For one family in Holly Springs, North Carolina, a morning last year that could have been a tragedy turned out to be a miracle, all thanks to their hero cat.

According to local news outlet ABC11, a mother and her two children were taken to the hospital in the early hours after one of the children noticed their family pet cat making strange noises after her daughter woke them up and said the cat was making strange noises.

Without the cat's reaction to the leak, the family may have had a hard time surviving. "Carbon monoxide is equally lethal to all mammals, so if the content is high enough, pets and people can die," said Dr. Rachel Huck of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

While cats may not sense danger (Huck says felines will often run or hide in dangerous situations), pets may smell the gas and experience difficulty breathing as a result.

"Cats have a sense of smell that is five to 10 times greater than humans," Huck explains. "Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, but humans and animals sometimes smell other gases when they burn."

Pet owners should keep an eye on carbon monoxide detectors in addition to home carbon monoxide detectors, Huck urges. "Always keep an eye on your cat for any unusual behavior at home. It may feel uncomfortable, as this may be an indicator of a carbon monoxide leak or some kind of health problem that is more pet-specific."