Anyone who has ever owned a cat can attest to how sometimes a cat just seems to “know” something that we don’t. We have all heard the stories of cats who have scratched at their owners, only for the owner to later discover that the area the cat scratched had a cancerous tumour.
There are also the stories how a cat seemed to just know that something was wrong, only for their owner to later have a seizure or even die. With stories like these, it definitely seems plausible that a cat can sense illness and even impending death.
Ever Wonder If Your Cat Can Sense Illness?
When I think of a cat correctly predicting death, I immediately think of Oscar. Oscar is a Rhode Island kitty who lives in a nursing facility. He is currently credited to have correctly predicted the death of over 50 patients there in the last five years. I first heard of Oscar when I read the book about his story, “Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat.”
The book is very much worth reading for anyone who loves cats and the mystery that surrounds death. Though the book lacks a scientific explanation for Oscar’s gift, it really does make us wonder how he does it?
So what does science say in regards to how cats, or even other animals, really do what it is they do? Well, one thought is that a cat is just reading the subtle cues that we give off without even knowing it. In Oscar’s case, he may very well be able to read a patient’s subtle changes to know instantly something is very wrong. Thus, he does his best to comfort them. Another idea is that a cat’s sense of smell alerts them to a particular smell given off by either illness or impending death.
Both of these ideas seem very reasonable and a great way to put a scientific explanation to what is going on. However, illness and death still remain a mystery in so many ways, which leads me to believe that cats, including Oscar, know a little bit more about what is going on than we do. What do you think?
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kathy downey says
Thanks for sharing this informative post,i believe Cat are special !
Ann says
My male cat loves my daughters little dog my girl has nothing to do with her that was until the dog got pregnant and then my girl cat would not let my boy cat near the dog she guarded her until after puppies were born then back to the onl ways
Sherry presley says
Twice this month my car has awoken me by biting me. Both times my blood sugar had dropped seriously low.
Kristen says
So impressive how much are cats can sense before we do!
C. Schwarz says
We had a very independent Tortie female that was very stand offish. She didn’t like being held or touched very much and preferred to sit opposite us on the couch and squint her eyes at us if she felt happy. We accepted her indifference to us as just the way she was. In 1991 I was in the very early stages of labour at home. She paced incessantly and kept looking at me anxiously. She kept jumping in my lap and meowing in my face as if saying “shouldn’t you be doing something?” She was more nervous than me and my husband (our first baby), After I came home with the baby she was back to her indifferent self. Weird…
Kristen says
Cats are brilliant and can definitely feel/sense things that even we can’t.
kathy downey says
I have been doing some reading on this and it’s amazing!
Patricia Tschida says
My cat “Cleo” knows when I’m sad or hurting and she WON’T leave my side. She is very loving and comforting. Also when someone comes over and brings a person I’ve never met, I now look to how Cleo acts toward that person. If she’s standoffish then that’s my cue to also be careful. Pat
Lisamarie says
My mum passed away 2 months ago, her cat deffacated on her bed the night she died, and now she always sleeps on items of my mums clothing.
HELENA LINDQUIST says
Great site. I totally agree with the idea that cats have a sixth sense on disease, death and illness. I have seen it. And the litter idea are terrific. Yes. Get a metal scoop. And, Yes, get clumping, Chewy Frisco brand rose litter. LOve it………I have 6 cats. Love every one of them.