UK Pet Cat 'Maggie the Persian Kitten' Detects Owner's Epilepsy Seizures 8 Hours in Advance

A cat from the United Kingdom called Maggie the Persian kitten, became the protagonist of a bizarre animal story last year when she detected her owner's epilepsy seizures 8 hours in advance, according to a report earlier this week. It is unclear how the UK pet cat was able to feel the seizure attacks even before it happened, but the fluffy feline may have used her "super senses" during that time.

Pet dogs or trained canines are widely known for detecting not only hidden objects but also life-threatening medical conditions, as well as ailments and diseases. However, experts also argue that cats can tell if a person is sick or not, just like dogs.

Anecdotal evidence also shows that both pets use their super sense of smell to determine even what is going on inside a person's body.

In this context, it is likely that other animals, especially mammals, can also detect biological changes or anomalies occurring inside the body. However, detecting symptoms of a medical condition several hours ahead, just like the case of Maggie the cat, is a rare case. Related incidents before recorded instances where animals, including avians and reptiles, detect natural disasters head-on.

UK Pet Cat Saves Owner

UK Pet Cat 'Maggie the Persian Kitten' Detects Owner's Epilepsy Seizures 8 Hours in Advance — (Photo : Photo by Tilson glanny Dsouza on Unsplash)

Molly Brooke, the owner of Maggie the Persian kitten, suffers from an average of as many as nine epileptic episodes each week, leaving her body stiff and experience an "uncontrollable tingling" both in her arms and legs. The medical condition is not a surprise now since Brooke has been diagnosed with epilepsy since she was eight years old.

Unable to have a normal life, Brooke in September 2023 bought Maggie (who was a four-month-old kitten at that time) for $365. Little did the 30-year-old UK woman know that her feline companion will soon save her life for the next epilepsy episode. One of the signs that the Persian kitten may have sensed her looming attack is when Brooke observed her companion's behavior changed before her seizures.

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Epilepsy Seizures Detected in Advance

The UK pet cat was in a state of manic mode and playful behavior during the first week she was with Brooke. In a video report uploaded on YouTube on Monday, January 15, Brooke noticed that the high energy shown by Maggie suddenly diminished.

The cat owner stated "She then calmed down completely and went into monitor" as the cat refused to leave her side.

Brooke realized the reason that the kitten kept following her inside her home was that Maggie was just looking out for her since cats can sense or feel chemical changes in the body.

Experts support this evidence, highlighting that cats can sense "changes in our breath, skin, and urine" which can lead to a potential illness. There are even cases where cats alert their owners that they have lung cancer and breast cancer.