Author: Stephanie Howe, DVM

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References Close,WRITTEN BYStephanie Howe, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Howe graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2011, after receiving a Bachelor of Science…,As pet parents, we all know that our pets can sense things. They may know when we are happy or sense when we are sad, and they may even come to us to provide much-needed comfort. Cats are perceptive and seem to understand many unspoken things.  But how well do they understand death—whether it’s a family member or themselves that are near passing? Can a Cat Sense Death? Cats do seem to be aware of death, but it is hard to know how much they understand the concept and whether they fully understand the finality of their own passing. They certainly understand when they are feeling ill or that something is different or wrong. As far as we know, cats do not fear death, though they may wish to be free from pain or discomfort. It is not uncommon for an ill cat or any other predator to hide symptoms of illness, as this may alert other predators that they are ill. As such, it is not unusual for a cat to begin to hide as their time draws near, but this could be a symptom of their worsening illness and not a direct sign that they know the end is coming. It is thought that animals, and especially cats, can detect by smell the chemical changes that occur in an animal or human body immediately before death. They have also been known to respond to the physical and emotional needs of the animal or person that is passing away. Certain cats seem to have more of a sense of when other animals or people are nearing the end than others. One cat named Oscar was the subject of several medical journals in the early 2000s. During his time at a rehabilitation and nursing home in Rhode Island, Oscar seemed to “predict” 50 deaths. Oscar would identify certain patients, and once he curled up with them, they would pass, usually within hours. Not all cats are as sensitive to signs of the end of life, but they all may have some sense of when the end is coming.