Yesterday, I had my cat put to sleep and I'm full of regret. He was ill (liver cancer) and hadn't been eating for a long time. He'd stopped eating altogether for a week, but before that, he was barely eating anything – less than half an ounce a day. He was still drinking a tiny bit though. But he was starting to get really weak. Even so, he'd still respond when I spent time with him; he loved it when I brushed him. The day before yesterday, he was walking very slowly and couldn't get up on the sofa by himself anymore. I feel terrible for cutting his life short, even though I know there was no hope for him. I could have waited a bit longer. Doing it yesterday felt too soon. I feel so guilty about making that decision. Has anyone else been through something similar?
Translated from French
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I’ve just discovered this forum. If only I’d found it eight days ago. In our cat’s case, he had kidney cancer and, according to the head of internal medicine, he also had nodules on his pancreas. But he’d only stopped eating 24 hours prior and had hidden himself under a sofa bed. The head of internal medicine (a dreadful person, completely disrespectful to clients) ordered us to have him put down on 17/07/25. I think the emotional weight of a transfusion—which, according to this specialist, hadn't got our cat back on his feet—was just too much. The stress and the lack of sleep following an overnight hospitalisation meant my brain just couldn't process things properly, and I then went to our regular vet, who had just been called by the specialist to prepare for the euthanasia. Without any prior consultation or obtaining informed consent, our regular vet put our 15-year-old Maine Coon to sleep. In a way, I allowed a fatal procedure to happen against my will and my values. It all happened in such a blur.
I am absolutely devastated. I only realised what had happened after the injections. It’s monstrous. Our beautiful cat, who loved us so much, is gone. He should never have been put to sleep. My son has been very distressed since 17/07/25. Neither our local vet nor the specialist followed the procedures recommended by the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).
You shouldn't feel guilty. If your cat had cancer and his quality of life was failing, and yours was too, then it’s for the best for him and for you as well. I know it’s hard, but you’ve shown him just how much his well-being—which he no longer had—matters. I’ve just found out that my 16-year-old cat has cancer and I’ve thought long and hard about it; I don’t want to see her suffering and spending the end of her life unable to move. Why put our cats through unnecessary pain? I really do understand your grief.
Your post is from 2021, so perhaps my message will never be read. But I’ve come across your post tonight… I hope your grief has eased. 🙏. I had my cat, Kaloo, put to sleep this week and I’m feeling so guilty. It was a suspected intestinal tumour; he was on steroids which helped when I managed to get him to take them. He still had some energy, despite severe anaemia and dehydration. He would go outside, but sometimes I had to carry him back up because he didn't have the strength to get back up himself. He was hungry but couldn't really eat anymore; sometimes he was very weak, other times more alert. That day he was doing quite well, but he started crying, which had happened before. So, on a sudden impulse, I bundled him into his carrier and headed straight to the vet. He didn't like the carrier, so I had to be quick, otherwise I wouldn't have managed it. But it all happened so quickly and abruptly. My cat wasn't expecting it. I'm truly heartbroken, not just because he’s gone, but also because of the way I let him go. Rest in peace. I miss him. ♥️
I’m so sorry for your loss. I just wanted to say that as pet owners, I think we’ve all experienced that kind of pain. Don’t worry, even if the ache of missing them never completely goes away, it does become less unbearable after a while. Whatever you do, please don’t make the same mistake I did—don’t bottle it up. Talk about your sadness; you can offload here, or speak to a loved one or a professional. Take care.
Hi everyone, I’m reading your posts and I’m in tears. I had to have my 17-year-old cat put to sleep three weeks ago and I just can't get over it. He started going downhill on the 16th of May; I was constantly at the vet's, always hoping he’d pull through. I’d nearly lost him twice a few years ago, but we’d always managed to save him. Towards the end, since he wasn’t eating and could no longer stand, he caught a urinary infection, and despite two visits to the vet and two different treatments, it just kept coming back. He’d lost about 6 and a half pounds—he used to weigh about 1 stone 6 lbs a few years ago. I knew then that I had to let him go as he had no quality of life left, but since then I’ve been crying non-stop, I can’t sleep and I’ve lost interest in everything. I rescued him from the streets and I miss him terribly. I’m just heartbroken.
