How cats die and why they leave home?

For any cat owner, losing a pet is among the most excruciating experiences. Cats frequently experience difficult-to-understand behavioral changes as they get older or become ill. When a cat nears the end of its life, one of the most puzzling and tragic parts of this is when it leaves home.

Cats are known for their independent nature, and this sometimes extends to how they face their final moments. Some cats, in their final days, instinctively withdraw from their owners and familiar surroundings, seeking a quiet place to pass away in peace. This behavior can be puzzling and upsetting for those who love them.

Comprehending the reasons behind cats’ actions can offer solace in such a trying moment. Despite the appearance that they are leaving their house, this is frequently a normal reaction to their circumstances rather than an indication of abuse or rejection. We can provide our pets with better care in their final days and help ourselves cope with their loss if we investigate the causes of this instinct.

Causes and characteristic symptoms of approaching death

Like all living things, domestic cats have a variety of factors that affect their lifespan and eventual demise. Natural aging, heredity, wounds, poisonings, diseases, and even psychological factors like ongoing stress are among them.

The illnesses that claim cats’ lives most frequently are as follows:

• Chronic renal failure caused by urolithiasis. Sterilized animals experience metabolic disorders, which require specialized nutrition and drinking regimen. If you continue to feed your cat as usual, stones form in the kidneys and bladder, which provoke pain, severe inflammation, impaired urine flow, and edema. If you start treatment immediately after the first symptoms are detected, you can cope with the disease.
• Cancerous tumors that can affect various organs. As in humans, oncology in cats can occur at any age. Most often, malignant neoplasms are detected in cats in the uterus, lymph nodes (lymphoma), mammary glands, brain and liver. It is impossible to completely cure the animal, but timely surgery and medication will significantly prolong the life of the pet and alleviate its condition.
• Bacterial, viral and fungal infections, which are most susceptible to kittens, unvaccinated and free-ranging adult cats. A sick animal definitely needs the help of a veterinarian and medications. The body can cope with mild infections on its own in 4-5 days, otherwise the condition deteriorates very quickly, becomes critical and it will no longer be possible to help the pet. There are infections that develop rapidly. An animal that is cheerful in the morning, by the evening already shows the strongest symptoms of intoxication.

It takes an autopsy at a veterinary clinic to determine what caused a pet’s unexpected death. It is preferable to speak with an expert rather than take a chance.

A domestic cat’s behavior should always be closely observed if it changes. This will make it easier to identify the disease’s early signs and the signs of impending death.

Before passing away, an old pet or one with a chronic illness exhibits very distinctive behaviors. Owners take note of this and mentally get ready for a family member to leave.

The following indicators point to impending death:

