Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: NigelBC on February 10, 2009, 13:23:38 PM

Title: Sibling strangers
Post by: NigelBC on February 10, 2009, 13:23:38 PM: Hi - this is my first post, I hope someone can help me!

I had my six month old tom neutered yesterday. It all went very well except that his sister no longer seems to recognise him (she hisses and growls at him).

I appreciate that cats recognise each other by smell. However, my tom is very upset and confused by his sister's behaviour (they were very close and affectionate before). Could his smell have changed that much in 24 hours? Will she get over the change (I think she might be in season at the moment, which might not be helping matters).

Any advice or shared experiences would be very welcome...
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Dawn F on February 10, 2009, 13:25:09 PM: he probably smells of the vets - I bet in a few days they will be back to normal
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Christine (Blip) on February 10, 2009, 13:28:07 PM: :welcome: to Purrs, Nigel. Glad you found us and decided to join.

Your male cat will smell really funny from the veterinary surgery and your female cat will not like this - she'll be fine with him once the vet smell goes away, I'm sure. Will you be getting her spayed next?
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Janeyk on February 10, 2009, 13:30:54 PM: Hi Nigel :)

I've seen that happen often with my cats when they've been to the vet, as others have said I'm sure things will be fine once the smell goes :)
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: NigelBC on February 10, 2009, 13:34:54 PM: Thanks for your prompt replies!

Yes, she (Lola) is next in a couple of weeks. He (Sparky) is very good natured so I'm hoping that he'll be kind to her!

Nigel :tired:
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Dawn F on February 10, 2009, 13:35:29 PM: what cuties!
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Janeyk on February 10, 2009, 13:38:06 PM: awwww, they are lovely Nigel :Luv: :Luv2:
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Christine (Blip) on February 10, 2009, 13:39:51 PM: Quote from: NigelBC on February 10, 2009, 13:34:54 PM
Yes, she (Lola) is next in a couple of weeks. He (Sparky) is very good natured so I'm hoping that he'll be kind to her!

She'll smell funny to him too, at first, so be prepared for a repeat performance ;)

And I agree - Lola and Sparky are very sweet!
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: NigelBC on February 10, 2009, 13:44:28 PM: They are great kittens (small cats now really - they've just turned 6 months old). They came to me from the Celia Hammond Animal Trust - you can see more photos of them (and their mum and siblings) at http://www.flickr.com/photos/boxley/sets/72157609448202398/

Thanks again!

Nigel :shy:
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: sheryl on February 10, 2009, 14:47:26 PM: They are gorgeous and as soon as the vet smell wears off she will be fine with him again

Be a bit careful though if she is on heat because his sperm could still be "live" for a while after neutering and he could make Lola pregnant!
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: clarenmax on February 10, 2009, 15:59:09 PM: They are gorgeous, and :welcome: to Purrs ;D

I'm sure Lola is just wary of the vet smell, hopefully all will be back to normal very soon :)
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Stuart on February 10, 2009, 18:07:49 PM: :welcome: to purrs Nigel

your furbabes are :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:

as others have said, Sparky will smell strange after being to the vet's, in a short time Lola will come round ;)
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: NigelBC on February 11, 2009, 08:37:47 AM: :thanks: for everyone's comments yesterday.

Lola and Sparky seem almost back to normal this morning (she was grooming him rather than growling at him!)

All over until her visit in a couple of weeks!

Nigel :shify:
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Janeyk on February 11, 2009, 08:54:44 AM: that's good :)
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Sonnie on February 11, 2009, 09:26:34 AM: AWWWWWW bless their cotton socks and furry bums! :rofl: they are such cuties :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2: :Luv2:

My mother-in-law has two cats that are siblings, the exact same thing happened! be assured and take everones advice..... it doesn't last long,!!!

:welcome: to purrs nigel x
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Yvonne on February 11, 2009, 10:38:38 AM: Hi Nigel and :welcome: to Purrs

This behaviour will not last and they will be back to their old selves in next to no time. When my cat came back from the Vet after his op wearing a buster collar it terrified my little female half to death, she was absolutely petrified, but I knew this was normal but unfortunate after a Vet visit.

Pleased to have you on board and look forward to seeing you posting.
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: NigelBC on February 11, 2009, 14:15:35 PM: I think it was the collar (and bright red bandage) that freaked Lola out most.

I've attached a picture taken of the pair today sharing their mutual love of IT. Or rather, trying to catch the cursor as it darts around the screen. Sparky (the tom) is on the left, Lola to the right.

Thanks again for all your comments

Nigel
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: Yvonne on February 11, 2009, 15:08:55 PM: They are beautiful and it does not look as though there is any animosity there at all
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: NigelBC on March 21, 2009, 15:12:18 PM: I thought you might be interested to hear that Lola has now been neutered too; Sparky showed no difficulty in recognising her, although he is very good natured and would have regarded a strange cat as just some new entertainment for him!

You can see the latest pictures of them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/boxley/sets/72157609448202398/
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/boxley/sets/72157609448202398/)

:innocent:
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: MrsR on March 21, 2009, 15:20:17 PM: What beautiful cats you have and welcome to Purrs.
Title: Re: Sibling strangers
Post by: MrsR on March 21, 2009, 15:21:27 PM: BTW I love the Tired Tabbies photo on your link on the 2nd page :Luv: