Expert: Brandy - 2/6/2007

Question
My two cats have always "loved" each other. The older cat took to the younger kitten four years ago and has been like a mother.  Yesterday, I took them both to the vet.  Got home and the younger one started hissing at the older "mother".  It upset me; I tried to hold her while the older cat came close but then SHE started fighting and it got ugly.  It's sad to see them fighting now since they've always been close and "cleaned" each other.  There was the smell of rubbing alcohol on the older cat as they drew blood.  Anyway, I have the younger cat in a separate room today.  Thought I might give the older cat a bath to get rid of any "vet" smells.  I'd appreciate any ideas you might have.  I want things to get better!! I plan on keeping them separate for awhile - should I just let them "work it out" instead? Thanks.

Answer
My first instinct would be to let them work it out. It's also an instinct for US to want to protect the one that we see as being picked on - it's happened to me on more than one occasion when for some known-only-to-the-cats reason, one will take after another ending in a full screaming to high heaven fight, then when I tried to protect one, I end up being the one hissed at.

I think that if the cats are usually indoors or don't go to the vet unless necessary, the trauma (yes, our little hissing fuzzballs are divas, even the boys) of going to the vet and getting shots and - ew - their temperature taken, can leave their nerves shot, hence, the hissy fit.

I think that bathing could help. Or to be easier on you, just try 'poofing' them with some baby powder, then brushing it completely out of their coats; I'm sure they'll both love the additional attention, and I have yet to meet the cat that doesn't love the extra grooming.

They'll come around. Good luck ;-)