You are here:

Cats/our kitty disfunction

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/3/2011


Question
OK=We adopted two cats from the same litter. 1 boy & 1 girl. We got them fixed at about 5 mo old. The entire time they have been the best of buds. Sleeping together, cuddling, eating together and never showed any signs of anti social behavior. They are a year now and the boy got out and lost for a day. My husband found him in a tree in our back yard where our 2 big dogs are. He had to get him our of the tree with a ladder and said that the boy was scared but came to him pretty easily, the cat was traumatized for a day or so but is on the mend. The problem is the girl cat. She wont come near him now and hisses and runs away if the boy cat is in the same room. The boy cat does not act any different other than he is healing from a couple of missing claws but he is tending them and seams fine. My question is why is the girl so mad at him and what can we do to get them back to where they were?

Your help is appreciated.

Sam

Answer
Hi Sam,

Your male cat got some strange smells on him. When he came back in she saw her brother but smelled something else altogether different. This confused her hence the her defensive behavior. You need to reintroduce him to her. Follow an introduction protocol.
http://www.sdhumane.org/site/DocServer/BT_Cat-Cat_Intros.pdf?docID=621

Try using some Feliway Comfort Zone. It mimics a cat's happy pheromones. It will help to calm them down. It will take a little time but they should be fine in a bit. Good luck and take care. Oh, don't take one to the vet without the other. Since this happened it could happen again and that is another area where you can the have the same reaction.

Ciao, Karen

Cats

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

Education/Credentials
I have an A.A.S.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.