Blind Cat

MouldyOldDough

Our 18 year old moggie has been walking around the house for a couple of weeks as if in a daze - bumping in to things

He's also been crying a lot - we thought that it was a type of echo location

We took him to the vet this morning and gpt devastating news - he's blind and also has dementia

Is it kindest to put him to sleep or will he be able to get around because this has been his home all of his life

Obviously - we can't move things now

Whalie

I think you have to ask yourselves if his quality of life is still okay.  We had a dog who at 17 1/2 years became confused and upset with dementia.  A hard decision to make but it was harder to see her like that so we had her put to sleep.  At 18 years your cat has had a long life and is classed as super senior at the vets!   

MouldyOldDough

Whalie said:

I think you have to ask yourselves if his quality of life is still okay.  We had a dog who at 17 1/2 years became confused and upset with dementia.  A hard decision to make but it was harder to see her like that so we had her put to sleep.  At 18 years your cat has had a long life and is classed as super senior at the vets!   

We lost another cat last year, that was 4 years older, he had dementia as well

He's losing his teeth too

Its an extremely hard decision to make

Whalie

MouldyOldDough I feel your pain.  My cat is over 17 and has just come out of a period of illness and at that time I was thinking I may have to say good-bye to her.  Thankfully she is back enjoying life.

donnac2558

Many cats can live with blindness, but the dementia means they won't know where they are or even who you are.

What is best for your elderly cat?

goldieandblackie

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Blind-Cat-Natasha-Mitchell/dp/0955691311

I can highly recommend this book which I purchased when our cat went blind, yes they can live a great despite being blind.

sheramber

it depends on the cat's quality of life.

One of my osn's went blind but still roamed outdoors. Sometimes he got lost and he would cry. The other cat would come from wherever he was and lead the blind one home.

MouldyOldDough

goldieandblackie said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caring-Blind-Cat-Natasha-Mitchell/dp/0955691311

I can highly recommend this book which I purchased when our cat went blind, yes they can live a great despite being blind.

Ordered a copy - thanks

Murphybear

I had lunch today with a couple who regularly cat sit in peoples houses.  Their latest visit was for a blind cat.  They said he was amazing, they would never have known he was blind.  From what they were saying the secret is to be super careful about making sure there are no things left out where the cat goes.  Cats do have other well developed senses and their whiskers are brilliant.  

RalphT264

Growing up, one of my cats developed feline dementia. It was heartbreaking to witness his mental decline. He gradually began to pee all over the home, and it always reeked. This was the final straw for us, along with the continual yowling. My mum decided to honor his happy memories and put him to sleep when the vet questioned if she wanted her last thoughts of the cat to be bad and resentful.