Euthanizing cat for peeing

[obelix3619]

We have a 14 year old cat.  For many years we have been struggling with the cat urinating everywhere.  When she was young, we didn't have any real issue.   My wife got a third cat that was a stray, (the first cat preceeded the 2nd cat which is the one with the issue), and after that the cat started going outside the litter box.  The first cat recently died of kidney failure.

We eventually gave away the stray to a good home, but the cat kept going everywhere, although it wasn't really really  bad..  About 3 years ago we moved into a new home.  The problem kept getting worse.  Going everywhere, My bed even, the kids beds, their rooms, everywhere, anywhere.  It made one room with carpet in particular a target.   We tried everything, different litter, litter additives, extra boxes, locking it up for weeks at a time with just the little box in the bathroom.  Nothing has seemed to work.  We were even successfully able to find a new home for the cat, but the cat couldn't adjust to the new owners and ran way.  We brought it back home. It eventually ruined the carpet in the room, and we ended up ripping out 2000 worth of new carpet thinking that if we put down hardwood floors it would stop it.  No one else will take the cat, and we don't want to give it to strangers, a shelter, or put a declawed cat outside.
It didn't stop, instead it moved up stairs where there was still carpet, and concentrated on the areas in my room, rugs, childrens beds, their carpet, everything.  It's so bad in one my daughters rooms at the moment that it smells of cat poop and urine right now, and is a wash with urine stains to the point that it's not sanitary for my daughter to sleep in it until it can be thoroughly cleaned.
My wife has a particular attachment to the cat and views it as her animal, and at this point we want to have it euthanized, which  is particularly hard on my wife.  After many years of trying different things, spending lot of money in the process both on new stuff for the cat, and throwing out items the cat has runed (2000 worth of 1year old carpet), it's just too much to deal with for what could still be many more years of life out of the cat.   The kids love the cat, but they don't like the messes the cat makes in their room, and are too young to really understand the situation.  
In the past few weeks, the cat has really went on a streak, going everywhere and to the point my daughter can't sleep in her room anymore becuase of the sanitary situation.  
Is euthanizing the animal a viable option at this point.  It's a hard decision to make, but my wife and I both feel that it's the only option left on the table at this point.

Thanks

[CML2014]

So very well said Pip!!!  Wise words to share with obelix.

CML

[Piparskeggr]

Sometimes, the decision you have made, as hard as it is, is the only one.

You and your family have tried to overcome this Sisyphian task and have shown patience well beyond heroic, I think.  I read your words as saying that you have tried every avenue possible with your vet.

Gods bless you and may you find it in your heart to give another kitty a chance at the life you tried to give her.

[obelix3619]

Yes, we've taking the cat to the vet, and tried many things.. We have a final appointment with the vet on Monday.  There's nothing else we can do..

[CML2014]

Hi Opus,

In my comment I had also said "I assume the VET has ruled out any medical reason for this" So I also " assumed"!
Considering this has been going on for years , would that still be medical?


......AND by the way Obelisk, what is the word on your kitties situation??? Please let us know, as you can see we are also worried.

Thanks,
CML

[dboldham]

Kitty may have crystals in his urine. My vet recommended I give him distilled water to drink. This took care of the problem and he started using his litter box. Good luck

[opus88]

geez.....I had ASSUMED when it was said they had tried everything and this had been going on for many years, that this kitty had at least seen a Vet...shouldn't assume anything, thanks guys for pointing that fact out, Now I wonder if a  medical condition had been ruled out?...

[DANDE2014]

I agree with ZQ. This cat has health issues which have probably not been ruled out yet. Please come back and tell us a bit more as to the medical history of this kitty. What is the vet's opinion?

[zodiacqueen]

Excessive urination like this is a sign of kidney disease and diabetes.  Have these conditions been ruled out?

I do think that you have been very patient with your cat, but, please rule out(if you haven't already) these medical conditions first before you give your cat a death sentence.

[opus88]

heres another alternative that I had been considering......stud pants (diapers) they use these for many dogs...and now I find cats too. watch the video:))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=056O-IJ8FqE&feature=related

[AppleBr]

I would never kill a cat for this reason.Confining him in a separate place sounds good to me...
Good luck!

