I just got my 6 mo. old cats spayed and neutered. Before they were best friends now she hisses and growls at him and he growls back. Why are they acting this way and will they ever be friends again?
2007-01-23 02:26:56 · 19 answers · asked by shannon g 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
When I had both of my cats teeth cleaned, they acted the same way when I got them home. It really concerned me because it lasted a few days. I finally called the vet and asked him about it ande he said it's because of the scents they picked up when they were at the vet's office. To them, they were like complete strangers to each other. Eventually, the scent wears off, and everthing gets back to normal. But since you had yours spayed and neutered, you might want to keep a close eye on them; if they start to fight, they might rip out some stitches. But don't worry, they'll be buddies again.
2007-01-23 04:44:59 · answer #1 · answered by November 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since they've been at the vet and had surgery, they smell different to each other. Cats rely heavily on scent for identification.
Separate the cats from each other. Get a towel or soft cloth and rub it all over one cat, then rub it all over the other cat, and then rub it all over the first cat again, then all over the second cat. Then try reintroducing them.
You can also buy a product from the pet store called Feliway - if you get the plug-in diffuser, plug it in near where the cats spend most of their time. If you get the spray, spray it around the house on objects where the cats tend to spend time (don't spray it directly on the cats). It contains a synthetic version of the pheromones that cats use to mark their territory as home, and will help to calm the cats so they stop growling & hissing at each other.
2007-01-23 10:55:14 · answer #2 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same thing happened with my female and her son.
Got them fixed at the same time and over 9 years later they still hiss and spit at each other. Before they were fixed, they would sleep together, eat together, bathe each other and were best of friends.
On the other hand, I've had litter mates fixed at the same time with no long-term effects.
It definitely depends on the animals and how traumatized they were during the procedure. My mother and son were fixed in a mobile spay/neuter bus and may simply associate their trauma with each other being there and being awakened and under anesthesia at different times.
Good luck!
2007-01-23 10:36:47 · answer #3 · answered by dragonwing 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mean you JUST--as in, yesterday, or a day or so ago got them spayed/neutered, they are both rather sore and pretty much don't want to be bothered with. Just leave them be. As soon as they are both feeling a little better, they will be just fine. Now, the (pending) potential problem here may/may not be a few cat fights as they are vying for YOUR attention, and who's in charge. Rest assured---the female will win, she always does, he adapts. Hang in there--they'll work it out.
2007-01-23 10:37:57 · answer #4 · answered by sharon w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They'll get used to one another again. Give them a little time. Both cats probably smell different now to each other ever since coming home from the vet's.
2007-01-23 12:05:36 · answer #5 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The scent has changed on your cat from being in the hospital. It may take a few days to a week, but the cats will get back to being friends. I had the same thing happened to my cats when one had to go into the hospital and the other didn't. I thought they would never be friends again and It nearly drove me crazy. it's amazing how they can work out their own problems.
2007-01-23 10:31:08 · answer #6 · answered by Cherokee Billie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They smell funny from being at the vets office. You can just give it time, or you can try putting a dab of vanilla under the chin of each one of them, then they will smell the same when they go to greet one another. I have heard this works for a lot of cats.
2007-01-23 10:40:09 · answer #7 · answered by Lindsey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they smell funny after being at the vets office. They will be friends again, don't worry. Just give them a little time.
2007-01-23 10:30:17 · answer #8 · answered by Jessica H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Jessica; they really do smell different to one another, plus they've just endured a semi-traumatic experience. (One that must be done, nonetheless!) They'll be fine if you give them a week or two. And you've done the right thing by having them "fixed".
2007-01-23 10:33:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they will, just give them time. They each smell differently to each other due to the disinfectant and hospital smells. In a short time they will be back to their normal scents and able to recognize each other.
2007-01-23 10:54:46 · answer #10 · answered by jaws1013 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