Is it the right thing to do by putting my 18 1/2 year old cat to sleep? Is it betraying her or helping her?

Asked by stevenb (3836) January 8th, 2010 from iPhone

I have had my cat, Ibanez, or IB, since 1991. She is like a child or family member to me. I was very lucky in that she has never been sick or hardly had to go to the vet. She is the sweetest cat in the world, very loving and just an amazing friend.

I have been feeding her baby food for around three or four months. She can’t eat regular foo without throwing it up. She is starting to lose control of her bladder due to renal failure. The vet also says she is not getting any nutrition from her food, or vitamins, etc. She is basically starving even though she eats regularly. She is also losing her sight slowly. She also has a bit of a wobble when walking.

My problem is that she looks and acts mostly fine on the outside. She still gets around the house pretty well, and spends a couple of hours on my lap each night. She also snuggles up and sleeps with me every night like she has almost every night since 1991. I have had her for almost half of my life.

My problem is that the vet says we should put her to sleep because there is no way to help her without making her miserable and it is doubtful if even then anything would help her.

I am so torn up by this. I look at her and think, if someone tried to suffocate her, she would fight for life, so am I right in following the vets advice (more than one) and putting her to sleep? Is it purely selfish of me not to let her go and not suffer? I always promised myself that I didn’t want her to suffer, but when she sits on my lap purring in contentment I can’t picture letting a vet snuff out her wonderful little life. Someone please help me with this. I have never had to decide something so har as this. Thank you to all who respond.