Expert: Jessica - 10/1/2010

Question
QUESTION: I recently moved to Modesto CA from Santa Cruz CA in August. My two cats that are from the same litter and raised together both males and both are neutered. My Siamese: Benny has not come home for 5 days and his brother Button will not stop yowling as if he is searching for him. It is strange that Benny left and has not come back because he is super attached to me, he will even greet me by jumping in my car when I come home. Button has always been the submissive and shy cat that tails along, so I figured he needed a companion, so we saved a stray kitten maybe 2 months old. Button hisses and growls, but does just fine with strays outside??? So how do I get them to get along? It's sad enough I miss my Siamese but also for me to see Button sad kills me! 1 more Question the kitten has pretty awful breath but his mouth and tongue have no marks/swelling/discoloration. His teeth are sparkly white.

ANSWER: Hi Jessica,

Sorry to hear about Benny.

Button's reaction to the kitten is completely normal, especially considering all the other stress he's undergoing with the move and his brother's disappearance.  Moving, the loss of a companion and the addition of a new pet are all huge life changes.  Any single one can be expected to be met with mood changes, and certainly, it’s normal for a cat to react to a new addition to the home aggressively.  Button is feeling an extreme loss of control right now and also a sense of deep grief.  This would cause most any human to snap, and it works the same with cats.  

Even under the best of circumstances, cats should be kept separated from new additions to the home for the first several days to a week.  During this separation, scent transference can be used to try to introduce the cats indirectly.  To do this, you use a cloth to rub one cat along the cheeks, and let the other cat smell it.  Then do the same using a clean cloth with the other cat.  You may also feed the cats special treats or meals on opposite sides of a closed door.  The cats will be able to sense each other’s presence but won’t be threatened with a direct confrontation, and the meal will give them a positive experience to associate with one another.  

After the cats are at ease with the cloths when they are presented to them, and you have had them separated for a few days, you should try introducing them face-to-face.  Visits should be brief, no longer than 15 minutes, even if they go well.  This will prevent over-stimulation that can lead to the type of aggression you’re seeing.  Try to do visits several times a day, and if the cats do well, increase the length of the visits.  Most cats take about 2 weeks to introduce properly this way, although some cats will accept each other more quickly, and others will take longer.

As for your kitten’s breath, I suspect this may because he is at an age where he is cutting teeth.  Babies often have bad breath when they are teething.  If you notice drooling or the breath becomes excessively fishy, you should have him see a vet (if he’s due for shots, have the vet examine his mouth).  At times, a gum infection can take hold.

Best of luck!

Jessica



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your helpful,quick,and much appreciated advice. Today I noticed that the kitten's ears might smell; not too bad, but I also can't be too sure because his mouth is close, and you have already explained that part. I was just wondering if there's an illness with the two associated with another. Thank you.  

Answer
Ear infections can occur, which can cause an odor.  Bacterial infections cause a very foul odor which is rather indescribable.  When there is a very bad infection, it can smell like there’s something decaying in the ears.  Because the ears are connected to the throat, it’s possible for infections to spread between the ears and oral cavity, but infections can occur in both places independently.  Bacterial infections of the ears will require an oral antibiotic as well as an ear drop.

The most common reason for ear odor, however, is yeast.  Cats can develop yeast infections in the ears, and this has quite a strong odor, almost similar to bread dough.  Otic yeast infections require ear ointments to clear up.

I would suggest to use a cotton ball and your finger to swab out your kitten’s ear.  If there is any gray or brown build up or you can definitely narrow the odor down to originating from either of the ears, the kitty should she a vet for diagnosis and treatment.