Whats the best way to help my dying cat How can I tell if shes in pain

Missy is 18 yrs old. She stopped eating several days ago, has lost a whole lot of weight, is boney, weak, and is sleeping a lot. She can hardly walk. She still purrs a little when I pet her and talk to her.

Dear Dottie,

Read your question, looked at the answers, then read your question *again*. It does sound as though she is going downhill.

The best way to help your dying cat is to be in tune to her. You need to figure out if she is suffering. Your vet can help you with this. If she is not suffering, continue to give her solice - pets, cooing, gentle love. If she IS suffering, I agree with others that the very kindest thing you can do for her (as heartrenching as it is for you), is to hold her in your arms and let the vet put an end to her suffering (aka "put her to sleep") It is a gentle, kind end to suffering. I have a very kind vet who has helped me by saying "you'll know when it's time". I didn't understand, but she was right - I knew. Sniff. On another occassion, she called to ask how our dog was - he had bone cancer. She didn't make housecalls, so I called another vet to come here. On June 30, 1991 my husband helped me carry out my very dearest dog. We sat on a sleeping bag in the grass on a beautiful day, and the vet came to put Sam to sleep.

Know you are grieving & want to say "all is ok". I hope so. But please give some thought and decide what to do. In the meantime the best way to help your "dying cat" is just what you've been doing. Lots of love and pets.