I have two 5 1/2 month old cats. Ones a girl Felix. And ones a boy Salem. They are from they same litter. And they have never been apart from each other. Well today was there first day away from each other. I had to take salem to the vet to get him nurtured. And Felix was without her brother for 8 hours. Well when I brought him home felix has been mean to him. Hissing at him, growling at him, and She even smacked him with her paw! Usalley they are the best of buddies. Does anyone know why she is doing this? And is there anyway I can get her to stop? He's had a ruff day and now he has to come home to her being mean! I feel bad for the little guy!
2006-12-20 16:40:16 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
>They think that they're married...all the facts fit.<
2006-12-20 16:42:40 · answer #1 · answered by Druid 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
When a male animal is 'fixed', especially at a young age, they present a different hormone than that of a 'normal' male. Most times it represents that of a female and his sister now feels threatened by this 'new' animal. Salem is giving off a weird scent to Felix right now. It's best to let Salem heal, but at the same time, they need to still interact so Felix recognizes him. Just make sure you are around them when together or Felix just might go after poor, poor Salem! She'll probably get over it as time goes by and Salem begins to emit the 'gelded' scent.
I personally don't think that animals should be 'fixed' that young. It doesn't allow them to develop their personality, but it doesn't hurt. You didn't do a bad thing by any means. Good for you! They're brother and sister, they'll get along again. Just give her some time to adjust to this 'new' animal around her.
Good Luck!
2006-12-21 00:52:00 · answer #2 · answered by macncletus 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A) you need to keep the cats seperated to begin with because Salem needs to recover from the anesthesia.
B) he smells different right now because an important part of his body was sterilized and now he doesn't smell like the same cat that went away this morning. A way to help combat the smell is to rub his fur down with a clean blanket or towel that will help neutralize the smell of the vet office. He needs to be kept pretty clean, but if you give them both time, she'll recognize him and they'll be back to being pals.
2006-12-21 02:34:08 · answer #3 · answered by oh_shotdown 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Felix can probably smell the other cats/animals on Salem. It's normal for her to react this way. Sure, he looks like her brother, but he doesn't smell like him. Give her a couple of days, and everything will be back to normal.
2006-12-21 00:49:39 · answer #4 · answered by Mona 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have experienced the same issue. Cats recognize each other through smell as well as sight. He doesn't have the same smell because he is neutered. The musky pheremones she could smell before are gone so she isn't recognizing him. It may take a few more weeks for her to get used to him again. But I don't think it will be a long lasting problem. If it continues I would give my vet a call and ask for a few more suggestions. Good luck.
2006-12-21 00:46:22 · answer #5 · answered by omegalibra927 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
HI...When I have had to bring home a pet from the vets.. you might even smell the different orders, that have been used during the surgery...also, the smells from the office / animals coming/going.. I kept my pet in a quiet place,, && even try to give some kind of "dry/wet wipe off bath".. to eliminate the some of the smell.. give her lots of love & let her come to him..but keep him away until she has calms down.. since they have been together, i'm sure the oders are upsetting her...
2006-12-21 01:04:04 · answer #6 · answered by OSOQUTE 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would have named the boy Felix and the girl Salem. You mean neutered? Hm. I don't know why she is hissing at him, but I'm sure if they were best buds then they'll get along again soon.
2006-12-21 00:43:45 · answer #7 · answered by the Boss 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's because the cat has the scent of other animals on him and she doesn't recognize it. When I bring home one of my two cats from the vet and the other cat becomes hostile, I lightly spray perfume on each of them so they smell similar. It usually works or you can separate them for a few days and things should get back to normal. Cats like to protect their territory and don't like ANYTHING that's different!
2006-12-21 05:55:46 · answer #8 · answered by cats 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should nurture both of your cats!! Seperate them for a day or so until your friend heals....he was neutered, by the way!! Good luck!
Nurture - Although "nurture" has historically been referred to as the care given to children by their parents, in particular their mother, it is now widely regarded as any environmental (not genetic) factor in the contemporary nature versus nurture debate. This includes the influences on development arising from prenatal, parental, extended family and peer experiences, extending to influences such as media, marketing and socio-economic status. Indeed, a substantial source of environmental input to human nature may arise from stochastic variations in prenatal development. Additionally, although childhood experience (especially early childhood experience) is often regarded as more influential in who one becomes than post-childhood experience, a liberal interpretation of "nurture" might count all life experience as "nurture".
In animals, castration (removal of the testes) and salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes), called "neutering" or "spaying" when applied to pets, are used to reduce or eliminate sexual behaviour, and to prevent conception, heat and possible uterine diseases in females, potentially prolonging an animal's lifespan. Due to the hormonal changes involved with both genders, this will definitely cause minor personality changes in the animal. When these changes are undesired, a different method of sterilization can be used, such as vasectomy in males or tubal ligation in females. A typical example of this practise is when male cats are subjected to vasectomy so that they are able to mate with females, thereby "bringing them off heat" (terminating estrus). This keeps the condition of the female from deteriorating due to the extra energy that is expended during estrus. A vasectomized male cat is called a "teaser tom" by cat breeders
2006-12-21 00:42:31 · answer #9 · answered by ladyw900ldriver 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He probably has the smell of surgical prep noticeable to the other cat. It will wear off and he will be fine. Cats are not people and cannot be held responsible for their actions. Have a purrrfect Christmas.
2006-12-21 00:44:46 · answer #10 · answered by firestarter 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ah, i think you mean neutered? i presume youre already giving him all the NURTURING he needs at home...........sounds like there might be a smell on him that he picked up at the animal hospital that is strange and maybe a little threatening to his sister. give him a bath if you can, or just let it wear off.
2006-12-21 00:44:03 · answer #11 · answered by mickey 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