Is it Wise to Leave a Terminally Ill Cat with a Pet Sitter?
Pet owners know that the day will one day arrive when Fluffy is no longer with them. The death of a cherished cat is heartbreaking and can leave cat owners devastated at their loss. Preparing for the inevitable is one thing, but when you are aware of a terminally ill disease that will soon claim the life of Fluffy, should you leave your cat with a pet sitter?
Taking a Break Can Help Prepare Owners
Caring for a terminally ill cat round the clock can be exhausting for pet owners and sap them of much-needed energy as the cat nears the end of its life. Taking a break can actually prepare owners for their loss by helping them regain vital energy and lost sleep. They will need extra energy to build up the required strength to take the cat to the vet's to be euthanized when the time comes, or to offer palliative care to ease the cat's pain and discomfort.
Is the Pet Sitter Prepared For an Emergency?
Pet sitters deal with a range of situations each time they walk into a client's home. With each pet sitting job I took on, I knew that I would be experiencing a whole new adventure, as no two pets are alike, even if they are from the same litter. It was exciting to walk into a new job and not know exactly what I was letting myself in for; as I wanted to form my own opinion about each pet I would be caring for in the owner's absence.
However, if you will be leaving your cat for the weekend have you explained the situation with the pet sitter so that they understand what is expected of them? It is important to be completely upfront and honest with your pet sitter so that they have the opportunity to turn down the job if they feel uncomfortable with the idea of caring for a terminally ill cat. If your pet sitter agrees to care for your cat, make absolutely sure that they are fully prepared for an emergency. Provide contact numbers where you can be reached at short notice, along with the vet's number and a detailed list of instructions in case the cat dies in their care.
What Happens If the Cat Dies in Your Absence?
Cat owners should seriously consider how they would feel if they left their terminally ill cat in a pet sitter's care, only to receive the dreaded phone call telling them that Fluffy has died. Even though facing up to a cat's terminal illness is a harrowing experience, many pet owners want to be by their pet's side when the cat eventually passes away so that they can say a final goodbye to their beloved furry friend.
Consider your options and how quickly you can return home if you opt to leave your cat with a pet sitter. If you cannot face the prospect of learning about your cat's death over the phone as you are hundreds of miles away, stay closer to home so that you can be on hand to quickly take over if the worst happens.
If you own a terminally ill cat, you may feel as if your whole life has been placed on hold as the cat's health begins to decline. It is only natural that you would want a break away from it all. But if you choose to leave your terminally ill cat with a pet sitter, you should carefully consider your options so that you are not left with any regrets when you return home.
More from this contributor:
A Pet Sitter's Guide to Medicating a Stubborn Cat.
Published by Sophie Spyrou
Sophie has been writing for the Yahoo! Contributor Network since 13th May 2007. She used her previous status as a Featured Contributor (Travel, then Pets) to share her personal knowledge about the UK culture... View profile
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