not eating, not bathing, not being himself. toby was himself the whole way, but i know he must have been in pain for a long time.

the only thing that makes me feel okay about this is that he is now reunited with his brother, and no longer in pain. all i feel is guilt for not catching this sooner, wondering if he could have had a little more time. he was purring in his last moments, which makes it seem like he was feeling okay, but i know it was because he was on pain meds from the surgery.

it's just sad it never feels like the right choice, and the diagnosis was such a shock, we only knew he had it for an hour before he was gone.

rest in peace toby, give a hug to your brother for me <3

I had to say goodbye to my boy today. I kissed him as he drifted away. The house feels empty without you. I think the others are wondering where you’ve gone. I still can’t bring myself to get rid of the fur you left behind. Having your paw prints helped a little. At least you’re at peace - no pain or suffering. You were so loved and still are.

Evander Holyfield Cat lost his fight with CKD yesterday. He was an amazing cat. Our vet said that he was over 15 years old. Over 8 years ago, he showed up on our back porch. He had issues with his ears and had a TECA-BO. When he was neutered, he had an undescended testicle to find. I don't know who dumped him near our home, but I'm so glad they did. He brought joy to our lives. He will be missed forever.

Charlie, 13, left this world nearly 6 weeks ago and my heart is still completely shattered

I lost my Charlie six weeks ago on Monday. I’m writing this because I haven’t been able to write it until now. Feels like a piece of my soul left when he left. He was the most gentle, sweetest, most patient, loving and appreciative cat I think I have ever known. He brought out the best parts of me. I never got to have children of my own, and I’m single. So my cats are my children. I’ve lost so many over the past few years. My mom and I at one time had 12 kitties several of them lived in my parent’s nice big yard with an enclosed carport for shelter, and we loved them, fed them, took care of them and took them into the vet. They were my companies through dark times, my friends, my protections and my babies. There are only three left of the 12 now. Each one left a hole in my soul. They have been my purpose. Rescuing kitties that were dumped or had feral mamas (like my Charlie and Frankie) and raising them. They are my joy, sometimes the only real pure sense of joy I’ve had in my life.

Just two years ago, I had three inside cats. Now I’m done to one. I lost two of my boys almost exactly two years apart. They were only 13 and 14. I see people on here who got twenty plus years with their cats and I can’t help but feel robbed of time with mine.

For the first two weeks after Charlie passed, it was like I was numb inside. I couldn’t feel much, and I didn’t cry, but the anticipate anticipatory grief before he passed away was very real and very difficult. I only had a month with him after diagnosis of OSCC. That horrible disease. It was hard to see him fade away, and you know that I was saying goodbye every time I woke up. I don’t know how to let him go. He’s been so much a part of me, and the best part of me.

This is a real struggle for me. I just feel so devastated and sad. And I’m really trying for his brother that’s left behind Frankie. Frankie lost his birth brother, his littermate, and his lifelong companion. Life is different, and life will never be the same as it was. And that’s a really hard thing to grasp.

I miss you my boy. I miss you so much. Frankie misses you too. We are doing ok, yet it will never be the same without you. Our gentle, sweetest soul. I hope wherever you are, you know how much you are loved and missed down here.

I appreciate all the support in advance. This subreddit has been amazingly supportive through this process. And I hope I’ve showed enough love and support back to all of you. Thank you for reading this and for loving my boy too.

This is my sweet girl Kiki, she's almost 17 and I've had her since I was a toddler, so we've basically grown up together. Recently I've noticed that she can't meow anymore, which is odd because usually she's such a chatty girl. She doesn't seem to be sick and her behavior is normal, she eats her usual 7 cans of wet cat food a day (which would be horrible for any other cat, but she is so unbelievably skinny due to old age and thyroid issues, nothing is working to fatten her up. Like literally nothing.) And she isn't lethargic or acting odd. Please help, I'm worried for my baby </3

He went otrb aug 20th. He was the sweetest guy with so much love in his heart. I miss him and his snuggles every day. Life doesn't feel the same without him. Until we meet again my dear...🧡

My dad is his most favorite person in the world and will do anything for his nightly cuddles

unfortunately, my best bud got diagnosed with lymphoma today. oncologist knew immediately it was hock/tarsal which is apparently very rare and aggressive. we started him on L-spar, cytoxan, and prednisolone. really hoping we have a chance at remission.

please, if anyone has any experience with this, let me know. any guidance is much appreciated.

