Unfortunately, cats have short lives. When they are close to their death, they follow the same patterns their ancestors once did and remove themselves from attention to rest peacefully. Cats look for a secluded place when they feel the end is near.
There’s no clear-cut explanation as to why cats (and other animals) look for a secluded, hidden place to be during their final moments. There’s no specific place where cats go, but it must be someplace dark, comfortable, and away from any other living being.
We can probably guess this doesn’t happen out of fear or desperation but simply because they want to be alone and rest. The little energy they have left, they want to spend it waiting for what’s to come and not being bothered by anyone else.
Did my cat leave when it was about to die because of me?
Cats leave for a secluded place for themselves. If your cat went to hide before dying, there’s absolutely no reason to think it was because of you. In fact, your cat might’ve left to help you avoid the pain of experiencing what was about to happen.
Grieving is a tough job to do, especially if you end up with no answer to your questions. If your pet left to die and you don’t know why, it’s safe to say it was not because of you.
Most cats do this when the end is close. Their ancestors (other domesticated and wild cats) act the same way.
Cats remove themselves from the group when their time is up. It simply happens. And you had nothing to do with it.
What can I do to help my cat when it’s about to die?
If you notice something is wrong with your cat, you should take it to the vet. Your vet will be able to soothe the pain your cat is feeling and help it with any other issues it might have. You should focus on spending whatever time there’s left with the cat.
You should give your cat toys, treats, and pets. Make the most out of it, no matter how hard it is for you. When everything is over, you’ll be more than glad that you did. And your cat will be thankful for what you did.
What should I do after my cat dies?
You should allow yourself some time to grieve. When you feel like you can, pack your cat’s toys and belongings to donate them to a shelter or to someone who is about to adopt a cat. Take your time with it – and always keep the memory of your beloved cat.
After your cat has finally passed, reach out to your vet to learn about what you should (and can) do with the remains. State laws and regulations vary from place to place. You’ll have different options depending on whether you want to bury, cremate, or deal with the issue in any other way.
Sometime in the future, you might want to adopt another cat. You can also think about volunteering in a shelter to be close to other pets without having to bring one home just yet. When the time is right, you’ll know what to do.