Warning - Sad Message

jhgkp

Hello

We lost our wee cat a couple weeks back. She was 6 years old and we found her dead in her bed when we woke up. My OH decided it was best we bury her.

I am now having night mares. Did I do something wrong? My OH says it was probably her heart, as they remember the mother dying young, but not of what as it was a friend of a friend we got her from and it was in a passing conversation. OH didn't want to take her to vet as they have in past and the vet just cut them open, maybe not find anything and give them back as just ashes.

We are planning on getting a new kitten after the summer.

Do cats just die suddenly like humans?

TBagpuss

Yes.
Just like humans, cats ( and other animals) can be born with congenital issues such as heart problems, they can also suffer from problems such as strokes, and while strokes are more common in older animals, just as they're more common in older people, it's not impossible for a younger cat to have one.

They can also go down hill very quickly if they are ill.

If she has access to the outside then it is also possible that she may have eaten something which made her ill, or have suffered an injury, or caught something from another animal - cats are good at hiding the fact that they are hurt or ill, so it would not necessarily be obvious that anything was wrong.

It's always a shock when a pet dies suddenly, but it doesn't mean you did anything wrong.

Mayflower10cat

I just wanted to say how very sorry I am that you lost a much loved cat so suddenly. It's very hard to bear.

NewShadow

Unfortunately cats (and other pets) can die much more suddenly than most humans.

We can know if something feels wrong and tell someone (not always, but most of the time) and we're very aware of the symptoms of things like heart failure so can seek treatment.

If a cat isn't feeling very well they often just continue on as normal and pass away in their sleep without anyone ever being the wiser.

Your lovely little kitty might have just felt more tired than usual, curled up safe and warm in her bed, safe in her home with her humans, and just drifted off to sleep.

jhgkp

Thank you all for your kind words.

She was fine the night before. She had ate all her food and was fine a couple of hours before hand when I had got up to the bathroom, she had even used the litter tray as it was changed the night before too. I guess I am still in a state of shock - keep expecting for her to run in and start licking my arm. She was my baby, I can't have kids so she was my surrogate baby. She never got outside, we even had her fixed a couple of months back (the vet said it would prolong her life) so I just don't know - I guess such as life.

As my OH says to me - we have to think of the next generation but not forget the past, we are both very sad, house does seem so very quiet without her. I am trying not to give myself a hard time, it is that is what is probably giving me the nightmares.

My wee girl -

meritaten

OH that is so sad - I am sorry for your loss. She looks lovely in the pic.

if the mother cat died young then it points to a genetic condition doesn't it? such as a heart problem.
The vet didn't pick up on anything amiss - and they check carefully for heart and respiration problems before doing the 'fix'.
how could you have done anything wrong? you loved and cared for the cat (obviously). and it must have been sudden and very peaceful for the cat. how could you know what would happen if the cat was 'normal' on going to bed?

and I think its lovely that you buried her in the back garden.

calicocat

Hi,

Nightmares are normal. It's just you adjusting to a loss. They will go in time and be replaced by the better stuff. Later, what will pop up in your head will be the good and funny things, so don't worry.

Smodlet

I feel your pain. We lost our lovely little fluff kitten (we called her that though she made it to fourteen) over two years ago and we both still talk to her every day. It was the first time I had ever seen my OH really cry, howl with pain. She was a daddy's girl. When the sun shines, we say she is sending it as she was such a wonderful, bright little person. It is how we honour her memory.

Cry, it's cathartic, and if anyone says something hopelessly insensitive such as, "it's only a cat" just walk away, they are not worth knowing.

I am sure you took the very best care of your little one and her mum dying young does seem to indicate a possible genetic condition. Cats in the wild are prey to just about anything bigger than they are and therefore excel at hiding the fact they do not feel well as it would make them an easy target. This behaviour has not been bred out of them just because they have been, to some degree, domesticated. I love them because they will never be truly so; they are in charge, not us, right?

If you don't mind, there is one thing I really want to make people aware of; please never, ever give cats food from your plate unless you are absolutely certain it is perfectly safe for them to eat. Did you know onions are lethal to cats? Most of the time they know what they should and should not eat from the smell but, so I've read, cannot resist anti-freeze, which kills them. Just like children, you have to be so aware of all the hazards around and try to see the world from a cat's point of view. That's not a fence, it's a public footpath; that's not a wall you can put things on, it is a public footpath you have just put a load of obstructions on, etc.

Best of luck with your new furry friend. Maybe think about trying to get one from someone you know whose mama cat has lived to a ripe old age and is healthy? There are no guarantees but that is a good start.

tea_lover

What a beautiful photo, she was a stunner

As others have said, you didn't do anything wrong, she was obviously adored and very well looked after. She was calm, peaceful, warm and loved when she drifted away without any illness, in the comfort and safety of her home. I'm so sorry for your loss, but it sounds like a peaceful, stress-free (for her) way to go.

Take care x.

catkins

What a beautiful girl.

Please don't blame yourself at all for what happened. I have had quite a few cats over the years and 2 have died quite young for no apparent reason. One me and OH found in our garden but she had no marks on her and the other died in a neighbour's garden. Neighbour's daughter was stroking her, went indoors for a couple of minutes and when she returned to my cat he was dead.

Every time I have lost any of my pets I have been absolutely heartbroken so I know how you feel. I too, have had a few nightmares and, of course, they are horrible, but they should not last for long.

Cry as much as you want or need and grieve for you furry friend. It may take a time but eventually you will be able to smile when you think of her.

jhgkp

Just had to come on and say thank you to everyone for your very kind words. I thought I was being silly, as some people have said to me "its only a cat" but she was my baby.

I am resisting the temptation not to look at kittens, but we are looking forward to the next generation, house feels so empty with out her about.