Pippa, our great survivor mother cat, is 84.
I always thought multiplying a cat’s age by seven gave you an approximation of their equivalent human age.
Not according to a flyer Meredith picked up at our local veterinary surgery.
Assume that a 1-year-old cat is equal to a 15-year-old human and a 2-year-old cat is equal to a 24-year-old human. Then add four years for every year after that.
She is 17 years old which works out to 84 if you follow the formula above.
Pippa has outlived her offspring by some time–[see posts to Marmalade and Butterscotch (Little mother).]
But she has been a worry lately.
Spending most of the summer outdoors–even the nights.
This is a cat that’s a homebody.
She sleeps on the bed.
She’s there when you’re feeling sick and stays–keeping vigil.
Pippa rules, has ruled–she’s a Queen of cats.
The table top is her throne room or at least the higher ground [window sill above] when other lesser cats are present.
Tolerant but not a push-over–she’ll show her disapproval and walk away.
(She has an aversion to singing–she’ll leave the room.)
The other morning she wasn’t to be found and Meredith started thinking the worst.
Cats, we have learned, start distancing themselves “when the time comes”.
We worry about knowing when the time has come.
Our friend Theresa, who has some experience of this (her cat Billy lived to a great age), helpfully suggested that if Pippa had an appetite for food, it was not yet the time.
Pippa still likes to eat, though she feels like a bag of bones when we stroke her.
Meredith has persuaded her that indoors is better now that autumn is here and the nights are cold and the mornings frosty.
She even bought some cat-warming comforters to relax an old body into sleep and Pippa has shown her appreciation by using them.
Thin she may be but it’s not over yet–the door’s still open.
I’m always a believer that if a cats eating they’re ok, the appetite is always the first thing to go if anythings wrong. I have had many cats over the years some living to a great age, some not so lucky. I still have 5 cats, the oldest like yours is now over 18 years but still in good health, getting thin but still eating. I had to have her half sister put to sleep earlier this year, which was heartbreaking, she just stopped eating and the vet had said her kidneys had stopped working, this is a common cause in cats. I hope you still have many years with Pippa.
Just remember cats choose us!!
Thanks, Maureen.
It’s so difficult to know…we have such a reluctance to make the decision,to part so finally from beloved animals that have given so much during their lives. Your instincts and your love for Pippa will tell you when the time comes and then you can give her no greater gift than being with her and holding her when her eyes close.
We have lost three of ours during the last year..it is so hard but a comfort to know that while they were here they couldn’t have been more loved and cherished. Your cats are lucky to have you and Meredith.xx
One of my kitties is 19 in human years. She was always a tubby cat but has become very thin in recent years. She has a sanctuary under the bathroom sink. A cat bed pillow and some very old towels make it very comfy. I worry about her “time” too. But she loves to eat, drink and be loved. She doesn’t seem to be in pain, although she does move a lot slower now that she is older.
Aww that is a beautiful story. May you have many more years left yet Pippa. I have 3 ginger cats. Rita the mum, Ragnar and Tristan her sons. Tris is only 9weeks old. 😻xxxx
Dear Robin: My kitty Winston lived to be 20. We watched those last couple of years for “the time” – even though he was a bag of bones and moved slowly, he had things to do. I recall a cat person telling me that as kitties age, they need more food because they don’t absorb as much of the nutrients. So we fed him a little bit every time he walked into the kitchen. And although it’s not great for kitties, he loved whipped cream and we thought the extra calories helpful – he would be pretty indignant if he did not get his morning dollop. They bring so much to our lives. Enjoy your critters.
Thanks Lori, similar fare is on the menu here.
She’s beautiful X
Long may Pippa go on. She looks a beautiful cat. Please give her a stroke from me. xxx
Will do, Hilary.
Hope for our cat, Einstein yet. Have to say though Robin, that final shot looks almost as if she’s looking through the doorway to cat Heaven! The light and the symbolic pathway…
If shes still eating, drinking and moving around without obvious pain or discomfort, she may have a while yet 🙂 ….lots of pampering, fine food, tasty tidbits and cuddles and you may be surprised how long she will go on for …… love and hugs xxxxxx
She gets first class service!
