Have you ever had a cat before or even another small dog or pet that is no longer with you either from passing on or by you giving them up?
They may have been just visiting. Even if that pet is still alive, kind of like an out of body experience.
Also, if previous residents of that abode had small pets same idea.
You might also have a totem of a cat or another small animal.
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Not so much now that I have moved to SC from NH, I used to 'see' my rabbit years after he died. Same with my cat, I used to feel her bump up against my leg every once in a while.