i live in an apt with two male cats, one is an adult who has been neutered and a young kitten who today, has been neutered. now they've been integrated and where pretty much inseparable until i brought the kitty home today and now the adult cat will not go near the kitty, and when the young when comes near him, the adult will hiss and throw a fit. can anyone explain to me why this is happening and what i can do to help the situation?
2007-12-11 11:56:37 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
The kitten smells strange to the older cat because of the odors he picked up at the clinic.
You can put a small drop of kitchen vanilla on both the cats' noses and under their tails. That will make them smell the same and mask the strange odors on the kitten. Scented hand cream can work just as well.
2007-12-11 13:00:36 · answer #1 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the others, it is because the kitten smells like the vet's office. The older cat associates the smell with distress. Whenever I bring a cat to the vet, the others treat him/her like a social outcast for at least a day until they once again smell like home. Give your kitten extra attention, maybe take a clean shirt or towel and wrap him in it. This may help get the strange scent off of him sooner and the other cat will once again be his friend. If that doesn't work, it may take a few days but they will become friends again, it's hard but be patient.
2007-12-12 16:52:24 · answer #2 · answered by single_pedal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's been away and he smells different to your other kitty. Once he smells like himself again, all will be well in the world. It's not because he's neutered. A LOT of cats have this reaction when a partner cat leaves and comes back smelling different.
Most cats look very similar, so changing their smell can confuse partner cats.
Maybe try rubbing him with some of your laundry or with a favorite blanket. Might even help to sprinkle him with catnip.
Hope that helps!
2007-12-11 20:05:40 · answer #3 · answered by monicat79 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's normal, JC: The young cat smells like a veterinary clinic, and very few critters like those. Your kitties will become best buddies again when the smell wears off.
2007-12-11 20:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give it time, it's probably because your kitten smells different (has the scent of the vet clinic on him).
2007-12-11 20:00:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