Pips is fortunate to have you both for loving “parents”. Our pets are family. 🍁🍂🐾🍃🍂🍁🎃🍂🍁🍃🐾🍂🍁🍃
Sent from my iPhone Barbara Boling
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Can you buy the special lactose free cat milk over there ? Or does your vet sell the high protein cat food that can be mixed with water and lapped up..both of these served our cats well when their appetites weren’t great.
I love how you love your girl, Robin. That was a sweet post.
Thanks, Chris and hello!
Hello Robin. She is beautiful and obviously a well loved friend. Victor Hugo penned some poignant lines in Les Misérables, “My coat and I live comfortably together. It has assumed all my wrinkles, does not hurt me anywhere, has molded itself on my deformaties, and is complacent to all my movements, and I only feel its presence because it keeps me warm. Old coats and old friends are the same thing.” Wishing you both many more years of warmth and friendship.
J’aime bien, ça.
My sisters cat is now 20 and very boney but he’s still doing ok ,he’s out lived a few of her dogs ,but we know there will come a time when he will cross that rainbow bridge ,like everyone we hope he goes in his sleep ,all we can do is make their twilight years comfortable,and give them loads of love .
Hug and love. All will be reunited someday.
We just lost our 84 yr old girl early in September….My youngest son, 19, does not remember life without her. She just stopped eating, and died one day. All the kids got to say goodbye, and tell her how beautiful she was. She hated the carrier, and when we moved, i promised her that she would never have to ride in it again, so putting her down was out of the question. She is buried out at my uncle Joe’s place with her nose pointed home.
I feel your pain. On September 17th we had to take our 17 year old tortie Lily to be put to sleep. The hardest thing we’ve ever had to do but she wanted to go and was sleeping away with advanced kidney disease.She was buried in our garden and we talk to her every day. Pippa will let you know when it’s time. It won’t make it any easier I know but at least you’ll have your memories and know that you loved her and did your best for her.
Long may Pippa reign!
She is truly the Queen of The Cats
🐱 👑
Sent from my iPhone
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Pippa is so lucky to have such loving care!
What a sweet, sad story… She is a lucky cat.
Beautiful post, Robin, and beautiful photos of your dear girl Pippa.
My cat Keska lived to be 21. By that time she had shrunk to half of what she weighed in her prime, but she still was active and had a good appetite. Like your friend Theresa, I figured that I would know the end was near when she stopped eating.
Eventually, that day came; she sort of collapsed near the food bowl and didn’t eat anything. This happened on a Sunday, and the vet who loved and cared for her wouldn’t be available until Tuesday, so on the advice of my favorite vet tech, I fed her “tuna water” (the water drained from a can of tuna) to keep her going until then. (It provides hydration and electrolytes, and even cats who can no longer eat generally find it irresistible.)
She spent her last day curled up in her little bed. The night before our vet appointment, I gave her a hands-on Reiki treatment, kissed her and told her it was OK to go and that I would be OK. When I woke up in the morning, she had passed, quietly and comfortably in her own bed. What a blessing!
I wish you, Meredith and Pippa some more happy and peaceful days together.
Thank you for this touching story, Nancy.
I love cats too. I lost my orange-and-white Eddie at age 20 a few years ago. Ironically, the time came for me to help him out of his long illness on the day I was doing a storytelling concert to raise money for a humane society! It sounds like you are doing every loving thing you can do for your girl Pippa. Hopefully she’ll be granted some more time with you. Peace, Andrea Squires
Greetings from Penzance – I loved hearing about Pippa and how much you both love and care for her – the open door picture would make a good book cover…
You will know when it’s time. When she is no longer interested in food, she is starting her journey to the other side. I pray you will not let her linger, but send her on her with with gentle words and tender touches. She will never really be gone, you know. She will be lying in every beam of sunlight and always be there to greet you, whether you can see her or not. ((HUG!))
Goodness, working on that formula my little Cassie was 85 when we lost her to ill health. She was my baby. Unfortunately we couldn’t bring her home after her demise because we have a Jack Russell that at that time liked to dig in the garden. He found the two hamsters and the gerbils the boys buried!!!
