Ask A Scientist© Veterinary Topics Archive

name Ryan
status other
grade other
location N/A

Question - I've been through your website and it seems very
interesting.I have a question to bring up which i am not really sure what
cat behaviuor will be like when they feel that their time is up.
Our cat has gone missing this week and has been like a member of the
family to us for 15 years now. He was looking not like himself lately and
it seemed that his old age cannot take it for much
longer. One evening after being at the table like he
usually does after every meal he vanished and never to be seen again. We 
walked
all over the neighbourhood as we might have tought he had ran
away, but i have heard the fact that cats might hide themselves when they
feel that their time is up. If this does occur is it usual that the cats' 
last
hiding place would be indoors where he has spent all his lifetime or does
he run away from the house for noone too see him anymore?
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Hi Ryan
I never heard of such behaviour of domestic cats, that
lived for 15 years close to a family. Usually they
become very attached and ask for help if they are sick
I mean I suppose you took good care of him taking to
vets and so on.
I am not speaking as a vet or a zoologist but someone
that is very fond of cats and has had dozens cats
during my life.
Sometimes at the end when they feel very bad they can
look for a quiet place to die. But when we notice
that take it to a good vet that usually
help us to have it free from suffrance.(Euthanize)
Maybe he is just in pain. If you find it
take your good companion to a vet, please.
Thanks for asking us

Mabel
(Dr. Mabel M. Rodrigues)
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