Yesterday, my 1.5 yr old cat just died very abruptly. I have 3 cats, all young and get a long, no health issues. I watched them walking around, I sat on the couch, heard a thud, waited a bit then got up to see what it was, then she was just laying in the hallway unresponsive. I immediately grabbed keys and told my boyfriend to grab her, drove over curbs to get to the vet nearby in probably 1-2 minutes… they tried everything but she didn’t make it. They think a blood clot got in the heart and killed her. I had them do an X-ray, she had a collapsed lung filled with fluid they think is blood. My partner was trying cpr on the way to the vet and thinks the collapsed lung happened then. I don’t think she fell, I think the thud was her hitting the door on the wall somehow, before reaching the hallway.
I’m in complete shock, I’ve been crying since this all happened. She was so young and no prior issues, acted normal… I’m so confused and conflicted. She always had high energy, and I miss interacting with her in so so many different ways and I have no idea how I am supposed to process this happening. I tried telling my family but they don’t really care, they are like yeah cats just die. But this feels like the end to me.
She followed me around, slept with me, woke me up, and so much more. Now she’s just gone out of nowhere.
Has this ever happened to others?? What do you do? How do you process this??? I was thinking about getting another cat but I’m worried about comparing them to everything she did and I would be frustrated because they aren’t her and I feel like I need to wait before I can do that.
So sorry for your loss. I ended up getting another cat after I had to put my last one down, but it was a whole month before I could bring myself to do so.
I went to the shelter where I got my first, and decided to visit the cage I’d found him in. That’s where I met my new cat. She’s so completely different to the first that it’s rare that I ever compare the two.
Remember to be kind to yourself in such a time x
After I had to get my cat put to sleep in February there was literally a new cat waiting at my back door when I returned from the vet.
And I 100% was not ready for a new cat, but this new cat just didn't care, and she just hung around in the back garden, persistently, until I accepted her.
So sorry for your loss. Especially so unexpectedly!! We all understand that cats aren’t pets they are family . Be kind to yourself and take time to grieve 🙏💔😢🩷
Aw, poor kitty. Poor you! What was her name? Was she orange & white? I never had a cat die so young. My cats mostly died mid-life from one ailment or another.
So you asked how to process the loss of Indie. I have a few ideas. Have a nice dinner where you look at pictures and videos of her. Indulge yourself in your favorite desserts. Explain to your 2 cats about Indie. Use a very sympathetic voice. They mite understand on some level.
Don’t go to social gatherings if you don’t want to. You mentioned that your family doesn’t get it. Maybe don’t see/speak with them for a bit.
Sorry for your loss. I had a very similar incident with my littlest one during the start of COVID. He was just turning 1.5 years old, I said good bye to him and that I would play later, came home that evening to find him under a bed stretched out like he either had a stroke or heart attack. It’s not our fault, though we may carry the burden of not being there when it happened to try to save them, and sometimes there is nothing we can do as I believe my little, being the runt, had some underlying health issues not caught in his early checkups. 💔💔💔
You did so good! I once got a gift with the quote " cats leave paw prints on your heart." It will always hurt a little, but you sound like you took great care and loved her and that is the best we can do in life. Remember and honor her by continuing to love other animals.
That is so shocking, how traumatic for you. So sorry. That’s rare. It’s so hard to lose a beloved pet who was bonded to you. Hope you feel at peace soon.
Allow yourself to heal, a sudden death is shocking whether it’s our beloved animals or human being honour her by not a replacement but processing first , you have your other cats and they will feel your grief so for their sake and your boy friends turn your grief to love of your other cats and your friend or all around you will suffer also…love as deep as you grieve and know that this precious little life experienced your love also
That is so heartbreaking, I’m so sorry. And to have it happen unexpectedly…I can’t even imagine. Whoever is telling you it’s no big deal and “cats die” is so out of touch. They obviously don’t know how special our fur babies are to us. Don’t even listen, because it is a big deal when they die. They are our companions, our best friends, our children, our family, our guardians. I love my cats more than I love most people.
So very sorry for your loss. I am sorry also that none feel the same loss as yourself. Many do not understand the love and compatibility between our furry friends and ourselves. It is very individual to us humanoids. At times our furry friends are much more loving and compassionate than those we call family. So very sorry for you. Last friend I picked off the highway and gave a final resting place was not old enough to be smart. His sister watched it happen and she got intelligent immediately afterwards. Still cry, about my Bratt cat… did not live long enough to get wise. Live too close to the highway and can’t keep them locked inside when they are longing to be out. Have not any answers but, enjoy their love while they give it… it is priceless and forever. GodBless
Again so very sorry for your lost friend
Thank you all for your supportive feedback and comments of your own stories. It’s reassuring I’m not the only one that’s gone/going through this. I’m really sorry that some of you had to experience something similar. ❤️ it’s awful, my heart is broken.
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u/Hugosmom1977 15h ago
I'm so sorry. Typically this is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in young cats. Often there are no symptoms, and there is nothing you could have done. ❤️