• A significant slowdown in the pulse. Normally, a cat"s heart rate is 130-230 per minute. If the heart beats 60 times or less, then the animal is dying. You can determine the pet"s pulse by pressing your fingers tightly to the chest under the left front paw. Usually, 15 seconds are measured and the countdown is kept, after which the result is multiplied by 4. Slowing of the heart rate is associated with severe hypotension, but it is impossible to measure the pressure of a cat without special devices.
• Frequent wheezing breathing. Normal for a healthy animal is considered to be 20-30 inhalations and exhalations per minute. If the cat breathes frequently, sticks out its tongue, wheezing, whistling or gurgling sounds are heard, then we are talking about severe hypoxia and dysfunction of the cardiovascular system. Sometimes a dry cough appears on exhalation. This indicates the development of obstruction and bronchopulmonary insufficiency.
• Critical decrease in body temperature. When taking measurements, the thermometer will show values ​​​​significantly lower than the required 37.5. The paw pads and ears of a dying cat will be cold.
• Refusal to eat and drink. A few days before death, the animal does not touch the bowls. Urine becomes dark, stool is absent or becomes very dry with streaks of blood. Usually, shortly before death, pets sharply and noticeably lose weight, the pelvic bones and spine begin to stick out, the sides collapse. Some cats take food and drink from the hands of their owners, but they do this rather out of love and a desire to please.
• Toilet in the wrong place. A clean and well-behaved pet may start going to the toilet outside the tray, urination may occur in sleep.
• A sharp or putrid odor. A cat"s metabolism is disrupted before death, toxins are not removed, the breakdown of proteins from the muscles begins. Those dying from cancer smell especially strong. With chronic renal failure, a sharp ammonia smell appears. The kidneys cannot cope with their filtering function, urine is retained, decay products are released with sweat and skin secretions.
• Unkempt appearance of fur. The cat stops licking itself, the fur becomes dull and rolls into icicles and tangles. In some cases, the undercoat comes out in clumps to bald spots. The eyes sink, the look becomes dull and cloudy. A previously affectionate cat may stop recognizing family members, lie detachedly in one place, completely withdraw into itself. The pupils of a dying animal will lose their reaction to light and will be greatly dilated.
• Impaired coordination. Animals, before dying, may lose orientation in space, bump into objects, stagger, fall while walking.
• Convulsions, spasms, prolonged sleep or loss of consciousness. Agony can last several hours. During it, the cat suffers from convulsions, after which it falls into oblivion for some time. Saliva, whipped into white foam, may appear near the mouth.
• Special tenderness and affection towards the owner. The cat foresees its death and cuddles up to the person, saying goodbye. Some pets, seemingly already completely weakened, begin to run and play. This is how they want to show a kind of concern for the mental state of a loved one, showing that life goes on.
• Craving for loneliness. Cats that have access to walks outside prefer to go away from home before their death. Pets also hide, looking for dark corners where no one will see them.

Why do cats leave and hide before death?

The oldest instinct that domestic pets inherited from their wild ancestors is the most likely reason why an elderly or sick cat would want to leave the house.

The animal is aware of its vulnerability in this state and feels it. They instinctively search for a quiet, secure spot to lie down where they won’t be discovered by other apex predators. Cats who have never ventured outside the house still seek out a quiet corner for the same reason.

According to zoopsychologists, cats’ independent and self-assured nature is linked to their desire for solitude prior to death. They do not wish to appear lifeless or feeble.

Hence, particularly devoted pets can shield their owners from unhappiness and loss.

Other, more esoteric theories exist as to why a cat would flee from its house. They are connected to the legend that these animals have the ability to see the subtle worlds and sense the future. It is said that in doing so, they assume the risk that faces the owners and their house and end up dying in their place.

Ways to make a dying cat feel better

Most loving pet owners are aware that their companion is passing away. They observe alterations in their pet’s behavior and general health. It is normal to want to take action to ease the final few hours.

By staying at home with the animal, possibly taking a day off from work and canceling plans, you can bid it farewell and let it go with dignity. It is preferable to caress a weaker cat and express your love for it by holding it in your arms for a while. Beside its person, the animal will feel less nervous and more secure.

It is crucial to give the cat as much comfort as possible. Making soft, warm bedding and filling a heating pad with warm water are good solutions for this. The animal should be carried to the litter box and bowls containing clean water and soft food every two to three hours.

It is worthwhile to place an absorbent diaper on the bedding—which needs to be changed frequently—if an elderly pet has incontinence.

A syringe can be used to provide water and liquid specialized food to a severely debilitated cat. It’s critical to stop parasites from entering the fur and ears. They are highly annoying and readily settle on a cat that no longer has its natural immunity.

Increase the dosage of analgesics or antispasmodics and add a dropper containing a nutrient solution if the animal is very sick.

You can have a veterinarian visit your home for palliative care. He will instruct you on how to take good care of a seriously ill pet. Describe the right way to water sick cats, massage them, and administer injections.

Mr. Cat explains: funeral

The animal’s remains must be buried honorably and, most importantly, appropriately after death. Pet cremation services are available from many veterinary clinics, though, if the animal passed away or was put to sleep in a hospital.

Certain pet cemeteries offer their services to those who have died at home. You can find them in big cities. For a fee, a burial plot or an urn containing cremated remains are offered. Owners are able to set up and visit their pet’s memorial there.