I lost my girl on Wednesday. She was put to sleep very peacefully, in two stages—first the anaesthetic and then the barbiturates. She went quickly, and I was right there with her.
It was the final act of love I could show her; she was so weak, exhausted by a persistent refusal to eat caused by digestive issues. She was 15, and her suffering would have only got worse. Of course, I’m second-guessing everything—was it really the right time? Should I have tried one more steroid injection? It made her eat a tiny bit for a few days, but then she’d stop again. Despite all my ruminations, I know deep down she passed away peacefully and without pain. That’s the last memory I have of her. I spared her further suffering, but it’s just so hard.
You did the best thing you could have done. He passed away quickly and peacefully by your side; if you hadn’t done anything, he might have suffered, dying in the night and away from you. I think you would have blamed yourself forever.
Yes, you’re right, we were there with him, talking to him and stroking him, but I was panicking about his reaction—the very thing I wanted to avoid, seeing him gasping for air and crying out. It wasn't for my sake, or I wouldn't have stayed, it was for him; I just wanted him to be out of pain. Seeing how it went compared to those who just drift off before their final breath, I’m so worried he suffered, gasping and opening his mouth with every breath. It’s really left us reeling...
Hello, I’ve had the sadness of having several of my pets put to sleep throughout my long life, all of whom were untreatable, of course. I’ve always stayed with them right until the end, and none of my pets reacted the way @Jessicaty’s did. After the first injection, they drifted off into a deep sleep very quickly (within seconds). Then, the vet checks a number of signs before giving the second, final injection. The cat doesn’t show any reaction and the heart stops beating quickly. The vet checks that all vital signs have ceased about 10 minutes after the second injection. It’s an incredibly hard thing to go through, but I never sensed even the slightest sign of suffering while my cats were in my arms during both injections. A peaceful, painless death is the final act of love we can offer a beloved pet. Prolonging treatment for the sake of it isn't love. Sending strength to everyone who has to make that final decision.
Hello, thank you for sharing your story. It’s a bit reassuring for everyone going through this difficult ordeal, and for you, having seen your little ones pass away so peacefully. We would have loved so much to see him just drift off and be at peace. Because of that, I don't understand what happened with our cat—his reaction after the injection. It’s like the sedative didn’t work; I’ve read that it can take 5 to 10 minutes for them to fall asleep. He didn't lose consciousness during that time; he panicked. I can't get the images out of my head—his little body struggling for breath, hearing his final cries. It haunts me; after all the years of happiness and gentleness he gave us, it felt so violent for him. Maybe we didn't pick the right time, or the right person to be there with him. I think he died in pain, even though the goal was the exact opposite. I can't stop thinking about it, but it's done now...
It was the best thing you could have done. He passed away quickly and peacefully, right by your side; if you hadn't done anything, he might have suffered, dying in the middle of the night away from you. I think you would have blamed yourself for the rest of your life.
Hello,
Over my long life, I’ve sadly had to have several of my pets put to sleep—all of whom were beyond help, of course. I’ve always stayed with them until the very end, and none of my pets reacted the way @Jessicaty’s did.
After the first injection, they fell into a very deep sleep very quickly (within a matter of seconds). The vet then checks for certain signs before giving the second, final injection. The cat shows no reaction at all, and the heart stops beating quickly. The vet confirms that all vital signs have ceased, about 10 minutes after the second jab. It’s an incredibly difficult thing to go through, but I didn’t see the slightest sign of suffering, even though I was holding my cats in my arms during both injections.
A peaceful death without any pain is the final act of love we can offer a beloved pet. Prolonging their suffering through unnecessary medical intervention isn’t love. Wishing strength to those of you who have to make that final decision.
