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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/my indoor cat got outside and now my other indoor cat hates him, but they use to love each other!

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/27/2009


Question
my indoor cat, Jelly, got outside for the first time, he was outside for 5 days and he came back home recently. my other indoor cat, Oats, now hates him and hiss;s at him and even at me, but b4 he got outside they use to love each other. Oats is even making weird loud noises and hes never made a noise before. im even getting a little scared of oats. i tried using wipes and perfume for cats to wash my cat because he doesnt like water but it didnt work. what else do u suggest i do for my cats to love each other again?

Answer
Jacky,

A cat goes by smell and not by sight recognition. The cat that was missing came home with different smells on him and the brother thinks he is a different cat.

As he licks himself he will replace his own smells. Though I've never tried it I've heard people have good luck in that situation by putting a tiny drop of vanilla on each cat's forehead so they smell the same. Also rubbing the non-missing cat with a towel and then rubbing the cat that came up missing with that towel helps.

I would not suggest using wipes or cat perfumes. That just puts additional smells on the cat.

Keeping them separated and doing introductions like they were new cats meeting may be necessary, but the problem should resolve itself in a few days.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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