My cat is usually a champion sleeper, but one morning she was completely different. From the moment I woke up, she seemed restless and anxious. Instead of her usual lazy routine, she planted herself firmly in the kitchen and refused to leave. Her chosen spot was the most unusual part—she kept sitting directly on the burners of the gas stove, meowing loudly and persistently. Sometimes she would even hiss for no apparent reason, staring intently at the wall behind the appliance.
I thought she was just being quirky or maybe seeking extra attention. I gently picked her up and moved her to the living room several times, but the moment I turned my back, she would dart right back to her post on the stove. Her eyes were wide and alert, and it truly seemed like she was trying to tell me something important. I even wondered if she was hungry, but she turned down her favorite treats, which was completely out of character for her.
As the day went on, I started to feel unwell. I became lightheaded, nauseous, and overwhelmingly tired. I blamed it on low blood pressure or a long week. But my cat’s behavior only grew more frantic. Her meows became more urgent, and she paced the kitchen with clear distress. It wasn’t until a neighbor stopped by late that evening that the terrifying truth came out. He walked into the kitchen and immediately frowned, saying, “Do you smell gas? It’s really strong in here.”
We called for help right away. Emergency responders discovered a dangerous carbon monoxide leak from a broken pipe behind the stove. The symptoms I had were early signs of poisoning. My incredible cat had known the entire time. She was trying to warn me in the only way she could. Thanks to her vigilance, we got medical attention in time, and everyone was okay. I will never ignore my cat’s strange behavior again. She is a true hero.
