Do old cats really go off on their own to die?

[belindarose]

My mum's 20 year old cat has gone missing, which has never happened before. They're really upset about it, obviously, and can't find any sign of her at all. I've heard that cats tend to go off to die on their own. Do you think this is true? Why would they?? How thoughtless!

ive heard this too but not sure how true it is to be honest.hope she turns up soon xxx

This happened with my aunt and uncle's cat. It is very thoughtless though isn't it? No care for the people who love them, wondering what on earth has happened. That's typical of cats though.

I hope they find her alive and well.

as a child our 17 year old moggy moved to our neighbours to die.

sorry, i am not helping am i.

i hope she comes back with a big old bellyfull.

Thanks, still no sign. She is so old, there's not a lot of hope is there? My Nan didn't help mum much - 'Are you sure a fox hasn't carried her off, dear?'. (cue lots of wailing!).

well mine haven't but a caring neighbour who didn't know my cat found him wandering on the road outside,picked him up and drove him to the nearest animal shelter.we were reunited two weeks later after my sil saw a found ad in the local paper.the neighbour mistook his great age and general dodderiness for being hit by a car.
after that we had to keep him in the garden.
best of luck with yours.

sharbie, similar but worse with my friend's cat! A helpful neighbour found her (old and haggard, but fine!) and took her to a vet who put her down.

Oh how sad; much sympathy.

oh no how awful

Oh no! What a revelation!

(rushes off to check that 21 year old moggie is still asleep on the sofa...)

Phew, she's still there! Belindarose, I do feel sad for you and your mum; it must be the not knowing that is hard. I hope she turns up - keep us all posted!

we found a dead cat on our bed. Wasn't one of ours

Had to laugh at belindarose's post about the neighbour's cat.

Disclaimer; my cat is v. old too, so not entirely heartless.

Really.

Guess what! She turned up this morning (alive), even thinner than usual and a bit dusty, apparently. So we still don't know if it's true.
tink, that's hilarious (though probably not for you at the time!).

Yay, bug hurray for Belindarose's mum's cat (pedants will tell me if I've got the apostrophes in the right places).

A good news story to combat the current economic doom and gloom!

Sorry - BIG hurray!

Aaaw, I liked the idea of a bug hurray. :)

Your apostrophes are fine.

Nice to hear about the old cat, belindarose.