Senior Cat Comfort & Care

If you take anything away from this part of the book, let it be this: Making the decision to let your feline family member go may be incredibly hard. But it's also a true gift for both of you. Let your sadness be balanced by your ability to let them live their final days with dignity and pass from this world peacefully.

Unfortunately, there's no one way to know when it's time. The quality-of-life scale that is discussed in Tip #101 is an invaluable resource. You can look to your veterinarian for advice on what your cat may be experiencing, how well they can be managed with supportive care, and how quickly things will progress.

Trust your gut — you know your cat better than anyone. You will be able to feel things shifting for them and see when the spark in their eyes starts to diminish.

It's also common for people to say, "My cat told me they were ready to go." It's a connection that can't be explained. There may be a moment when you look at them and realize it's time. They're ready.

It's still not easy. But you can see it's more than just a guess you have to make. You have the tools and instincts to help the right decision come at the right time. Trust yourself.