I suggest the following:
1) Ask your vets if you can change your kitty's meds into transdermal gel. Methymazole (for hyper-T) ear gel is proven to be effective (my kitty has been on it for over 2 yrs). Pain killer Buprenephine also has ear gel. This would save the kitty the stress of having pills pushed down his throat. Ear gels also has less negative impact on his GI system.
2) Try brining food to him, hold the dish, let him lick.
3) Use sub-q to improve hydration. Use Purina hydracare. It's liquid food and easy to lick up.
4) Try acupuncture for his arthritis.
5) If you're so inclined, speak to a reputable animal communicator.
My vet says as long as the kitty is not in unmanageable pain and is not miserable, it's ok they sleep away most of their time peacefully.
Aging people don't behave like adolescents. We don't put them to sleep just because they slow down.
