CAT CRISIS! MY 2 CATS SUDDENLY HATE EACH OTHER!!!

[vern&shirl]

I have two inside house cats, Laverne and Shirley. Shirley is a lovey-dovey cat, while Laverne will be lovey on her own terms. They are sisters from the same litter and have been living together since they were born. They have always LOVED each other and NEVER fought!

A few nights ago, one of our doors came open while we were sleeping and in the morning, Shirley was standing outside, Laverne was inside. She came back in and when she did, Laverne hissed and growled at Shirley. She's been doing this for about 2 days now. She won't go near her sister now. We can see no other visible problems with either cat. They continue to eat, sleep, etc. but Laverne will not go near Shirley.

I have no idea how long Shirley was outside or where exactly she went. Laverne is terrified of the outdoors, so I have a feeling she stayed inside.

Any ideas on what is going on????

[violina23]

Well, I haven't experienced this myself (I only have one cat!), but from what I've been reading around here, perhaps when Shirley went out, she got another scent on her, and that is what's distressing Laverne.

[jessamica8]

Yes, it could be scent. This often happens when one visits the vet as well, although it is not always as prolonged; depends on the cats. You might try putting a drop of vanilla on each of them - this will make them smell more alike.

There was a similar issue in this thread, and there are a few more suggestions here:
http://www.catforum.com/viewtopic.ph...&highlight=vet

[Ioana]

It sounds like it definately has to do with the scent as Heather and Jessica have already stated. The vanilla trick is a great tip. If the animostiy between them doesn't stop soon enough then you should probably take more drastic measures and separate them in order to re-introduce them. Such cases are extreme from my experience..but just in case you might need to do so follow the directions from Dr. Jean's site on Cat to Cat introduction..or re-introduction

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?a ... roductions

Please let us know how it goes - best of luck

[Celebsilmare]

I know many people can't do this, but if you can and do, bathe your cats. I had to do this when one of mine escaped a few years back. It was the only thing that worked for me. My older cat met a boy cat while she was out (gladly she was fixed) and had his scent all over her. A nice bath later and the younger one didn't seem to have a problem with her anymore. Although they were both mad at me for a couple of hours.

[stephanie0122]

There was probably something that she smelled on the other cat that she didn't like or that made her uncomfortable. If she is not used to the outdoors, then she may be startled by all the smells that the other cat brought iin with her. Cats can small very well. The one cat ii have that doesn't go outside likes to smell all the others when they come in...i guess the smells are interesting to her...however if you say that your cat is scared of outside...this could be what caused it.
You could wash the cat...but cats really hate this(unless they are a docile breed ie:persian...and even then they still don't like it) and you will probably end up wetter than the cat when your are done...not to mention bittena nd scratched. I don't auctully recommend this...i think that if you leave that cats alone for a few days then the smell will subside and everything will be fine!