How do you know when it’s time to say goodbye?

Hi, guys.

I’ve had my cat since he was a kitten, and he just turned 14 this summer. He was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism last winter, and we found a dose to manage it well this spring. During the routine bloodwork yesterday to check on his levels, the vet confirmed what she suspected at his last appointment which is that he has kidney disease (stage 2). She went over treatment options, and we decided together to wait on a full diagnostic panel. He gets bloodwork done every 6 months anyways, so we will reevaluate then. In the meantime, I am going to do what I can to increase water intake and switch his food out to something for renal health or senior cats — whichever he’s willing to eat. He’s a picky guy, and we’ve been through lots of foods over the years that he just refuses to eat. My vet said she’s seen cats with conditions like mine live years after diagnosis. But it depends on the progression of disease and response to treatment.

Cats live a long time, but I’m aware that mine is old. Our time together will come to a close within the next few years. I got him when I was 13, so he has been with me through everything. Graduations, job changes, new homes, marriage, children — you name it.

It’s not time to even begin the euthanasia conversation with my vet. I feel like a monster for even thinking about it. Since I’ve had him for so long, I feel like I have to “prepare myself” for it though. This the first pet I have to make the call for. And I am so scared that I will hang onto him for too long. I watched my parents wait too long to say goodbye to their pets over the years. I don’t want my boy to suffer like that.

He’s still in great spirits. He’s eating, drinking, using the litter box properly. He’s definitely slowed down, and he keeps losing weight. But my vet doesn’t seem urgently concerned yet.

I’m just looking for stories from people who experienced a similar situation. Or stories from people who experienced having to make the call for an elderly cat in general. How do you know when it’s time to say goodbye?