Tears as Dog Senses Dying Cat 'Doesn't Want to Be Alone' During Final Days
Dogs are compassionate creatures, and they never fail to amaze their owners. One has recently left the internet in awe as it seems to know its fellow pet is dying.
In a viral TikTok video shared by owner Pasha Marlowe [@neuroqueercoach], the dog can be seen sniffing around the cat who is sitting on the sofa. Marlowe's voice can be heard saying that the 16-year-old feline is suffering from kidney disease and is going to be put down.
Marlowe adds the cat is always upstairs and the dogs are usually downstairs, and they've never crossed paths. She says that the cat joined them as a one-off, and the dogs didn't growl and were "completely silent" and decided to hang out with her.
During the clip shared on October 19, the dog seems to be approaching the cat with caution. The on-screen text reads: "Is this normal end of life behavior?" The video is captioned: "Anyone have any insight on this? They have never been so calm and quiet. I've never lost a pet before, so this is a new kind of heartbreak." The clip has over 118,000 views.
Veterinarian Dr. Anna Foreman told Newsweek: "Animals do not have a sense of mortality like humans do; they are not aware of their life span, or, when they are unwell, that they are dying as such."
Foreman, who is based in the U.K. and works for Everypaw Pet Insurance, said animals feel pain and discomfort when they are feeling unwell, but they don't know they are near the end of their life.
Foreman added: "Other animals in the house, however, are very sensitive to other animal's, and human's, physical status. It is well known when a human is unwell, pregnant or even dying, animals will either avoid them or will pay extra attention to them.
"This is an instinctive behavior; pack animals will either care and nurture the unwell, or they will leave them, depending on the likelihood of a recovery," Foreman said. "With the dog here, they are very aware the cat is unwell; the cat normally reacts to the dog, according to the commentary on the video. And so, the dog will have picked up on the fact the cat is not exhibiting its normal behavior and be responding to this.
"It very much depends on the 'well' animal's personality as to how they will react; more nervous and reserved animals are more likely to avoid an unwell pet. However, those who are very bonded or confident are more likely to pay the unwell pet extra attention," Foreman added.
Saying goodbye to a pet is hard, and even other pets in the household appear to feel the pain, too.
Foreman said: "If an animal has been euthanized or passed away at home or at the vets, if they have another animal who is particularly bonded to them, then it is a good idea to let them see their companion's body. This will help to prevent seeking behavior and the subsequential depression and anxiety often exhibited by animals who have lost a companion."
Hundreds of pet owners have commented on the video, and they disagree with Foreman.
One user wrote: "They know, and your cat knows too. This is them making peace and saying goodbye. They will look for her when you come home and she doesn't."
"She didn't want to be alone," posted another.
"Very very normal and so respectful. I'm so sorry for this experience. They know what's happening, they care for u and the cat who is transitioning," commented a third user.
Newsweek reached out to @neuroqueercoach for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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