If you have a multi cat household, chances are you’ve had this experience. You take your cat to the vet and when you return home your other cats act as if you brought a stranger with you.
The last time Sammy came home from the vet, Teddy circled him and hissed. Poor Sammy didn’t know what to do.
Why does this happen?
Cats don’t recognize other cats by site, even if it is a sibling. They go by scent.
Sammy’s scent was replaced by other scents at the vets. It could be alcohol if blood work was done, medications applied during the visit or a disinfectant.
Signs of an Attacking Cat (Left Behind):
Staring with constricted (small) pupils
Raised hair along the shoulders and tail
Facing the returning cat and appearing ready to pounce
Signs of a Defensive Cat (Returning to the Household):Dilated pupils: the center (iris) of the eyes opens so that the pupils become large
Ears pressed back against the head
Arched back
Raised hair along the shoulders and tail
Facing the aggressor sideways
Hissing, spitting, and/or growling
Rolling onto back to fight if there’s no escape
via Nonrecognition Aggression in Cats
What to do?
I wiped away the strange smells from Sammy’s fur with a damp cloth. Then I took one of his blankets and rubbed it over his fur. It didn’t take long for Teddy to realize that his brother had returned.
If your cat becomes too aggressive towards the other cat, put them in separate rooms until you can remove the vet scent.
Pheromones may help the situation. You can get a spray or diffuser from a pet store or your vets. There are many brands to choose. I purchased Feliway from my vets, so next time I will see how it works in this type of situation.
The Cat Corner 