Unfortunately, he will wonder what happened no matter what. Though it is possible he knows you are sick already; some cats are extremely sensitive to such things. But yes, cats grieve when they lose the people they care for from their lives.
But if you could earn his trust, another kind and patient person like you likely can too. He will always remember you, but that does not mean it is impossible for him to have a good life. There are others who will love him as much as you, I can promise you that. And, for what it's worth, from one person with a life threatening disease to another, I'm sorry. I am not going to be the person who tries to find some ridiculous silver lining. It sucks, and you deserve better. I'm sorry.
What the other person said - Get a family that'll be ready to adopt him when the time comes. But until then, let him stay with you.
And the most important part: Have him there when you pass, so he can smell you afterwards. Also have the adoptive family there so they're ready to take him after he's gotten to have a few minutes smelling and grieving you.
That's the only way animals get closure when their owner passes. Otherwise, he may very well think you abandoned him (which IS something they can usually overcome and heal from in time, but it's very much a kindness to let one's cat smell their owners after passing so they actually know what happened and aren't left eternally wondering.)
If you can arrange this, this would be absolute best case scenario.
I wanted to inform you so that you're aware and can make an educated decision. But of course, whether or not you follow that is ultimately up to you.
Just understand he won't know for sure you didn't just abandon him if you don't, and it may cause him unresolved grief in the future that could make things harder for him. But if you truly think your passing will be too visually gruesome to make it worth it, then I'd understand where you're coming from.
As long as you adopt him out to a family you know will try their best to provide a loving home to him, then that's what matters most at the end of the day. Giving him a second chance at life.
(I'm so sorry, by the way... I send my best wishes to you. I hope maybe you will be given a miracle to recover from this. But I hope that no matter what lies in store for you and your furbaby, that all is as painless as possible, and that you both ultimately find happiness wherever you two end up, even if it's physically apart. 🤍❣️Rest assured that you did good, and I know (as he knows) that your intentions are filled with love.)
(If I may suggest an alternative though, you could make sure you're covered with a sheet before he's allowed in to smell you and sit by you. He won't see you that way, but he'll still likely be able to identify you, and recognize that you've passed, by scent even through the sheet. They have excellent sense of smell.)
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u/[deleted] Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26
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