Cat taken himself off to die, Anybody experienced this?

[AlexReidsLonelyBraincell]

My beautiful, very ancient old tomcat has been on the decline for a while now. He has multiple health problems and in the last week started to really slow down, refusing his medication, spending lots of time alone and looking generally exhausted.

I fed him at lunchtime on Saturday as he was looking for food. We then went out.
When we came back he wasn't home and was nowhere to be seen. We have a cat flap so he could come and go himself. He has been garden bound for months and wasn't really inclined to wander. I thought he wouldn't be far but as the evening went on there was no sign.
The weather was terrible and I was looking and calling for him through the evening up until quite late on. My fear was that he'd left us as he was poorly but I was really hoping he was snug inside on of the neighbours houses.

We knew that it was a matter of weeks for him but I am devastated that he has just gone, vanished.
We've informed the RSPCA, local cats home and vets etc, just in case any cats matching his description are found.

We have lots of trees at the back - when he was younger he used to go up there and sunbathe, prowl do whatever it is cats do. We suspect he must have retreated to some peaceful spot thats familiar to be on his own.
We cant look for him there as it is owned by the railway so very securely fenced off, in my less sensible moments I have been tempted to take a pair of wire cutters to the fence.

I don't know what my actual point to this post is, I'm so bloody upset and wanted to see if anybody else had been through similar. I know cats are known for this but the not knowing for certain what's happened is awful.

Thank you for reading my rambling post, it has helped just to get it out really.

Oh Alex, I don't have any experience but just wanted to say I'm so sorry. The not knowing is horrible.

Thank you Sparkling I do appreciate it.

I didnt even like cats much until he turned up at our door one day like the Littlest Hobo, he'd been fending for himself up until then I think, then moved himself in with us. He was brilliant, a big, purry softy a real part of the family.

The exact same thing happened to my DP's younger sister about a month ago. She had 2 cats, brothers. They're pretty old now, and spent most of their outdoor time in their garden.

It's almost exactly the same story as yours. One afternoon they'd been fed and went outside, and the one cat has never returned. Her mum called the RSPCA and also the local council, as any animals they collect (dead or alive) are registered, but so far they've heard nothing.

It's such a sad way for things to end, to not know for sure what has happened. Sending hugs your way

I think if I were you I would do some flyers to post locally, and also put a few on lampposts etc.

Our little cat went missing. No happy ending but the neighbour that found her had received a flyer so at least we got closure.

We also live backing on to the railway line.

My cat started taking himself off a few days before he died. At the time I didn't realise that was what he was doing, as he seemed ok (he had had surgery for a tumour a month or so before, but seemed to be recovering well). Then we left him boarding in the vets as we were away for a few days getting married, and literally within an hour of us leaving everything went haywire, the vet did all he could to stabalise him and then called me, we were about four hours drive away by then and the vet didn't think he would live long enough for us to drive back, I had to tell the vet over the 'phone to put him down . With hindsight I could see that his staying out and wandering were signals .He was very bonded to me and I think he needed to be away from me before he could let go.
My Granny's cat wandered away to die too, he was in his 20's.
tbh, If I were you, i would get over/through the fence and find him, or call the railway and ask for access. He could be weak and in pain, and I think having him pts is kinder than leaving him. I'm sorry .

I'm sorry. We had a couple of cats disappear without trace - one we think decided he didn't like his brother and wanted to find his own space, the other we never knew what happened. We had playing fields behind so there was a lot of space he coupld have roamed, and a railway line beyond that. My mother contacted the council and the railway to ask if anyone came across the cat to let us know - we never heard but I guess that was a sensible thing to do what she could to find out.

If your old cat has taken himself off - well, I suppose its sort of good he's done what he wants, though its hard for you.

I wonder if you ring Network Rail they could have a look for you? There are very often workmen on the tracks by us.

Thanks for all the good advice and lovely posts,
I hadn't thought about contacting Network Rail/The council so will get onto that.

