Why do cats wander away when they die?

Question

My cat who is sixteen has wandered away and I'm pretty sure he has passed away. He never disappears for more than two days, and he's been missing for three weeks. Does anyone have any idea why they wander away when they die?

Answer 1

i always heard they do that cuz they dont wanna see u cry its more peacefull   if hes gone sorry for ur loss......May I Go Now?

May I go now?

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days

and endless lonely nights?

I've lived my life and done my best,

an example tried to be.

So can I take that step beyond

and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,

I fought with all my might.

But something seems to draw me now

to a warm and loving light.

I want to go

I really do.

It's difficult to stay.

But I will try as best I can

to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me

and share your love and fears.

I know you're sad and afraid,

because I see your tears.

I'll not be far,

I promise that, and hope you'll always know

that my spirit will be close to you

wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me.

You know I love you too,

that's why it's hard to say goodbye

and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time

and let me hear you say,

because you care so much for me,

you'll let me go today

PUT ME TO REST

Time to let me go my friend,

Because my life no-one can mend,

Its better to let me go this way,

Than watch me suffer night and day.

I'm happy to go, my time has come,

My quality of life is no longer fun,

Ive been so ill, so its not a bad thing,

To let me go forever resting.

Stay with me till I drift away,

Fast asleep forever I pray,

To relieve me from suffering and pain,

What more can I ask from my best friend.

Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain,

Never to be ill ever again,

I know you'll miss me being there,

But all the memories you have to share.

Thank you for being my best friend,

And all my needs that you did tend,

Try not to be sad, try not to cry,

Now is the time to say goodbye

Put me to rest.

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.

I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house as you fumbled for your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, "It's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair

I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you every day

To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled; I think you knew...

In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning

And say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.

~Author Unknown~  

Answer 2

Why do people allow their cats to roam freely outdoors - especially when they're elderly and sick?  He may not have "wandered away to die" he may have been hit by a car, eaten by a coyote, shot at, poisoned, etc, etc, etc.

Answer 3

my first cat i had her for 5 years, we took her to the vet and found out she didnt have long to live. She was an outside cat too bcoz my dad didnt let me keep her inside either (the first chick who answered is a total bi@ch). Anyway, one day our neigbour came and told us they found her dead in their backyard. I did some reseach on the net, and apparently its bcoz cats dont want to make their owners sad. My own feeling on this is that bcoz cats have a lot of pride, they go somewhere else to die bcoz they dont want you to see them in their dead state where they look so vulnerable.

Answer 4

im sorry for your loss and im sorry your here dealing with people hoping you look at the negative side of things. i understand you had a situation in which you couldnt have your cat be inside when you liked but all that matters is he was taken care of and not all cats even like the life of  an indoor cat even in their old age. Im not sure why animals do this but i would guess it would depend on the animal and that they may just want to be alone in there final days, im not sure but i wish you the best and again im sorry for your loss.

Answer 5

Mine don't,because they are not allowed outside.They die right here at home,in my arms,or at the vet,in my arms.Why would you leave a 16 year old cat outside? So many terrible things could have happened to him.And did you put an ad in the paper and call all of the local shelters and vets? Post flyers? If not,then you should,as someone could have him.If you're lucky enough to get him back,keep in inside from now on. I really hope you find him,but cats belong inside where they are safe.

Answer 6

I'm not exactly sure why, but i would assume so it easier for the both of you. I do swear that animals know when it's time especially cats. I have went through this a few times & my favorite yet saddest is when our one cat Patches was nearing her time (she was 13) within that week we noticed that she had slowed down extremely & was starting to have a harder time trying to jump on the couch, bed, etc. well one night i after everyone was in bed, i was going to do my last load of laundry from upstairs & patches cried to go with (everynight before she would go to sleep she always checked on the kids first) obviously the stairs were becoming too much, so i picked her up & she went to each kids room & cried to be put up by them (i saw her do a quick snuggle & a l**k on their forehead) when she was done i brought her back downstairs with me & i began to fold the towels when i noticed she was no longer in the room. I went in our bedroom, but didn't see her & then i noticed a small lump of the blanket on the floor, it was her she had curled right at the edge of the underside of the bed & passed away. It made me cry but i felt better knowing she did her own goodbye

Answer 7

I am surprised that you haven't found him.  If he did go to die so to speak then I am sure he would have been close to where he felt comfort.. I am sorry for your loss regardless, and I hope that someday you will have peace.