My 17yr cat is sick. They think it is cancer. I'm supposed to decide when to take her in and have her put down. My heart is ripping out of my chest by the minute. So what should I look for in my cat to know whether or not its time to put her down. Everyone says, "You'll know!" But no one will tell me how I will know. I don't want her to suffer.
You'll know it automatically when your cat's condition would tell it to you. At that time nobody would be telling you that it is the time but it would reveal unto you as it was always in your heart. Surely death does not mean suffering but it means the transfer from one world to another world.
Just an update -- I had to put my Patches down back in September (a little over a month after posting my question). You were right Tausif--I did know in my heart it was time, but it still wasn't easy. Faydra, I did the same thing--I watched her and when her breathing became worse and she dropped more weight I knew it was time. I still had doubts going to the vets office but when she didn't respond to their poking and prodding, I knew she was ready.
I am going through the same thing. My cat is 27 and has chronic kidney failure. I just monitor her and if she is purring once in a while and is acting "normal" then she's o.k. If I hear her crying or wailing or if her coat looks horrible and she looks awful then I believe it is time for me to act. You just have to watch her and be alert to the changes that she will go through. Yes, it will hurt but such is love isn't it.