I was appalled when I realized why my cat was acting strangely, spending the entire day sitting on the gas stove and meowing.
My cat was acting strangely that morning. She usually sleeps until midday, idly shifting her paws while she does so, but that day she appeared agitated right away.
She remained in the kitchen all day. She was perched on the gas stove, meowing loudly and insistently, or hissing unexpectedly while looking at the wall every time I stepped in.
I thought she was simply playing or trying to get attention, so I picked her up and carried her out of the kitchen multiple times. However, she was back on the stove when I turned around, her eyes wide open as though she were trying to communicate with me.
I initially assumed she was hungry. She didn’t touch the food or her favorite snacks that I offered her. My cat had never turned down a “treat” before, so that was odd.
By nightfall, I began to feel terrible. I felt queasy, weak, and lightheaded. I assumed it was simply exhaustion or hypotension. But as the cat grew more and more angry, it began to annoy me by meowing loudly, rushing about the kitchen, and climbing back onto the stove.
I was appalled when I finally realized why she was acting in that way.
It wasn’t until late at night that everything became evident. My neighbor scowled and remarked, “It smells like gas in here,” as he entered the kitchen to borrow a tool. Very, very strongly.
We dialed 911. It was discovered that damaged pipes behind the stove were the source of the carbon monoxide leak. The symptoms I thought were tiredness were actually poisoning, and the gas had been gradually building up.
I still consider what may have occurred if my cat hadn’t been there. She had known from the beginning. Desperate to warn me, she hissed, meowed, and tried to keep me in the kitchen.
Fortunately, there were no major repercussions after we went straight to the hospital and were examined. However, I now pay great attention anytime my cat exhibits “strange” behavior.
She saved my life that day.
