A cat's life is very short, only a little over ten years, or even less. Here are six signs that a cat is about to pass away:
1. Looks listless: When a cat's life is coming to an end, it will often lie still, sleep for longer periods, and be awake for shorter periods. Even when awake, it will look listless.
2. Stiff limbs and difficulty walking: Before a cat dies, its body temperature will drop, its limbs will become cold and slightly stiff, making it difficult to walk. 
3. Decreased appetite: Most cats are greedy eaters, and even in their old age, eating is still very important to them. But if a cat's appetite becomes very poor, and it shows no interest in its favorite food, then the cat may be entering the final stages of its life.
4. Frequently hiding in corners: If your cat often hides and doesn't let you find it, it means it feels that its body may not be able to hold on for much longer.
5. Difficulty breathing: If you notice your cat breathing very lightly, even breathing through its mouth, and its heartbeat becomes very weak, as if it might stop beating at any moment, then it may really be leaving you.
6. Running away from home: The cat doesn't want its owner to be sad after it dies, or the cat wants to return to nature after death, to the place where its ancestors lived.
So if your cat runs away from home without warning, it might be because it knows its days are numbered.
