Pawrent thinks it may be time for her 22-year-old senior cat Missy to say goodbye, calls the vet in tears, then gets more precious days to spoil her feline child

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Sep 5, 2026 10:15 AM EDT

How do you know when it's time to let go of your most precious pet?

Saying goodbye is never easy. It's even harder to know when the right time is to say goodbye. Sometimes, it's obvious; the signs are staring you in the face, and you are left with no choice. But other times, the signs happen gradually, over time, and are much more subtle. Your pets start to move a lot slower than they used to. They're not as interested in playing anymore. You have to coax them to finish their food, or even eat at all. They seem to slowly fade away, a ghost of the puppy or cat they used to be. But when is the right time to say "enough is enough"?

Sometimes you will feel like you're making the wrong decision, and it's important that you listen to not only your vet's advice, but also your gut instinct, as Missy's mom did. Missy is a 22-year-old sweet senior cat, and her pawrent got heartbreaking news from the vet - making her think that Missy's time was closer than she imagined. Friends, family, everyone told her to get it over with before she regretted waiting too long. 

So she made the appointment to say her final goodbye.

But as the days approached the appointment, she felt that something was wrong. It wasn't Missy's time, not yet. She called the vet crying, and they reassured her that there was still time for her to spoil her fur baby for more days to come. 

At 22-years-old, Missy will never "get better", not even a cat can escape old age for long. But, for now, pet and pawrent get more time to cuddle together, eat together, and make a few more memories before that time eventually comes.

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    Last week when I received bad news about Missy, my world was shattered. My vet told me to take her home, spend the weekend with her, and then see where we're at. I
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    had talked to some people over the weekend that told me it's 'her time' .. I said but she's eating and going potty in her box. She's coming over to my chair in the middle of the night to wake me up and let me know she needs food.
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    She seems peaceful. She breaths a little fast, due to the fluid the vet can see in her abdomen, but she's on lasixs now and it isn't a hard, labored, breathing it's just a little 'different' - but it's been like that for awhile now. Trust me, I watch!!
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  • It's our job as pawrents to make that decision for them. I don't even like talking about this because it makes me emotional, thinking about having to do the same for my own cats one day. But, it is a reality we all must face, and more often than not, there won't be a purrfect time to make the decision. You have to use your best judgment and hope that you didn't selfishly wait too long or make a preemptive decision that you will later regret.

  • 05
    The one comment that got me was 'but isn't that what you want her to remember?? Rather than waiting until something tragic happens and she's struggling and you're traumatized??' .. .. .. when they said they, I lost it because that is the LAST thing I want.
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    I had decided I was going to make her appt for Monday. I felt sick about it. I 'slept' on her pallet with her.. cried until I literally wondered how it was even possible to cry more.. not sure how the human body can produce so many tears.
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    Saturday morning I still felt super sick about the whole thing. I called my vet and we talked for awhile. He is so kind and so understanding and told me he doesn't believe it's time. Obviously she isn't going to get 'better', but if we can keep things at bay, that's what we're going to do. Seeing that she's 22 .. we're a little more limited.
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    I will continue to watch her .. spoil her.. and love her every moment that I can.
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    kittybigs I knew when my little girl fell 3 times while trying to walk to me. It broke my heart. Her little body just gave out. I wish you and Missy Cat the best.
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    AetherialnBeing We called the last 2 months with our 22ish gentleman to be his hospice care. And until the last day, he made it to the box, to the food, to the water and would give us those big eyes when he wanted to be picked up and cuddled. On
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    that last day, he couldn't stand long enough to fill his belly. He'd lay down next to the food, only to stand up again 5 minutes later and continue eating for a minute before lying down once more. It was clear. At that point his spirit had outrun what his body could do and we said goodbye that night.
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    We regret nothing about those last 2 months. He was loved and purred with everything he had when we held him those weeks, even when he fell asleep in our arms for the last time.
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  • I know Caturday is normally for happy cat stories, but sometimes, it's nice to cry a little bit. It's such a good release! 

    We're not really sad, but it's like a “future sadness” - regretting things that haven't even happened yet. It will be heartbreaking, but for now, it makes us want to hug and kiss our cats until they run away from us (and then do it again!). Posts like this make me want to spoil my cats even more than I already do, and if you look at it that way, it's actually quite beautiful.

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    PennyCharlieKitties You know her better than anyone and there is no doubt that when it's time not only will you be sure but you'll do the right thing for her. She's beautiful.
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    Random_String629 You know her day to day better than anyone. And I am by no means shaming you for waiting. I think if she's healthy enough to have proper QoL than that's beautiful and you both are blessed to have each other.
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    So when that day comes, if it's time but you just can't fathom it, can't comprehend the idea of making that decision for her.... Better a month early, than a day late. She'll thank you when you meet again.
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    Mossparty637 It's hard no matter what you choose, I don't think that anyone who has been with a beloved pet at the end doesn't feel some sort of regret. I regret both taking too long AND not taking longer, which I like to think means we chose exactly the right time
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    Cat Lady3000 Sounds like you have a wonderful vet working with you.
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    Please, with all due respect, ignore all the Internet people and go with your gut. You KNOW your cat, and so does your vet. Those tears are because you know she's got a bit left in her. You will absolutely know when it's time to let go so trust your gut.
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    ExtremeFamous7699 This is bonus time as long as the cat is comfortable, I kept a constant check on my cat after he came through an episode of seizures. We had almost an extra year until another episode of seizures came and didn't stop.
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    Direct-Giraffe7193 If she is still eating, drinking, peeing, pooping, cuddling, and getting some enjoyment out of life, then let her live. If she gets to a point where she is truly suffering, that will be time for a decision. But for now, if she is feeling good. enough to cuddle and ask for food, you should enjoy more time with her.
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    Legitimate-Hope-1349 I'm so glad you backed out of your decision and given Missy some more time with you and your family after 22 years That's a blessing that she's still with you! I can only pray that I
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    get that much time with my girl and I'm doing my best to make sure she has everything she needs and to take care of her the best way of possible to have a long life with me. And I'm glad you talked to the vet about it.
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    And that's great news! So continue on with all the pets, cuddles and kisses for Missy and enjoy the remainder of the time you have left!!♥A
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    Kalichun Use this time as you are to cherish and say goodbye for as long as she is here. Record yourself with her, singing songs and cuddling. All of this left me with soft memories that we did all we could
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vet senior cats cat pawrents pets
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