do cats go off to die alone??

Answer 1

That's what I keep hearing, but I've never known it to be true in my case. I knew my 16 year old cat was dying of kidney failure and only had a few days. I wouldn't let him out for fear that he would run away and die.

After he died, I looked at pictures of him how happy he was outside. I felt so bad for not giving him that happiness before he died. A few years later I had another cat dying of the same thing. I decided that I would not deprive him of the outdoors and sunshine. He'd go out for a few hours and ready to come back in. He died in my arms a few weeks later.

Since that time, I've had many cats die and they have all come to me and died in my arms. I live in the country and there was a stray cat around that someone dumped off and he wouldn't let me get near him. One day he came running to me covered in ticks. He let me pull them all off and stayed on my front porch. I realized that he was sick from something that is called cytauxzoan, a disease cats get from a tick bite that is uncureable.

I fed him and loved him for the few weeks he was around. One day I came home and found him on his deathbed. I held him for a few hours and carressed him and told him how much he was loved. It was the only thing that I could do. I tore me apart and this was a stray cat.

At least he had someone and knew he was loved in the end. That's why I think my cats come to me to die. I think if they are truly loved they would rather be with you than to run off and die alone.

Answer 2

I had a cat that was 20 years old and perfectly healthy his whole life. He was an indoor/outdoor cat, but in his later years he didnt go out as muhc. Then one day he was meowing so loud and long to go outside (usually didnt) plus it was raining so I didnt want to let him out.
But he would not stop, so I finally let him go out. He didnt come back and we searched for him forever!
They vet said he probably knew it was his time and sometimes cats dont want thier owners to find them dead, so they leave to die alone in a secret place.
Its so sad, but I guess its kind of peaceful in a way. He had a good life and was the sweetest cat ever. I miss him, my Twinkie.

PS. I think people should watch what they say - My cat WAS truly loved and loved me more than anything. I think it is just nature that makes some cats "run off to die alone".

Answer 3

My experience has been with older cats. I have found that if you and your cat have a close bond which includes for example, when you sit in a certain chair, that is their cue to "hop aboard" and simply enjoy sitting on you. Or when you go to bed they quickly follow behind, (if not waiting there for you when you turn on the light;) these types of close relationships with consistent patterns or/ routines will be where your dying cat will want to be, where they feel comfort and safety. On the other hand, where one might have a pet that is just as happy having many spots of their own that they frequent in order to get away from noise and the everyday goings on, that is the place that they will seek out. Remember they are not hiding from you they are hiding from their "sickness." If you are a constant in their life, they will seek you out. If they spend much time alone, they will go to one of their favorite spots:) Hope this helps,

Answer 4

All mammals (including us humans) naturallly try to find a peaceful place to spend their last moments. We, as humans, will seek out a place that is comfortable and that makes us feel secure, when we know our time is coming. Usually we will have our loved ones around us because we request it or because they will come to us. Mammals that we keep as pets are exactlly the same except that they often do not know their blood family (because they are separated from them and come to live with us as pets) and therefore they die alone. They will instinctively know when their time has come (as we all will) and they will seek out a place that is peaceful and in which they feel safe.

Answer 5

Some do. I have known _indoor_ cats who, with their fatal illness, managed to slip outdoors and -- disappeared! Others, too ill to disappear, wait until I left the room to die. And yet I have had some who let me hold their paw and sing to them as they crossed the Rainbow Bridge. So, I would have to say, cats are much like humans -- individuals have their differences.

Answer 6

yeah., they do do that. The cats I've had have done that in the past when they've passed away. Very sad. I had a kitten who was dying....and he did that. he was only a few months old. He kept hiding under my bed. he eventually died of respiratory failure. but he didnt die alone, he died in my arms............though, i dont think it comforted him. he was really scared, i could tell. this happened three years ago and i still cry and cry thinking about it.

Answer 7

I think my cat went to die I haven't seen him in more than a month he used to come home every day and then slowly he stopped coming and eventually he stopped altogether..I think he is dead :/

Answer 8

I found an almost perfectly intact cat skeleton tucked under a bush. I think it curled up and died in what it thought was a safe and peaceful place where it wouldn't be disturbed. And apparently it wasn't if its skeleton was all there. Poor little guy.

Answer 9

Some do and some die in their sleep.

Answer 10

I have heard this is possible. We actually found one under our shed. It wasn't stuck under there, or threatened by anything in our yard.