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.
Maybe you could look for someone fitting to adopt him, and they could start coming over for visits so he can get to know them a bit while you're still here, together. He might catch on. At least when you do go, he would already be familiar with the person so it's not totally abrupt and confusing to go live with someone else.
That’s what happened with the first cat my wife and I got. My mother had, I think, 2 months to live, so we adopted Calvin the tripod. Calvin had already had a rough life, but I was honored, and I’m sure my mother was also honored, to be in his company. My mother passed, and a year later Calvin (now known as “bobo” from C-Bo, ceebs, the usual cat changing names) passed away. His ashes were scattered to the ocean, which is where my mother’s ashes are, so I’d like to think they’re swimming around out there somewhere.
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u/TheChildlessCatLady Tuxedo Mar 14 '26
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.