I really have to get this off my chest.

My eldest cat Janine went missing on monday, she was 19. We think that she hid under the house to die. I just keep having feelings of denial and guilt. You see, I got a kitten for christmas. And I have been spending more time with that little kitty than I have done with Janine lately. I didn't even get to say goodbye..
:(

Losing any pet can be hard, and I know how you feel. Just know that she is in a better place now.

Janine likely hid under the house not because she was upset that you didn't spend time with her, but because she didn't want you to see her in her last moments. I'm sure she'd rather you remember her as the happy spunky cat she was in her prime, and not a sickly old kitty during her final moments. Cats are very private animals, and they just like to hide how they're feeling, even if they're ill or injured.

The best thing you can do is just remember that she's no longer in any pain, and that you gave her a very happy and fulfilling life.

Keyori is absolutely right. Think of the happy times with Janine. How much you loved her. It's hard, but as long as you don't focus on when she was in pain, you'll find that eventually guilt goes away, and all thats left are the good memories you've allowed yourself to keep.

First of all, I'm terribly sorry about your cat. I can't imagine what I'd do if either of mine got lost, or passed away. =/

Don't blame yourself for her death. It sucks that you didn't get to say goodbye, but as other people have said, she didn't hide because she was upset with you. Just let yourself grieve and feel how you need to feel for a while, but don't be afraid of remembering the good times with your kitty.

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty. :(

I also had a cat who hid under the house for the very same reason. It was sad, but I think cats have this dignity they want to preserve, and they want to go out without a fuss.

It's not your fault that she passed on -- she was 19 years old after all. That's a LONG life for a cat. Just be sure to remember the good times you had with her, and keep her in your memory. :yes:

I'm sorry to hear about your cat D:
But I believe, that she hid, because she wanted you to be happy. I know, some cat's get jealous when there's new kittens in the house, but maybe she felt the time was right? There would be another cat to take care of you, so the loss wouldn't be as hard. She knew, that she could rest in peace, 'cause you wouldn't be too lonely without her.
I once had an desert rat who died right in the middle of his cage. That was unpleasant >:

I have two cats, and I can't imagine what is would be like to loose them. My family is really attached to them.
I'm sorry that happened to you recently.
Like said before, remember the good times : ) And remember that she was grateful to you for loving her and taking care of her.
And 19 is an amazingly long life, she must of been pretty healthy/happy to live that long.

I'm sorry about your cat. I've lost 4 so I kind of know how you feel. And everyone else is right, cats do like to hide when they are sick or injured. And there's also a good chance she preferred having you play with the kitten than the kitten pouncing on her. Just try to remember all the years she was alive.

Originally Posted by World Of Elegance

I'm sorry about your cat. I've lost 4 so I kind of know how you feel. And everyone else is right, cats do like to hide when they are sick or injured. And there's also a good chance she preferred having you play with the kitten than the kitten pouncing on her. Just try to remember all the years she was alive.

Yea, I agree. Cats don't hide when they are dying because they are upset. They do it because it brings them comfort and shelter and safety so they can die in peace and away from any kind of vicious animals and prying eyes.

When my cat broke her leg, she hid under my bed for 24 hours. I finally grabbed her and pulled her out of there because I knew something was wrong and she freaked out so badly when I did. She didn't want me to touch her because she was in pain and she just wanted to be alone. I had to though because I had to take her to the vet so she could get better.

Thankyou everyone, for your kind replies. It has been tough, but I've been strong for my little brother.

i know how hard it is lose you cat that means so much to you. it is worse when you can't be there for them in their last moments. when my favorite cat died, i couldn't be there cuz i was at school. T_T i think she wanted me to be there, but i'm just glad my mom was with her and she was in my room. i just couldn't belive i couldn't tell anything was seriously wrong, cuz the night before, she was so weak, she could barely make it into my room. even now, nearly 3 years later, if i sit in my room, i still feel like i'm going to hear her meow outside my door for me to let her in. T_T

that's so sad. I understand how you feel. You got to have a long time with her and she had a good long life though and she died knowing that you love her. She went under the house for peace and privacy and went to Sleep. I know you feel guilty that you didn't spend more time with her because you got the new kitten, but, you had no idea she was going to die so soon, and if you had known, you might have just stressed and worried until the day she died and the time would have been no easier. Of course you wanted to spend time bonding with a new kitten. I know your cat understood that, being wise in her old age, and she knew you loved her still, and I'm sure she didn't want you to worry. If it helps you, make a memorial for her, either a real one and or an online one. She died of natural causes at an old age and she loved you and knows you love her too. You can be at peace. It's kind of how I dealt with my grandma dying. She got to be 90, she was ready to pass on, we had good memories together, I wished I had spent more time with her, but I can't go back now.. she knows I love her and I know she loves me, and I know she was never lonely cause of our big family. Our family has always had tons of cats and its been sad every time they pass away of old age but now we just feel at peace if they were able to die peacefully and have lived a long happy life and we remember them.. miss them.. but I think over the years now I am able to accept death and flow with it and try to make the living part good :) My advice is if you feel sad and feel like crying, just go ahead! And talk about it and look at pictures. You'll feel better soon, trust me, things get easier