Our Cat Has Vanished.

[Zubar]

Our cat Dusty is 17 (a very good age) & his health has been gradually deteriorating for the past 6 months. Firstly he went blind, which impacted on his mobility, though he was still able to get around. Then he started to spend more & more time in his basket, only venturing out into the garden when he needed to answer a call of nature. For the past three months we have provided him with a litter tray, because he had started to urinate on the kitchen floor. It was obvious that he only had a very limited life span, but he was still eating three bowls of cat food a day up to four days ago! He went out on Xmas day morning & hasn't come inside our house since! He was seen in the garden Boxing day afternoon, but then disappeared again before he could be brought in. He was seen briefly this morning in the garden & then just vanished. I have been out in the garden looking for him 4 times this evening, but there isn't a sign of him. I realised that he was suffering. so I was actually making plans to take him to the vet before he disappeared. I have heard that cats sense when they are about to die & go off to find somewhere to die peacefully. I just wondered if anybody else has had this experience with their cat ?

[slinkycat]

Hi zubar,sorry to hear that,haven't been through this with any of my cats, but recently my friend has with hers.
Her cat was 20 years old and looking great up to about 6 months ago. She was thinking of having her put to sleep, but then she rallied round and was eating fine, although she was skinny and her fur had got that old cat "clumpy" look.
She disappeared 2 weeks ago and despite searching all the nearby gardens there was no trace of her :(
It's very sad, but yes it seems that they sometimes do this.

[petal54]

always a sad time,hope you find him.cats do tend to hide away,mine did last year when there were fireworks & she'd torn a claw.

[cupid04]

I hope he wanders back soon. It's the not knowing that's worrying you so I hope he comes back to say thankyou for looking after me.xx

[ruthann58]

sorry to read this i hope you can get him in , we have had 2 that have just gone to sleep in their beds i hope yours will do the same so much better then having to make the decision

[murraymints]

oh dear...hope he comes back soon....

[Goonermatt]

I found one of my cats once in the flower bed.

He was pretty old, but didn't seem ill at all, and it seems he found a nice warm spot in the dirt, amongst some nice smelling flowers, laid down and hit the snooze button.

Sad business, but he looked peaceful enough.

[IggyB]

Following an argument with a car one of my cats had to have an arm amputated. When I first got her home she needed some quite string pain medication for a while, every time she had it she would crawl off somewhere hidden and give the distinct impression she was waiting to die. I think this is something of a cat trait when they feel very unwell.

I hope you find him, even if just to say goodbye

[boxtops]

zubar, so sorry to hear this. You may well be right - but he may be hiding up (or locked in) someone's shed or garage where it's dry, and the door's not been opened over the holiday period. Knock on a few local doors, just in case. Even if he is near the end, it will be good to know how it happens. Thinking of you. ♥

[breadstick]

had a cat that did this when i was a lad

he never went anywhere, then one day when he was in poor health and old he vanished, i spent a large portion of my summer hols that year searching for him, never did find him

[AlwaysConfused]

Cats do often know when their time is near and find a place to go in peace, they are independent animals! Hopefully your cat is just being dramatic and feeling a little sorry for itself. They will not go far, but if you don't see Dusty for a couple of days, check nearby bushes, behind your shed etc. 17 is a good age, but I am sure you will want to know should the inevitable happen.

[katburd]

Zubar, sorry to read about your cat and all other stories on this thread.

Please St. Anthony, look around, something's lost that can't be found.

[boxtops]

Katburd, that's lovely - it's been years since I heard that one.

[furrypusscat]

I do hope he comes home soon.

[katburd]

Hi boxtops, nice of you to say. x
Zubar keep calling him every 15 mins or so, please!

[Jemisa]

Dusty wherever you are you are being thought of and I do hope you've chosen a comfy warm corner to have your long & peaceful sleep...

From a cat lover.

Jem

[boxtops]

I do hope he turns up. When Rover went missing, we thought he'd be really ill if he returned, but at least we would have been able to make our farewells. Not knowing is sad. Thinking of you and your Dusty, Zubar.

[ruthandsam]

Any news on Dusty, Zubar?

[Zubar]

Many thanks to you all for your kind words & wishes. My neighbour found Dusty still alive, but soaking wet, in his back garden on Boxing Day & returned him to us. I took him to the vet yesterday and he couldn't find anything wrong with him apart from old age! The vet gave him a jab ( steroid & anti-biotic) and said it might help to ' buck him up'. When we returned from the vet Dusty had two bowls of fish & has been eating chicken today. He has been resting quite a bit in his basket & has been having the occasional constitutional in our garden. Peace & Love To You All and I Hope You All Have A Happy New Year.

[Purple_Popple]

Aww, so pleased to read that! Thank you for the update :)