Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

My cat has died

43 replies

Bbqknuckles · 03/02/2021 16:16

My little baby has died today. He was called bbq knuckles (nc for pics). 1.5 years old. We have had him since he was born as we took in a stray cat who turned out to be pregnant and only had the 1 (him) so we kept him too. He was so handsome and a really boisterous kitty. I have no idea what happened. He was a bit distant yesterday but no other issues, I was busy wfh so didn't really pay any mind to it. I have just ventured downstairs to find him laying funny, but he was definitely still alive, so I cuddled him and whilst I was phoning the vets he passed. I am so sad.

My cat has died
My cat has died
My cat has died
OP posts:
Original poster
Bbqknuckles · 03/02/2021 16:17

I have seen so many of these threads I didn't think I would be writing my own so soon.

OP posts:
DogsSausages · 03/02/2021 16:21

I am so sorry about bbqknuckles. He was still so young. He looks a beautiful cat and I know he had a wonderful life with you. Flowers

Original poster
Bbqknuckles · 03/02/2021 16:25

Thank you so much @DogsSausages Sad

OP posts:
Yiayoula · 03/02/2021 16:25

So sorry to read this - what a gorgeous, fluffy boy he was.
We have a black cat too, they are so very precious
Thinking of you . 💐 xx

Ihatesandwiches · 03/02/2021 16:25

That must have been such a shock. Try to take comfort that you gave him a good life, that he was happy and he died where he knew he was loved Flowers. Sending hugs x

Gatekeeper · 03/02/2021 16:27

ohhh, I'm so sorry Bbq...heartbreaking for you Sad. What a handsome little lad he was

miccoops · 03/02/2021 16:28

I'm so sorry for your loss, how devastating. Thinking of you Flowers

CaraDuneRedux · 03/02/2021 16:29

Oh what a beautiful little cat he was!

Always particularly sad to lose them young. Flowers and an un-mumsnetty hug.

Original poster
Bbqknuckles · 03/02/2021 16:30

Thank you all so much I really appreciate your messages... I am going to have to have some tests done re cause of death due to having other cats and possible contagious-ness I suppose? Although I just want him to rest. I feel so guilty, maybe had I taken him to the vets yesterday he would be okay. And my other cats are also going to grieve and be confused I think. I have 3 others including his mother. They are all ( including bbq) so loved. I feel sick.

OP posts:
WhoaBettyWhite · 03/02/2021 16:30

I'm so sorry you lost you fur baby today😢, it's devastating isn't it? Sending hugs 💐

dublingirl66 · 03/02/2021 16:32

Nooooo little beauty
So sorry xxxxxx

Toddlerteaplease · 03/02/2021 16:38

So very sorry.

Vinorosso74 · 03/02/2021 16:40

So sorry. He was such a cutie and so young too. It's awful when they go but at such a young age even worse.

Original poster
Bbqknuckles · 03/02/2021 17:01

I have never lost a pet before. Well, we lost DS hamster but it was different and kind of expected that it wouldn't live very long. I've had plenty of human bereavement throughout my life but it's not the same, I don't know how to even explain it. Just awful. He was my responsibility, I should've kept him safe and I failed. Thank you all Flowers

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 03/02/2021 17:11

I’m sorry, it really hurts when you lose them. I’ve got a long list of humans I would of rather lost than my little cat.

Yiayoula · 03/02/2021 18:26

Please don’t think you failed him ! He was being cuddled, and loved, in his last moments .
Hope the tests give you the answers you need. Be kind to yourself xx

Want2beme · 03/02/2021 18:31

That's so sad. What a lovely little puss he was. It's not your fault. You loved him and took good care of himFlowers

HamSandwichKiller · 03/02/2021 18:32

So sad. He was a beautiful boy

Original poster
Bbqknuckles · 03/02/2021 21:02

Thanks for all your lovely messages, got an appt at the vets tomorrow lunch time. I have opted for individual cremation so I can bring him home. I haven't been able to stop crying this evening.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 03/02/2021 21:37

That’s normal, there’s no point holding it in.

Original poster
Bbqknuckles · 04/02/2021 02:21

I can't even sleep. I've made the mistake of googling and from what I can see and think of the way he was acting on Tues and yesterday morning I think it was a urinary tract blockage. Which means I could have done something. I feel awful. He trusted me to take care of him and I didn't

OP posts:
CatChant · 04/02/2021 02:42

I'm so sorry. He was lovely and I'm sure he knew how much you loved him.

For what it's worth I have a cat who has survived a urinary tract blockage and we only realised something was wrong because he was lying down and wouldn't get up one morning. He must have been sickening for days but we had no idea because he was behaving normally.

It's very hard to tell sometimes and it isn't something you tend to expect in a young cat.

You did take care of him and you didn't fail him. You gave him a happy life and did your best to get him treatment when you realised he was ill. Sometimes they deteriorate so quickly there's nothing to be done.

Don't blame yourself. Flowers

thecatneuterer · 04/02/2021 13:46

Oh god that's awful. I'm so sorry. That kills so many male cats. There is a link between urinary crystals and cheap, dry food such as Go Cat and Whiskas. So if any of your other cats are male make sure you don't give them anything like that.

None of this is your fault though. Unless you are experienced it's an easy thing to miss, particularly if they don't have a litter tray, and it kills very quickly.

WhatKatyDidNxt · 04/02/2021 13:49

So sorry to hear this. Gorgeous pictures. You couldn’t have known this was going to happen

Original poster
Bbqknuckles · 04/02/2021 16:41

Thank you all. I have 1 other male cat, the other 2 are female. My other male is on a certain food from the vet because he gained a lot of weight once he was done and the rest are on grain free dry (from a local small pet shop) which they have available all the time then share some wet food every day or two. They have a big water fountain which is away from their food. I hope this is okay, it seemed to be when I looked into it. I tried so hard to make sure I knew things before I got them as I didn't want to be irresponsible, the vet said this diet was okay unless there were health issues, but I will change their food if I need to.

The vet said there were no obvious signs of anything, but as we took his mum in when she was pregnant as a stray the dad could have had any number of diseases or genetic issues. I opted not to do a post mortem as I just want him to be peacefully sleeping now left alone and she said that was fine and as long as the other cats aren't showing any symptoms of anything not to worry but if I do notice them acting like he did then bring them in. I feel a bit better after speaking to her as she really reassured me I did everything I could and that he will be taken care of.

I have chosen a lovely casket which will have his full name on and am to expect his ashes back in the next few weeks. They're also making me a clay print of his claw and a cutting of his fur. I let the other cats see him before we left and then the empty carrier when I got back, which the vet said was the best thing to do and I'm glad I thought to do it before taking him. Thank you all again for your lovely words.

OP posts: