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Family prepared to say goodbye to their terminally ill senior cat — but her final act spared them heartbreak

The unexpected last move of a 17-year-old cat, scheduled for euthanasia due to health complications, has left her owner feeling guilty.

BY TIYASA BISWAS

PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO

(L) A veterinarian visiting cat at home, (R) Woman pet owner cuddling with cat. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Phynart Studio, (R) IvanJekic)

A family was struck by grief when their ill senior cat neared the end of her life. The owner had noticed their cat struggling with her health, but delayed euthanasia as long as they could. However, it was finally decided that it was time to put her down forever. As the family prepared to say their final goodbyes, the cat’s last act left them speechless. The cat owner, posting under u/ericacearborea on Reddit, now feels guilty, but the internet reassured them that it was to spare them the pain of losing her.

A sick cat at the vet. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | luliia Burmistrova)

The 17-year-old cat was scheduled to be euthanized after facing several health complications. She was diagnosed with a tumor in her nose and could not breathe properly, often suffering from nosebleeds. Realizing it was time to let her go peacefully, the owner had arranged for an in-home euthanasia to be performed by a vet. Unfortunately, the cat had a different idea in mind, and she ran away before they could put her down. The pet owner told Newsweek that she went outside and never returned. They waited for two days, hoping she would find her way back.

Veterinarian giving an injection to cat.(Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Nadzeya Haroshka) — Veterinarian giving an injection to cat. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Nadzeya Haroshka)

Living in a small town near the woods, the family tried searching for the cat but could not find her anywhere. "We should've done it sooner cause now all I can think about is my sweet girl dying alone, scared, and in pain,” the owner regretted. In an attempt to encourage her to return, the family put her favorite blanket and food bowl outside their house, but in vain. "We tried for days, but we couldn't find her at all,” the owner said. The cat’s sudden disappearance took a toll on the owner’s mental health. They blamed themselves for delaying the euthanasia that could have saved her beloved pet from dying all alone.

Cat in the outdoors. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Ryutaro Tsukata)

They claimed that their emotions interfered with her decision for what was best for her cat. “Every time I saw her eating well or jumping around, I thought it was too soon, and that I could spend some more time with her,” the post expressed. According to the source, there were other cat parents with similar stories in the comments who felt the owner’s pain. "This has happened to me also. They will definitely [sic] leave when it's time to go. It is heartbreaking to think they may be doing it to spare us the pain, but I don't doubt it. I'm so sorry,” someone wrote.

An owner hugging and comforting her pet cat. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | imageBroker/ Mariano Gaspar)

Another person comforted, “Don't take this as a sign you waited too long—this is a sign you both were in agreement on timing. In a way, she is taking control of her own death experience." There is no perfect moment for a pet to be put down. The choice always depends on the owner and their knowledge of the pet’s quality of life. Cats are masters at hiding pain and suffering, which can make the timing difficult to judge. According to Compassionate Pet Vet, there are signs to look for. Avoidance of favorite activities, increasing anxiety, irregular behavior, avoiding family, panting or gasping for breath, among others.