Do cats know when they will die and do they show it in some way?

Answer 1

It all depends. All animals, including humans, may know when their time is almost up is they are sick, tired, sluggish, or feel different.
My family had two cats for more than 10 years when the female died and afterwards it was almost like the male was dying from a broken heart, he was depressed and not his normal self. He died about three months later, and we could tell that he was going soon.

Answer 2

Alright, call me crazy, but I've had MANY cats in my lifetime so I've had LOADS of experience.

It's weird, but it was ME who knew when my animals were going to die. I'd always just be petting them, or something or other when I'd look at them and just a thought would come to my mind. Sometimes it was a question (How long before my cat dies?). Sometimes it was an answer (My cat is going to die).

Sad, yes. Crazy, yes; but I've had it happen SO many times, and a few days later that animal would be dead.

Then of course there's the signs mentioned. Sickly, or overly energetic animal behavior. Wandering, loss of appetite...All such "symptoms."

But don't give up when you see this kind of thing. I had a cat that just got in a fight, and was just in shock. I thought it was going to die, but he was fine the next day. Shock is usually the killing factor, depending on the death. It's important to comfort the animal, and make it feel safe if shock may be the problem. My cat that was just in a fight, it was acting tired, and even pooped on itself due to shock. Watch for that kind of thing, and maybe read up on it.

Answer 3

Cats who are very sick definetly know that they are close to dying. They will usually go into a corner someplace and make themselves comfortable, roll up into a ball and stay away from their humans. The one thing that you will notice mostly is that they will be purring constantly, it is a way they have of calming themselves down. Also, cats as they get very sick get very dehydrated and have a tendency to head back and forth to the water bowl, and then they will not make it to the litterbox but will sort of lose sight of where they are and may end up peeing someplace they normally would not go, even if they are the best trained cat.

Answer 4

I had a small, gray female who appeare to be mentally "slow"- she layed down on her favoeite blanket which happened to belong to HER favorite boy child and didnt wake up- no signs of distress, nothing! We found her with her mother cat and everything appeared kosher with the other female, (her mother) until we buried her. The mother cat became lethargic, depressive, sleeping all the time, mean to the other cats, not eating, etc. The cat that died never showed any true signs of distress but slept in a place where she wouldnt normally be found so I always wondered if she knew it was her time?!

Answer 5

I just had a cat pass away. She was never a "normal" cat (she had neurological damage due to having her spayed). She acted like she wanted to just give up on life until we got a kitten. Unfortunately, the two only got to spend two years together when the kitten tragically died. Only about four months later, my disabled cat also passed away. She showed the same signs after the kitten died, as she did before we got the kitten. She just gave up on life. When it got closer to her death, she cried out a lot, almost like she was in pain. Then, one afternoon, I just found her dead. It was a very hard time for me. I miss them both so very much.

Answer 6

The day before, they will do something very odd, such as showing and unusual bout of energy. They may wander off to look for a final resting place. The day they die, they may be very listless, such as being incredibly lazy or not showing any interest in their food.

Answer 7

The two cats I have had to have put down didn't fight the vets when it was time and when I looked at them I knew it was the kindest thing to do for them and the last cat I had put down I was with him so maybe he knew he was going to go but at least he knew he wasn't alone he knew he was with someone who cared about him and what more can you ask for then that.

Answer 8

Sometimes they do- usually they will try and find a secluded area to go where no one will bother them.
Ine cat I had hid in my closet to die (the cats were not allowed in my bedroom and I still don't know how she got in).

Answer 9

yes... they get depressed, become lethargic and they will have this sunken look in their eyes... then they go look for a quiet place to curl up and die. If left to themselves and allowed access to the outdoors, most cats who are dying will leave the "den" to find an out-of-the-way, quiet, lonely place to die.

Answer 10

my grandma lives on a big property in Southern Utah and anytime her cats are sick enough for her to worry, it seems they go to a remote place to die. She would always find them under abandoned cars or her barn, funny spots a little ways away from her house.