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Struggling with putting my cat down

Rach_den23_
Community Member

Hi, I have recently put my cat down and I am struggling massively with the decision I made, I regret doing it. He had surgery a few months ago for this same problem, he had surgery again and then I was told he had to have surgery again the next day and then go to the sunshine coast for weekend care (which is 1 hour away) I was told the same problem would possibly reoccur again. I chose to put him down, mainly  due to the cost if it all and the possibility it would happen again. Now I regret my decision and can't seem to get myself out of this depression. I miss my cat so much. Inwish I could go back to that day and start over

3 Replies 3

Croix
Community Champion
Community Champion

Dear Rach_den23_~

Welcome here ot the Forum. A good idea as you may find when looking around others have had to face similar things.

 

I think it is pretty obvious you loved your cat, getting him repeated medical attention, and later missing him so much.

 

While you might blame yourself thinking money was too much of an influence I would suggest you look at another way. As someone who has been in exactly the same position wiht my treasured pets over the years I'll admit expense does come into it, however on reflection that has not been the main influence.

 

I'd be overwhelmed at my actions in putting a friend down, and at the time prone ot blame myself, and use money as the reason.

 

In fact that was not really the important thing . You were faced wiht a series of operations, and would have not had them done unless your cat was limited or suffering - which is no real life, in fact life becomes a burden, something they are often not good at telling us. The actual operations too are dramatic and puzzling - even frightening - to an animal.

 

So you have lifted those burdens and taken grief and guilt on yourself, an act of mercy at personal emotional expense. I find the thought of taking that burden on my shoulders a sort of comfort, and I hope you can do so too

 

You are welcome to talk here anytime. Loss is very real.

 

Croix

Thanks for your reply. Everyday that goes by gets a little easier I guess, I'm still extremely sad and still have massive amounts of guilt flowing through me, but I know deep down I did the right thing. I will be ok in time.

alsobewildered
Community Member

Hi, i have had this experience twice in the past 10 years, two darling pussycats i loved so much. In each case it was obvious that it was the kind thing to do but i still felt/feel guilty because it was my decision that ended their lives. I feel like i killed them. To make it worse, they both resisted and struggled, it was horrible. I absolutely know with my logical reasoning there was no other way, this was the only right thing to do and the vets each assured me it was time. I don’t know why there is this guilt reaction - i just live with it and tell myself it’s not warranted.