Is it true cats hide when they know they are dying?

First off, my condolences to you and your family. Losing a pet is never easy.

When my 12-year old cat passed away from organ failure she tried to hide under the bed, I can only assume to be alone.

I do want to add that most of the time "going off to die" is a cat thing, not a dog thing. While some dogs do wander off to die, for the most part senior dogs also suffer from some level of dementia (doggy Alzheimer's), and once they wander off they can't find their way home. As horrible as it sounds, they often die alone and scared because dogs generally crave the comfort of their human family when it's their time to go.

I do hope that you are able to retrieve your cat either way. I think that would be closure in and of itself.

es, I had that happen to me several years ago when my Frances had stomach and bone cancer and also failing kidneys. She was a DLH only 11 years old. I knew she was sick,and I had to administer water thru and IV. She allowed me to care for her for awhile. I was brining her salmon from my restaurant and she refused to est. She didn't want to be with me. She "went to ground". She kept trying to go into the corners of the apartment. I came home one day after work and she died alone in a corner. I have never forgiven myself for not making the decision to euthanize before she died probably very comfortably. I have not made that mistake again, I was younger. I have since had at least 3 cats and one dog, all elderly that I have had to euthanize. It is still sad and painful, but at least I know I made the only choice as to not let them die in pain. I hope this helps.

My little cat got hit by a car and was missing for 2 days, but he struggled to get home for help, so not really sure if they do go off to die alone, possibly, but at the end of the day, its their way and as pet owners we need to accept it and not humanise them. really sorry to hear about your puss, but thats the down side, jsut remember the love and joy he brought you.

Oh I am so so so very sorry you are going through this!!! This is one of the hardest things to go through in my opinion, I just went through it with my precious kitty last June, and yes, she did do that. She didn't really hide, but she did lay in odd places and in corners with her face towards the corner. That was sooo unlike her as she was always my complete shadow. Animals do indeed know. And you have my deepest thoughts, bless you and your kitty!

All animals are differ in their reactions to health conditions. Some what the companionship of the "mums and dads" where as some prefer to be alone. I have had an elder cat pass at home and the days before he wanted everyones attention. The day he decided it was his time to move on he went to my bedroom and within a half an hour had moved on to his new world. So it's hard to say what a pet may do. But if you are conserned she may have passed you should look in all nooks and cranies in you house in case she may have gone into hiding.