Ah Pippa! Like my Loosey and so many before her! As a retired hospice nurse, I see the similarities… A cardinal sign is the cessation of eating. The body knows! Nature takes its course. Pippa will do what Pippa will do and she is so fortunate to have such a good home and support. See her out when she is ready and know you’ve done right by her.
Loosey is changing in front of us..her routines have changed! Eating less, a bit more picky.
What a beautiful cat Pippa is. It’s heartbreaking. We have decided that it’s time for our 18 year old cat Holly. We are taking her to the vets on Monday. I don’t know how I will cope without my little shadow. 😥
Pippa’s a beauty, Robin. I’m in the same boat with a much beloved “84-year-old” one, as well. Having had many kitties over the years, I do many of the things your readers who’ve commented suggest – just paying special attention and trying to keep her happy. When I thought she was perilously close to the end recently, I nursed her through what turned out to be a cold, and she is much improved. She’s thin, but, fortunately, she still has an appetite. She especially loves chicken broth (home made, of course) and while it’s certainly a treat, I think it’s as much a remedy for kitties as for humans. I’m sure it helped pull her through this last episode, so I’m going with it. Hoping for the best for the lovely Pippa.
Thanks, Leslie.
A lovely story about Pippa and other kitties in answers. Love Marmalade kitties.
It’s often the kidneys that start to fail. We extended the life of our cat (comfortably) for a year or so by making sure he got plenty of water. We added some to his food. Best wishes with her. Until I had to make that hard decision for my first cat I had no idea what a heartbreak it would be.
It’s sad to know your old friend is coming to her end, but she has had a wonderful life where she has been much loved.
It’s unusual to have an orange female, most seem to be males.
I live on a farm and have 12 cats, 6 dogs and many horses (and a giant vet bill). Each one must go when it’s time, as do humans. My oldest horse is 40 in December, on borrowed time now.
I hope you can give a home to another cat when the time comes, there are so many out there. Best wishes.
My brother Huxley has been sick – his liver was failing. Last weekend he stopped eating and drinking. Mom and dad had the difficult decision of putting him down. It wasn’t really their decision. He gave them lots of clues that it was time. Huxley had 16 great years and lots of memories. We’ll miss him greatly.
“The Time” for our 15 year old orange tabby came August 29. All summer I watched and waited, knowing the sad moment was in the not too distant future. Somehow you will one day just know..but until then cherish every moment with your beautiful Pippa.
Hello Robin
What a very touching story about dear Pippa. She is gorgeous and looks very astute yet gracious.
Only two weeks ago my brother had been given a very grim diagnosis for his similarly aged companion Suzy. However with his tender care she has rallied and albeit very thin, has a wee spring in her step and is enjoying sunning herself and lapping up specially made gravy meals. He has built a special bookcase/staircase for her where each level has a landing with a cushion and it’s angled for maximum sun and snoozing. His devotion is sublime.
Our two, Poppy & Jazz, are younger and give us so much pleasure – Jazz loves watching sport on TV. (Dare I say he enjoyed this morning’s Rugby World Cup Quarter Final between the All Blacks and France!)
Wishing you and Meredith many more special times with dear Pippa.
Lovely, Lana.
Cats break your heart when their time comes. I lost 2 old cats late last year. They’d been there for me for 17 years. Their characters leave a mark on your soul.
Darling Pippa! They are so organized and efficient when their time comes to cross over (or “change addresses” as I like to put it). When it is right they will refuse even their favorite treats, fluids, and often want to be private, just like humans in hospice. Let them take their leave with dignity if they’re not in pain or in need of more medical attention. It is much harder for those left behind if we have to take them to our vet for assistance in helping them die. They are ready to go, but we who love them so are never ready to let them leave! Blessings!
Thanks for this, Rosemary.
Meredith & Robin what a lovely post, your beautiful Pippa curled up so cosy in her basket, and sat looking directly at you then through the open door.She is a wise and caring lady, you have loved and cared for her, she will remember this
and her is right she will gently let know.Please give your darling. ginger and clever pus a cuddle form me . Till then enjoy every moment of her, it is what she will want.
We will Elaine–thank you from us and from her!
Robin I have missed some word from my post I ment to put ” and when her time is right she will gently let you know” sorry.