The majority of people would rather bury their own cats. Although hygienic and epidemiological standards do not advise this, it is nonetheless widely done.

When burying remains, there are several guidelines that will help ensure that ethical and environmental standards are met:

• It is better to choose a deserted part of the park, remote from hiking trails and walking other animals. You can make a grave in the forest. Sometimes pets are buried with relatives in a human cemetery. You need to know that burying animals on the owner"s personal property is not prohibited, but for a similar act in a public place you will have to pay a fine.
• The grave must be deep enough, at least one meter, so that it is not dug up by dogs or predatory animals attracted by the smell of decomposition. A shallow burial can be washed away by rain. It is very important to take care of the cleanliness of nearby groundwater sources. If there are springs or springs nearby, it is better to choose another place.
• A stone placed on the pet"s grave, a flower bed or a planted tree can play an aesthetic and memorable role. Owners will be able to visit the place where their pet rests. This will help them to more easily survive the separation.

Psychological experience of loss

All members of the family experience profound emotional distress when a pet dies. You shouldn’t suppress your feelings or cry. You should see a psychologist if you are unable to handle the melancholy on your own. Spending time with your family or conversing with other cat owners who have already gone through the loss in a group on social media or on a specialized forum are both excellent ways to comfort yourself.

Children’s emotions should receive special consideration. They are too young and inexperienced to handle grief on their own. A close friend passing away causes a significant psychological trauma. The deceased animal starts to dream of them and sees himself as objects or as folded clothing. Kids grieve for their pets for a long time; they can’t focus on studying or playing games.

It’s crucial for parents to acknowledge the issue, share all of their grief with the child, and promise him a new kitten instead of ignoring it. Instead, they should remember the deceased with warmth and love and concentrate on their shared happy memories of life.

The elderly who are lonely and whose cat is their only friend should receive complete psychological support. The loss of a cat exacerbates feelings of loneliness and can occasionally make a person feel less worthy of life and want to pass away before their beloved.

Furthermore, suspicious elderly people start to interpret the death of a household pet as a terrible omen, such as "died a cat – wait for a deceased in the house." Such fears and superstitions can have a major negative impact on one’s health and exacerbate chronic illnesses on a neurological level.

Giving the cat’s belongings and toys to other animal-owning families is a good idea after some time has passed.

Nevertheless, if the cat passed away due to an infection, this should never be done. After an animal becomes ill, items are discarded.

It is worthwhile to make new friends once the agony of loss has eventually subsided. A person won’t be able to find solace or happiness in a new pet if they are unable to remember their furry friend without crying. After the loss of a cherished cat, time must pass.

It’s said that the new cat will approach the owner on its own once his heart settles and he ceases to grieve for his friend.

This belief is not very mystic; it’s just that the person who has lost something finally starts to examine kittens in advertisements and on the street. Maybe one of them will attract his attention.

As a cat gets older, it tends to become more withdrawn and sometimes even moves out of the house. Cats seek out a calm, secure area to die quietly, so this behavior is instinctive. It can be challenging for owners to comprehend, but this is a normal aspect of their life cycle.

An injury, illness, or advanced age can all be factors in a cat’s decline in health. Knowing the symptoms, which include changes in behavior, appetite loss, and lethargy, can help pet owners give their pets comfort and care during this difficult time.

Although it’s never easy to say goodbye to a beloved cat, it can be somewhat consoling to know that they’re trying to find peace and to understand their actions. Giving them affection and encouragement in their last moments guarantees that they go knowing they were loved.

Because it’s in their nature to spend their last moments alone and apart from the pack, cats frequently flee their homes when they are about to die. Given that a vulnerable cat would have been more likely to be attacked by predators in the wild, this behavior is based on survival instincts. In order to die in privacy, cats may also depart in search of a calm, serene area where they feel safe and at ease. Comprehending this behavior can aid owners in managing the bereavement and offering their feline the solace it requires during this trying period.

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