We've made some little posters to put through the neighbours doors. I want to feel I've done everything I can before I 'give up on him' you know?

Thanks again.

Yes, I think if you do flyers and posters it is likely someone will have some info. Is he chipped?

I also gave a flyer to the bin men and to the postman and told all the children that play out to keep a look out.

Ours did, he had thyroid surgery, staggered through the recovery, picked up a bit for about a month then disappeared one afternoon. We found him, alive, curled up under some bushes, after hours of searching and took him home, he died that night. Im sure he knew it was coming

such a sad story. We always had cats growing up and I my mum often talked about cats going off to die alone. Seems to be what many cats want unfortunately.

I'm so sorry. He sounds like a very special and much loved cat.

Nothing much helpful to add though

He is/was chipped, so at least that's something.
He was very near the end, I'm a nurse and he reminded me off my most elderly frailest patients.
But he was comfortable and still pottering, albeit slowly. I should have guessed he would do this, he always was his own cat, awkward 'til the last. That is one of the many reasons we loved him.
to you all.

God I am blubbering like a baby here!

So sorry Alex

So sorry

My old cat did this. Returned home from a trip to the vet who said he hasn't got long but not in pain. I let him out and never saw him again. Searched for weeks but never found him.

It broke my heart.

Any news Alex?

Unfortunately not. Thanks for asking, I am beginning to convince myself properly that he is gone. All searches have been fruitless so far.
He was very frail and I hope that wherever he is he is at peace.
I can't bring myself to move his beds yet (he has three), his mat and bowls and other bits. I'll give it until a week has passed, then I'll know.

I keep expecting to see him and being taken by surprise when he isn't there, the house was never lonely as I always had him to talk rubbish to, he didn't mind too much as he'd follow me from room to room all day long.

I had ordered lots of food for him, all the fancy pants stuff to try and tempt his appetite. Husband is going to take it to the little cat sanctuary local to us. It's too upsetting to have around.

We were so lucky that he chose us, he was the most loving, affectionate old boy, my life has been richer for him being in it. He was even there when dc1 was born at home, I have a photo of me and him on my wedding morning, me all dolled up in my dress him sitting next to me.

I'm sorry to go on, I'm very grateful for this section as I know it is full of other crazy cat ladies. I do appreciate the thoughts and comments, and thank you for not making me feel like a silly old fool, who says MN is a nest of vipers? Fluffy kittens more like.

Oh, I'm sorry Alex. He was truly loved, and loved you back too. He had the perfect life by the sound of it.

Oh Alex he sounds gorgeous. A real character. You must miss him terribly.

I'm so glad you have so many memories of him. And maybe there is some solace to be found in him having the freedom and ability to choose his own way right up until the end.

I have had a few cats over the years but one stands out in my memory. It's been over 11 years since we lost him and I still miss him and treasure the time we had with him.

Aw Alex, he sounds like a lovely cat.

Your comment about expensive food reminded me of my Mother's very elderly cat, who waited until my Mother had been out and spend shedloads on very expensive food to tempt her appetite before expiring. I wonder whether it's something lots of cats do, just one last contrary 'I'm a cat, me, I get to wind my human up right to the end' gesture.

Hi Alex, so sorry you are going through this, our family cat done this, well 2 of them did actually, I think it may have helped if we had known where they were, I remember spending hours just staring out of my window willing mine to come back, I was only a teenager at the time.

Our other cat, which we rescued done the same, she just dissapeared, its almost like they have fallen off the earth, no sightings at all, they just seem to vanish.

You will be upset, you are only human, at least if he has taken himself off, he will be free of pain and running happily at rainbow bridge where all my cats went, I lost a few whilst breeding and remember each one, fondly. I think this is one of main reasons for giving up breeding that and the timing of EX affair, it just hurt so much losing them, it's so sad and perfectly normal for you to grieve.

It is horrid when they just dissapear though, you always think the worst, but in my experience mine have only ever done this when they have gone to rest, for a long time.

Very sad but I bet he had a great life with you. x