I’m not a cat person — I know, how could anybody who loves to sew, read and wears granny glasses NOT be a cat person? But allergies….. Alas… However, your sweet photos and beautiful tribute made me cry. Those are some lucky felines to be living in that world with you!
All the best,
Nancy N from NY
Robin what a beautiful cat pippa is .I know how much you love her as I have a tortoise cat who is my pride and joy. The pleasure and love they give makes our lives much richer. Long may she continue to do so.Please give her a big squishy hug for me.
.
A fine and golden little queen! The photographs are exquisite; I particularly love the one of her gazing out the door at her realm….
What a beautiful cat Pippa is. I have now worked out from your calculation that our “stray” that we found many years ago, Daisy, is in fact 104. Like Pippa she sleeps a lot and is very vocal now(possibly due to some deafness) but she can still dart up the stairs when the fancy takes her. (normally after she has made a deposit in the litter box!!). Like you we often wonder how much longer she will be on this earth but try and give her as much attention as she wants. Hope Pippa has many years to come after a rocky start like Daisy. Sue Luxford,
Pippa is forever beautiful,and the love and care that you and Meredith share with her shows in her eyes.
There’s an expression here(Elenor Roosevelt,I think) that says it all: Every Day Is A Gift and That’s Why It’s Called The Present.
This has really helped me when one of our aging babies(with paws) is battling issues with an outcome I really struggle to deal with.
That Pippa isn’t fond of singing,I don’t know if she would enjoy this but there was an article in today’s Washington Post(“Music for Cats?” )about a man who successfully recorded an album especially for cats and their two legged parents.
He has created melodies to mimic the opening and closing of kitties’ vocal chords to their preferred vocal range( two octaves higher than humans).
I haven’t heard of this before,nor have I heard the album,but I will consider anything which gives pleasure to our little ones .
Please give Pippa many hugs from us.
I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. She is very lucky to be loved and cared for by two wonderful humans. Blessings.
It’s good you love your animals whatever age they are. Our last cat lived till she was 18…
Lovely photos. The second one reminded me a painting by Helen Allingham — called Coming Events. Google for it and you’ll see the parallel. I’m not sure that age formula works: cats like all species live out the rhythms of their own catness. At 7 years my cats are not like a 50 year old. But they do have shorter life spans than us. She does look like she’s still hanging in there: taking an interest in life, looking about her, enjoying the sun and light and sleep too. Let’s hope she has yet more time to enjoy her life with you and Meredith — for cats love to be loved and to love in return — for a while to come yet.
The story about your cat Pippa was wonderful. I have had cats all my life.
One story I remember concerned my black cat, Blackie. One day she came up missing. Blackie was not a young cat. She was 15 years old. I searched and searched for her. I rattled my keys that she always responded to. Sadly, I gave up the search thinking she had gone off to die. At that time, my daughter and I were preparing to move in a few weeks.
A couple of weeks passed by and we were ready to move along with our other cats. As I walked home from work one day, I was rattling my keys. I turned to go to my apartment and I heard a raspy meow. I turned to see a scrawny black cat coming towards me. I said, “You’ve had it rough…” then I saw the red collar. “Blackie?” The cat made its way towards me meowing sadly. I picked up Blackie. Her claws were down to nubs. I took her into the house and my daughter, Meredith, began crying. Our black cat was back right before we moved.
I took Blackie to the vet the next day and was told by the state of her nails someone had kept her confined and she must have escaped. “This old girl just wanted to get home.” The vet told me. “She is dehydrated but in great shape for an older cat.”
Well, we moved and Blackie enjoyed the new house. She died at 19 but it was in the comfort of our home which she got to experience.
Hi Robin. Our cat, Oliver looks a lot like your Pippa. He is about 15 and diabetic. He also had some seizures a while back. But, he purrs, eats and loves us and we love him. We hope Pippa is happy (as I’m sure she is!) and that she stays a bit longer.