[opus88]

heres the link to the medication

http://www.drugs.com/vet/zylkene-75-mg.html

I would very much hope you would try this and if need be than prozac, I dont like the thoughts of resorting to this one either but from what I've read abt it, it can also be very successful in some cases and often doesn't even need to be used long term

we support you in whatever decision you come to and know it will be done with love for you little lady. keep us posted ok...and good luck♥

[opus88]

Wow, you hv all gone above an beyond for this kitty, I can tell how much she means to you but your at yr wits end, sure can't say I blame you either.
You are considering euthanasia as a last option an to me as much as I too disagree wth this in most cases, IMO it's being a much more responsible pet owner than putting her in a shelter only to live out her days in a cage or taken home by some owners that may not be nearly as patient.

CML has made some interesting alternatives like her own private room, is that an option for you?

Or medication, has that been tried? I have a male wth inappropriate elimination problems too, tho not to nearly the extent of yr kitty! I tried the amino acid l-theanine that many have had success wth, but that didn't work I was very reluctantly ready to try Prozac as a last resort. My Vet asked me to try a more natural medication first, that works in some cases. He's been on this for nearly a year now an I am very happy to say it's helped a lot, not 100%. But probably 80-85% if he messes it's usually b/c I neglected to give it to him for a day or more.

The name is Zylkene made by Vetoquinol

[CML2014]

Hi,

Well I may not have the answers but I do have a few things you could try.
I am assuming your kit has been given a clean bill of health from the vet and you know there is no medical reason for this random urinating......so Could you perhaps limit her to her own room, like the laundry room or an extra bathroom. In there make it her little space with food water and her litter box at another end of the room from the food. Cats do not want to pee where they eat, LOL ,can we blame them? A nice warm and comfy bed and her toys. Like her own Hotel room!

Keep her in that room and see how things go. The family can still visit her in her new room and play with her ,but she will not have free rein over the house. If the urination continues outside of the box , take notice when it happens. She may have separation anxiety. When you, the wife, and the kids are out of the house she feels abandoned---yes cats can be neurotic.

Now ,for this anxiety, there is medication the vet can give her, just like we humans take antidepressants,  cats can to.
These would just be my suggestions, I am sure others will chime in with help also.

None of us want to see a kitty euthanized if it is a behavior you can work around or correct. If it is a medical problem (14 years ? not sure it would be medical), but I am sure she has been checked by the vet. Ya know it could be something like she never liked the litter you have used--Yes, they do have a "Catitude", especially if she is a Tortie.

I know it cannot be easy for you and your family . I can read in your post how torn you are. I am afraid I am no help when it comes to putting a cat to sleep ...I am just not going to go there unless the cat has no quality of life due to pain or illness. You have to do what you and your family need to do, though.

Praying for you in your decision,
CML

[DebbyObinna]

I realize this is an old post and I hope medical treatment was sought for this kitty. One thing I want to say in response to a 14 year old cat most likely not having a medical reason for urinating out of the box. This is why you need to consult a vet at least. My mommy cat, AngelFoodCake was a perfect house cat until 13 when she suddenly started urinating out of the box.  After doing all the obvious things and then lots of money in vet bills, she has gastrointestinal cancer.  By the time this is found out it isn't much time before a cat expires.  My mommy girl passed away 6 months after we figured out what her issue was.
She also had a bladder infection that was her major culprit for peeing out of the box. Once that was cleared she rarely missed the box.
Please don't look for advise on the internet. We are not close to being medically qualified to give you proper answers.
The average age for a cat is 13. If you are lucky enough to have one living longer you must be doing something right.
My old boy is 17 with age related issues including hyperthyroidism which he takes a very inexpensive human thyroid pill for.  Recently he too,  is turning to a bag of bones. His vet told me this is because he sleeps more and is losing muscle.  After watching the way my mommy cat passed being euthanized, and the cost, I've decided to let him go peacefully in his own home, his own bed, hopefully with me by his side.