I have a loverly ginger tabby cat who is nearing 19years old very soon and ive had her since i was 8 or 9 ( im 26 ) who has like many other peoples pets. been there for you more than most other people could ever be without being asked.
My mum keeps saying we may have to take her to the vets soon as she is getting older and i know she is but i dont feel the need to atm.
she is still active, running about like a mad thing jumping up on beds/chairs,eating , not alot but can vary somedays alot somedays only 1 or two packets others it can b 4-5 to catch up :| Her face lights up when i go near her even if its only if shes after something I know she gives me a different look to my mum which makes things even harder
Only real change i have seen is sometimes she's unsteady on her feat but not all the time. Other than that i see her as being perfectly healthy and not wanting to put her down when she is so well.
She has infact never really had any illnesses in her life at all.
What would you do in my position?
I know i should take her to the vets but i fear the words "she hasnt got long left" and being made to make a choice of putting her down then or coming back later ...
Sorry for the grammer but it is late and it has been going round my head so had to ask someone for advice.

If she's eating well, not seriously ill of injured, and her behaviour is normal (albeit 'elderly'), then there's no reason to take her to be put to sleep just because she's old. You should only consider that as an option if her quality of life diminishes to the point where she's suffering, for example, if she develops an age-related illness that can't be easily treated, and won't get any better. And then I'd seek a vet's advice, they'd be better able to guide you as to whether or not to make that decision.

One of my girls is twenty-one years old - her appetite varies, and she's not as active as she used to be. Has the occasional 'unsteady on her paws' moment too, but I wouldn't dream of taking that step unless it was in her best interests to do so. As long as she's happy and in good health, it's not something I'd consider.
My other baby died a few weeks ago - she was eighteen, and we knew very quickly that it was time. She was perfectly healthy, and then her kidneys just went. The change in her was dramatic, and very quick, so what we had to do was obvious.

If your cat is healthy, happy, eating well, and is still enjoying life, then you needn't take her in. Don't let your mother persuade you to do something that isn't necessary yet, and that you may end up regretting later. You're the best judge of when it's time to make that decision.

I absolutely agree. You will know the time is right when she just can't go on without suffering. It would be such a shame to end it now when she has come so far and may still have a while to go. If she is healthy then it isn't time. Don't let anyone force you to do it until it truly is time.

If your cat is behaving normally (allowing for her likely to be spending more time asleep at her age) eating, drinking normally, not losing condition or getting very thin, not incontinent, usually steady on its feet and otherwise not showing any obvious signs of illness then you've got an elderly cat who sounds as if she still has a very nice life.

You could take her to the vets for a check up to make sure her teeth are okay, to check if she needs worming, etc but I wouldn't be giving her annual jabs at her age.

Even so, 19 is old for a cat so one day soon something will go wrong. But you'll know that when it happens and it doesn't sound as though it has happened yet.


Be very grateful that I'd still got an elderly, healthy cat. Enjoy.

You should take your cat to the vets for checkups etc but if she is not ill and behaving normally then why on earth would she be put down ??? so dont worry about it.

As for your Mother , ask her how old she is and when she answers tell her " it will soon be time to take you to the doctors and have you humanely euthanised, after all you are getting older "

can't add any more then what's already been said if you are concerned about your cats age just go along to have a chat with your vet - tafter all hey will never put down any pet who is still relativly healthy -