Do Cats Run Away To Die?

[frazerd]

Our old and very sick cat went out yesterday morning, having eaten very little for 3 days and has not returned since. I am of the opinion she had gone to seek protection from predators by hiding in undergrowth somewhere nearby.

It has left me wondering, will other wildlife (like foxes) eat her remains - does nature take care of things like this?

It would give me comfort to know this might happen, rather than her body remaining unfound.

[Mickiee]

We had an old ginger tom who just disappeared and was never found. We looked absolutely everywhere for him without success. We came to the same conclusion you have. Cats are very independent. Sorry you cannot say goodbye in the usual way. X

[ludwig]

I read that this is often the case frazerd. They will naturally wander off to die somewhere. As you say, nature will take care of the remains.

[Mike25]

My cat done the same thing, i thought he looked sick before he left that day and he never came back. We thought he got lost as it snowed that night but cats are quite smart.

[petal54]

we had a stray cat come in to our house to die,we took to vet to have him put to sleep

[viv38]

Is it only me who thinks that if your 'old and sick' cat hadn't eaten very much for three days, she should have been taken to the vets to be painlessly put to sleep instead of being allowed to wander away to die alone ?

[frazerd]

Thank you all for your responses, and for your virtual cuddleTriggerhappy.

We did find her after all, in our garden deep in some bushes out of sight. She looked like she died peacefully and of her own choice. My wife could not rest until she was found and her instincts told her our cat was nearby. So relieved we were able to say our goodbyes and have her cremated.

We didn't want to have her put down unless she was in pain or losing control of her functions. She was at the vet every week near the end. Her 2 sisters didn't have the choice - they both had cancer.

[boxtops]

Ah frazer - sad, but a good end to your searching. Puss died peacefully in her own time, by the sound of it. RIP after a long life, puss.

[Tilly2]

I'm sorry to hear about your cat, frazerd but I'm glad you found her and had the chance to say your goodbyes.