My best friend, my cat, died suddenly in his sleep, no warning... what happend??

We were together for 11 years. I had Santiago since he was I think about 1 month old. He came from under a bridge. This tiny fluffy thing. He grew into the most beautiful, big strong, soft cat. He has been with me through everything, moved with me acrossed the country 3 times, form the city to the desert, from the city to the mountains, to Patagonia. I loved him so much, he was my family. And two days ago I came back to find him in his favorite spot, on his little bed, on top of mine, with the afternoon sun warming him up. He was gone. He looked asleep but he was gone. No warning, non that I could tell... maybe he might have been sleeping a little more...but only now I think of it, it was nothing evident.  What happend? I am devastated.

I'm so so sorry for your loss, I hope you find your answers. 

Thank you lillypie... I just don't understand. My partner is gone.

He was a beautiful cat, I really hope someone might have some more insight into what could have happened, or maybe even a similar situation He could have been very quietly suffering for awhile. 

Sometimes kitties leave us when it's their time to go, whether we are ready or not. Your boy was a handsome baby, and he brought so much joy and light into your life I can't imagine he would want you to ever be sad [emoji]10084[/emoji]️ we don't always understand why they to, but he died a peaceful death, in his home, where he was very much loved and he knew that I'm sure. Prayers with you, and your new guardian angel.

I too am sadden to hear of your loss, and hope you will forever cherish the fond memories of the time with him in your life.

It is hard to breath. I loved him so much and it enfuriates me when people try to comfort me by saying " you will have another cat" as if they could replace a member of their family... specialy for me because me and Santiago, we were a family of two. I feel so orphan and not knowing what happend makes everything so not real. I am heart broken.
Thank you or your words, it does help to know that there are people who do understand that this is just devastating.

Sorry for your loss... I had a similar experience a few years ago. My ginger cat, and best friend of 8 years, left us, without warning, over night. We woke in the morning to find him, and he appeared to be sleeping, but he was already gone. We did take him to the vet immediately. We were in shock and didn't know what else to do. The vet told us that he most likely had a heart attack in his sleep, and they could not determine anything else to have been wrong with him. He was perfectly healthy. It could be possible that your best friend had a similar episode. 

Thank you Corbin, I think that is what might have happend... I should have been feeding him better, Thank you to all of you for your support and for answering. It makes this a bit more bareable. 

I understand how heartbreaking it can be, especially when it happens so suddenly, without warning. I found myself racking my brain, trying to figure out what I could have done better, or what I may have done that caused this; blaming myself. But in the end, you know the bond you truly had with your Santiago, and you have to remember the love you shared, and that Santiago knew he was loved. It also brought me some comfort to know that this kind of sudden ending is not painful for our pals, and could be one of the 'best' ways for them to leave us. Take comfort in the memories that you shared together (it sounds like you guys had quite the adventurous life!) I'm sure the community would also love to hear more about Santiago. There is a Forum here called Crossing the Bridge where you are welcome to share more about the story of your best friend. 

Thank you so much Corbin! Yes, we had tonds of adventures together. He went from a tiny wet kitten from under the bridge of the streets of Santiago, Chile, to a huge gorgeous master of cats in the rainforests of Patagonia. He spent the last 3 years of his life looking at beautiful mountains, glaciers, rivers. Quite and amaing hunter too. I will check out this forum. I am very greatful for your support. 

I'm so sorry for your loss. As much as it hurts right now, I wish this is how all my cats had gone. Especially after the last several months. I've only had one cat go this way. I woke up in the middle of the night, and he was stretched out on the floor, sleeping, like he always was. But then I touched his tail with my foot accidentally and... yeah, he was gone. No idea why. We didn't take him to the vet, but we did call them, and they said it was likely a heart attack or stroke in his sleep. But at least he very likely felt no pain. I would take solace in that thought. He went in his own bed, with the sun shining down on him.

I hope you will find it in your heart to offer another baby a home one of these days. It sounds like you have a lot of love in your heart, and that is one of the most sincere ways to honor a lost pet - to give a home to another.

Thank you! I really hope he felt no pain. I gave him a beautiful funeral and he is now in a beautiful place that will for ever be Santiago's corner. I love him with all my heart.

How beautiful! It looks very peaceful. He was a very handsome tuxedo cat!

Regarding getting a new friend... After the sudden loss of my ginger cat, Muffin, I was very heart broken, and even though my friends would say, 'get another cat', I just knew it wouldn't be the same. It wasn't until almost 5 years later, that another ginger kitten came into my life. I was NOT looking for a pet, but I just felt it, I knew that I should give this poor little street kitten a good forever home. 3 years later, my beautiful Laredo is my big boy (and a big brother) and I love him with all my heart. He never took Muff's place, but he's got a spot in my heart right next to Muff.

That being said, in my opinion, I wouldn't just run out and find another kitty. But keep yourself open, and maybe another kitty will find you. Wishing you peace during this emotional time!

Sorry for your loss! 

Unfortunately cats like humans can die prematurely. 

It's possible he had FIV. My mother had a cat who died around 13. She had him tested for FIV and it came up negative. When he started getting sick, the vet tested him FIV and discovered he was positive. 

Also I noticed that street cats tend to live shorter than shelter cats (at least in the multiple cats I had in my family.) My cat Zonker was a shelter cat who lived to 20 and my cat Banshee was a street cat who lived to 15. My cat Gamos is 20 was also a shelter cat. 

I know what you mean. I think I will eventually be open to the idea of opening my home to another fluffy thing that needs a home... but as you say, right now all I think of all day is Santiago. Thank you for your lovely words and for taking the time to comfort me. You are very generous and I really appreciate it.

Thank you Lara, I don't think it was FIV as he did not have any signs or symptoms. He was as healthy as he always was, hunting, and eating properly, drinking water... I am now thinking that the most probable cause was either a heart attack or a stroke in his sleep. 
 

I'm so sorry about your sweet kitty. I lost my best kitty friend unexpectedly and cried for days and didn't want another cat. One month later a stray kitty was brought to me. It did help me to care for this poor stray kitty. I've had her for 16 years and still counting. Your baby loved you, you gave him a wonderful life. Peace to you.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby. I so understand the feelings of a sudden and unexpected loss. I lost my baby boy Benji at just 10 months suddenly overnight. Like you I kept wondering what I'd missed. I'm glad you have lots of fond memories to one day look upon with a smile instead of the tears, but I know how much it hurts at the same time. Sending hugs your way.

thank you Tobilei... I am on day 5 now. Still hurting and numb at the same time. I am so very sorry for your own loss. I can still feel my Santiago, can't even wash my teeth without thinking of him,