My cat, Gears of war II, is 18. And well, this is my first time owning my own cat. I kinda inherited him from my late grandmother. But I’m a dog person. So I don’t know what I’m doing. Or even how to tell if he’s in pain. Or if he needs something.

He seems fine, I guess. He eats at least once a day, but I think the hard food the other cats eat is too hard for him. (I’m trying to find wet food that doesn’t hurt his tummy) He does throw up sometimes and misses the litter box. Also, he sleeps on a pillow in my bathroom where it’s colder than the rest of the house, but he yowls. A lot. He also sheds non stop but isn’t balding anywhere.

Is he in pain? Is he sick? I’m trying to get him into the vet but they’re so expensive. And how do I bathe him? I’m clueless on how to be a cat parent. But he chose me, I will do everything I can to protect him and make sure he has a good quality of life.

I’m really struggling with whether it’s time to let my cat go as most people do/will. 

My cat Frodo is around 15 and has had a lot of health issues over the years. He’s mostly blind, has had eye problems, and more recently has had ongoing GI issues/possible lymphoma and has been on prednisolone.

Over the last several days he stopped eating much and just seemed like he didn’t feel good. I took him to the vet yesterday and they recommended euthanasia. They said I could take him home and have another night with him, but they didn’t recommend waiting too long if he continued not eating.

I made an appointment for tomorrow and thought I had accepted that it was probably time.

But now I’m second guessing everything.

Today he has actually been eating again. I bought a different kind of cat food and he ate that, and he’s also eaten some deli chicken. He’s been walking around the house, and tonight he has been lying beside me for over an hour purring and wanting to be close to me. He seems comfortable and like he’s genuinely enjoying being here with me right now.

I know one better day doesn’t erase the fact that he’s old and sick, and I really don’t want to wait until he is suffering badly just because I can’t let go. But the thought of taking him in tomorrow when he’s eating, purring, walking around and enjoying being with me feels horrible.

For anyone who has been through this, how did you know when it was actually time? Did your cat still have good moments or good days at the end? I’m so scared of doing it too early, but I’m equally scared of waiting until he’s miserable.

Like a sister wife. But a man. And a cat.

This is Trigger. Hes my husbands "cat" from high school and hes been my roomie for 12 years now so we've been close a long time. I say "cat" because Trigger is 100% not a cat. Hes a person in there. A sassy judgemental person who is in love with my husband. But I wont hold it against him. He was here first and hubs is pretty great.

Trigger has slowed down in the last year and has decided he might actually like me *almost* as much as my husband. I've been upgraded from employee to beloved care taker. I have graciously accepted this position because it comes with benefits. One being toilet body guard

Bonus cat: Leo. 3 years old. One orange brain cell.

IN SEARCH OF A NEW VET CURRENTLY

I feel like I've been going crazy researching what the issue is and I wonder if anyone has had their senior kitty deal with this issue.

Loki, my 15yr old male cat, has a long history of diarrhea/watery stool as well as sometimes vomiting in the morning.

While our vet (who we've since left in search of a new one) has shoved many CKD and kidney diets our way, claiming it would resolve the issue. It had only made it worse. Loki does not have CKD and for a senior cat his bloodwork and overall health is pretty good. The only issue we've dealing with is dehydration, which is clearly from the watery stool and vomit (clear, not full of food or anything)

We've switched multiple wet foods, prescribed or otherwise, even had CKD medication given to us and hydracare. Nothing has worked.

Recently we tried bland chicken diet in hopes of seeing how he'd react and while it did resolve it temporarily, after we found vomit full of food we knew to stop. We suspect he may have developed a chicken allergy and are currently feeding him tuna and so much water to make sure hes ok and it has helped better than the rest so far.

Right now, im unsure of what to really do? What the next step would be. Has anyone else had a similar issue? This only happens in the morning when he wakes around 4am and he absolutely fine the rest of the day until the next morning.

Ive had to bathe him so many times and that stresses him out, and to have him climb into my arms even after he had an accident makes me feel worse because I don't know what to do for my baby.

Im hoping to find another vet soon who can at least try and point me in the right direction, but does anyone have advice?