What would you do about this cat?

[Amy10223]

Twenty two yr old male cat, a bit senile because he forgets when he last ate and is asking for food all day (and sometimes at night at 3:00 am). Has a thyroid problem, so I avoid giving hi any fish pet food. Lately, he's been going anywhere he wants; on carpet, in the garage (both #1 and #2), and attempts to go in my bathroom so he can go on the floor. His kitty box is clean at all times, and I have two. He knows its in the garage which is not far from anywhere in the house. Today I placed a box inside the house, by the garage because I caught him peeing by a hutch I have there.

I have thought of putting him to sleep, but I feel too guilty.

Updates

3 mo

My cat isn't do well now at all. Most likely, he will be put down today or tomorrow. He is bleeding from his behind, and I'm not sure if he is in pain or anything--but I don't want him suffering, so it's time. It will feel strange not to have him here--he would be 23 in the early summer.

[DryGermanGuy]

Tough decision, as we all love our pets. Both my parents and my grandparents put a cat down in similar age (20+). One stopped eating and had a heart insufficiency, the other couldn't clean her Persian fur anymore and was peeing all over the house. I guess it comes down to the question if an animal has still a certain amount of a healthy and happy life.

[OlderAndWiser]

He is 22 years old and that is extraordinarily old for a cat. Do you think he is having any quality in his life? Does he still seek your attention and want to be petted? Does he engage with other things in his environment or does he just eat and sleep?

[Amy10223]

He still seeks attention when I am sitting by him, yes.

[OlderAndWiser]

Have you asked your vet for his or her opinion?

Thanks for MHO.

[Amy10223]

Yes. When the cat was having issues with his thyroid, the vet had told me more or less, that you have to look at the quality of his life he has, rather than anything else. But even if the cat is frail, he comes to me on the couch to sit by me, and responds to my petting him, nudging my hand and so on, so it's hard for me to decide.
I had a bad experience with a golden retriever female I had once, who had cancer when I bought her and no one knew. After an operation to remove a tumor and 2 chemo treatments, she became sick one day, wasn't herself and didn't eat. So I brought her in, as they had recommended me to do when this happened, and said it was best for her. I still feel guilty, because I feel she could have lived longer had I waited. She was only 6 months old (or maybe 8) and was as huge as a regular sized dog. In the waiting room she was happy and nudging people to pet her. So, this is why I could never do this again.

[OlderAndWiser]

You have my condolences!

[Amy10223]

Thank you. I actually got back from the vet awhile ago who told me he had cystitis (inflammation of the bladder lining). So he’s on meds now and doing better. I was all prepared to be ready for the worst and they said he’d be fine. I had already begun to cry in the waiting room when they came to take him for examination. Now, if in 3 days time and he still has trouble urinating, then it’ll be time to look at the quality of life he has and think of bringing him in to say goodbye.

[jshm2]

He's stuck in his habits, he's not "senile".

You could always pound him, or give him away, rather than kill it.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry to say this, but its time to have your cat put down. His quality of life is basically gone.