Do cats go off to die?

[cslgirl]

My old cat wasn't waiting (as usual) for his breakfast this morning. He is about 18/19 and is blind - a bit deaf and in the last week or so, has become quite frail. I noticed his back legs seemed to be weaker than usual a day ago and where he had gone to the toilet, he had mess around his backside and legs which I cleaned up as best I could but he was still eating no problem.

I do keep him inside but he wanted to go out last night so let him out but then he hasn't come home since. I have scouted round the garden this morning (as he didn't go far) and poked about the undergrowth but haven't found him. Next step will be to leaflet the neighbours but as he didn't ever go far as he couldn't see, I am wondering if its true that cats do go off to die?

After having him since 1992 it will be heartbreaking not knowing what has happened to him.

[XMES RUS]

Sorry to hear that but if you do find him it sounds like you should consider putting him to rest.
Good luck.

[C8PPO]

Sorry to say that my understanding is that yes, they do.

Hope you find him.

[Sheets Tabuer]

No they do not go off to die, they go on their holidays.

My cat of 20 years got up and went off for his holidays one day about 8 years ago and I won't have anyone saying anything else.

[Poledriver]

[cat lover's answer] Unfortunately, some cats will do this, it's happened to 3 of mine in the past. I hope that this isn't the case for your poor moggie but it sounds like he's had a really good innings! [/cat lover's answer]

[Normal PH reply] No, they usually go off after they die![/Normal PH reply]

HTH

[GregE240]

I had to go looking for one of mine and she had passed away in her sleep in the shrubs at the end of the garden. Bless her.

[zippy500]

They do this apparently. May be worth looking under all bushes near your pad as I doubt moggie went far judging by what you have said on it's health. May have just been lazing in the morning sunshine, you never know. Fingers crossed

Edited by zippy500 on Tuesday 28th April 12:57

[ali_kat]

They will go and find somewhere they are happy and comfortable to lie down and have a nap, then will drift off contentedly

[jamieboy]

I think so.

Years ago, one of our cats disappeared from the farm* after about 6 years or so. Turned out it had gone to live at the next farm, and seemed perfectly happy. We never saw it again for about another four years, when it came back. And died a day or two later.


* this isn't code - I lived on a farm, and we had a load of cats. As well as cows, not instead of.

[Famous Graham]

ali_kat said:

They will go and find somewhere they are happy and comfortable to lie down and have a nap, then will drift off contentedly

Wonder if I can do that in the pub in 40 years...

[cslgirl]

Thanks for your replies and kind words. I am still hoping he may turn up later today but he wasn't really himself the last day or so. I will have to search in the overgrown flower beds a bit more when I get home from work just in case he is there somewhere. No point calling out for him though as he wouldn't hear me lol.

A holiday!! I like that - maybe he has gone to Cataventura for a break!

Will keep you posted!

[BoRED S2upid]

Either that or hes got lost what with him being blind. Probably about time you think about doing the right thing if you do find him alive.

[LovelyTia]

This is something they do. I remember when I was younger next doors cat (who was at least 15) disappeared (was AWOL for a few weeks before she was found) and she was out a lot looking for her cat.
Around this time my very old rabbit disappeared and managed to get under the house (Rabbits do the same thing as cats, disappear to die if possible) Well we found the hole and the most horrendous smell coming from it, turns out that behind my rabbit, Rosie, was next doors moggy in a nasty stage of decomp. Rosie had been digging that hole for a while.

I had nightmares for weeks.

[cslgirl]

BoRED S2upid said:

Either that or hes got lost what with him being blind. Probably about time you think about doing the right thing if you do find him alive.

This is true although he got along fine being blind - which has been for the last year and which was caused from high blood pressure.

I was starting to wonder if that time was approaching when I saw his legs were weak and he had messed himself. If he does come back then I will have to consider that. I would rather he be with me when it happened than on his own.

[PD9]

Yes they do, much like fish (dolphins, whale etc) they beach themselves. Sounds as if he had a content life.

[DBSV8]

cant get over the bond between our Dog and cat , I am not a cat fan .....however having rescued Garfield as a kitten ....found left to die in -35c temperatures ( Russia )
now become part of the family , There are a lot of teritorial cats in our area....most of the bstds are paid up members of Spetnaz ..they would regulary fight poor old garfield ...when he ventured into the garden

well not any more .....Bonza our Ovcharka ( Dog ) has taken him under his wing ...they are inseporable ...eat from the same bowl sleep together ,and other cats do not come any where near the garden when Bonza is out hes massive at 90kg !!.

suppose he sees Garfield as a type of sheep ??? something to protect.

[monthefish]

Poledriver said:

{cat lover's answer} Unfortunately, some cats will do this, it's happened to 3 of mine in the past. I hope that this isn't the case for your poor moggie but it sounds like he's had a really good innings! [/cat lover's answer]

[Normal PH reply] No, they usually go off after they die![/Normal PH reply]

HTH

and for covering all bases.


Except...

Sheets Tabuer said:

No they do not go off to die, they go on their holidays.

My cat of 20 years got up and went off for his holidays one day about 8 years ago and I won't have anyone saying anything else.

This is what mine did. Went off to live on a farm somewhere...

Edited by monthefish on Tuesday 28th April 13:21

[Oakey]

So all those 'LOST CAT' posters, their owners just don't have a clue?

[mrmaggit]

LovelyTia said:

This is something they do. I remember when I was younger next doors cat (who was at least 15) disappeared (was AWOL for a few weeks before she was found) and she was out a lot looking for her cat.
Around this time my very old rabbit disappeared and managed to get under the house (Rabbits do the same thing as cats, disappear to die if possible) Well we found the hole and the most horrendous smell coming from it, turns out that behind my rabbit, Rosie, was next doors moggy in a nasty stage of decomp. Rosie had been digging that hole for a while.

I had nightmares for weeks.

Our old silver fox rabbit we think did this, but without the cat for company. We never did find him, but as he could have dug his way out of the garden at any time in the previous 12 years (yes, 12!), we think he dug a hole under the hedge and went in to die.

[Jasandjules]

Oakey said:

So all those 'LOST CAT' posters, their owners just don't have a clue?

Well, if it's a kitten or a few years old then it's possible they've gone off for a stroll etc.. BUT if the cat is say 16 years old or above then it's a different matter.

Sounds like your cat had a good innings so if he has gone off somewhere for a long rest, you know that he had the best life you could have given him, and he went happy.