What should I do for my elderly cat?

[Mroo]

She is 17 years old, and I believe completely deaf, and completely blind. She has been an outside cat all her life (we found her as a stray after a hurricane and she did not like to be kept indoors). She has a box with a towel (we live in Florida so there is no danger of her being cold), fresh food and water everyday and she seems to know how to get around her immediate surroundings most of the time. The covered driveway where she stays in is surrounded by grass. After she went blind and deaf, which was just a couple months ago, she would still venture out into the grass to pee and poop and I would see her sometimes soaking in the sun.

But now I am worried because she seems to be staying very close to her box. She pees and poops about 10 feet away in the driveway. I'm worried because she is not going out in the grass anymore. Sometimes she meows and I cannot figure out what she wants. She has food and water and I'll pet her but then she'll drift away and try to come back. She is not very active but I guess that's because she is old. It's very hard and very sad to see her this way. But I do not want to euthanize her if she is adjusted to this way. Am I prolonging her suffering? Would it be better to euthanize her? Please give me advice. I have been thinking about this for weeks and I just cannot come to a conclusion by myself.

I cannot take her to the vet anymore because with three other dogs, it has gotten very expensive and I currently cannot afford it. I am sorry I cannot do more for her but at this point, I just do not know what to do. So please, from a distressed pet owner who loves her cat very much, what should I do?

[Jade59]

Mroo...if it's any help at all, I agree with Opus. You are a good pet parent to be in tune with your girl to notice the changes in her.  Kitty does sound like she is in pain, with her world becoming smaller and smaller.  

While letting go of our beloved pets is difficult, sad and painful, choosing to euthanize is our final act of love and kindness to them.  

I am so sorry.  Sending hugs and comfort~

[opus88]

That's a hard call, bless you for giving her the life she's wanted and made it comfortable for her. If she is howling and not venturing out to her usual elimination spots, I'm thinking she is failing rapidly and likely in a lot of pain....sudden blindness/deafness aren't usual either. The kindest thing to do for her right now is to euthanize in my opinion. Rest her dear soul, she's had a good life now needs some help to pass on...:(