Cats likely have some awareness that they are dying, though they do not understand death conceptually as humans do. They show behavioral changes such as withdrawing, hiding, decreased grooming, loss of appetite, and seeking solitude, which reflect an instinctive response to declining health rather than conscious knowledge of death. Their heightened senses, particularly smell, may enable them to detect chemical and physical changes in their body as death approaches. Some cats may also seek comfort from familiar humans in their final hours. Overall, while cats may not "know" in a human sense that they are dying, their behavior indicates an innate awareness of their failing condition and approaching death.