Robin and Meredith, Pippa may have hyperthyroidism; lots of older cats get it when they eat a lot but seem to be skinny. Try to ensure that her bed is very comfortable (for old bones) and off the floor out of the way of draughts. If she has a litter tray make sure the sides are low because if she has arthritis she may not be able to lift her legs high enough to get into the tray. My 20 year old would leave a wee or a poo next to his tray on newspaper; I didn’t realise he couldn’t lift his legs up over the side of the tray 😦 And just keep telling her how much she is loved. I also told my 20 year old (Garfield) that he’d have to tell me when he wanted to leave because I knew I couldn’t make that decision. He did tell me and he’s at peace now, having beaten diabetes, various strokes, almost blind in one eye (another cat alerted me by walking alongside Garfield and guiding him along); he lived to 20 and 3 months. I miss him still.
Just found your story on dear Pippa. I sympathize with you. How we worry when they get older! I started “the watch” when our little Tara turned 15; but she surprised me and lived a good life until cancer took her at 18 1/2. Now our Sassy is 17, very demanding, and Queen of the house. I “watch” all the time. She, too, has had a few setbacks, but thankfully, nothing serious.
Sassy is a little grumpy when Scamper gets rambunctious or crowds her at dinnertime. On cold days, she climbs the stairs more slowly (though other times she races up like a kitten!) She has always meowed loudly after using the litter box, but never actually seemed to be in pain when going. After a hairball blockage a month ago, though, her stools were a little hard and dry–very common with older cats. So I mentioned this and the meowing again, and the vet suggested we try a little Miralax to make things pass more easily. (Yes, the same stuff that people use!) Just barely 1/8 teaspoon dissolved with a little water & mixed in her wet food once a day. It seems to have helped. Just don’t use it at the same time as a greasy Hairball Remedy.
It pays to watch for any changes in how much Pippa eats & drinks, and changes in bathroom habits. Putting extra water in the food can help aging kidneys, but something simple like a bad hairball, a sore tooth, or bad gums may cause some weight loss. (Rule those out with a vet.) Going off by herself may be more of a sign of needing a respite from the other cats, or simply seeking a sunnier spot to warm her achy bones. She may also appreciate a lower-sided litter box or a more convenient one, closer to her sleeping area.
As you and Meredith noticed, extra pampering is nice as we get older–for all of us! I’m sure Pippa appreciates the extra time and love you are both giving her. She’ll keep you tuned in to how things are going. Give her some extra hugs & kisses from all of us…and here’s sending a few for you both, too. Hang in there.
Gene & Dianne
They always say ” Cats come home to die” Ive seen that on a few occasions,Having been brought up on a Farm.You two have done yer bit, let nature take its course. We will always love them unconditionally, God knows our hearts. regards maurice Glasgow.
She is absolutely gorgeous good on you Robin keep up the good work
What a dear sweet cat. And how clever of you cat lovers to have a tile floor. Whenever my cat Spooky feels unwell, which is often these days, he loves to run to the rugs to deposit whatever nasty thing is on his mind. The heavy fringe on the Chinese rugs is his favorite alternate litter box. Sigh. So difficult to clean. What price love? No price too high. A friend’s carpet cleaner said his entire house has tile flooring. There’s only one small rug by the door. His cat hightails it to that postage-stamp-sized rug whenever something is coming up. I guess they think rugs = grass. At any rate, I hope Pippa is thriving and maintaining her dignity – she certainly looks well-fed. (And in your house, how can it be otherwise?) Last night to my horror I found a pungent brown mound on my bed! At 4:00 a.m.! Spooky looked pleased as punch. Because he is a senile fellow – and now I know how old he really is. But I remain his loyal love-slave. Like others, vet told me to wait for doomsday til he stops eating. Thanks for the interesting information on cat years – and best wishes for Pippa. I know the waiting and watching is a nail-biter.
P.S. I just made the red lentil/Brussel sprout dish you posted – had to use cabbage because no sprouts around – oh boy. So good !! (Pardon the talk of food after above-referenced unmentionables.)
There certainly is a grand community of cat lovers. I am also the owner of numerous rescue forever cats. I know you and Meredith will know the right time. It just aches so much leading up to the inevitable. Best to you all, two legged and four legged soul. Sheila
My beautiful black cat Licorice that was a housewarming gift to us. Lived to be the ripe old age of 15. It seems like a lot of us do have and love out fur children. I have her with me still. It sounds like you and your wife loved your cat greatly.