I had my two cats Peexl and Peewe spayed on Friday 26th February 2021. So, it’s been a week now. But since we got back home, Peewe won’t accept her sister anymore.
We went back to the vet on Tuesday because we were worried. He gave Peewe some calming medication to take every day, as well as anti-inflammatory tablets because she had a bit of a temperature.
But the problem is they still aren't getting along. Peewe hisses, growls and swipes at her sister.
Does anyone know if things will eventually sort themselves out with time?
Because Peexl is crying for her sister all day long.
If you have any advice to help Peewe accept her sister better, or just anything to help them.
Kind regards.
And thank you for your help.
Translated from French
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Thanks for sharing your experience, it’s so interesting to hear how neutering can affect cat dynamics. Also, for anyone documenting their pets, using an AI image upscaler 4K can really enhance photos and make all the little details of your furry friends stand out.
Just give it time; our two are getting on well again now. The cat doesn't recognise his brother's scent. Best of luck to you, and playing with them helps them out a lot.
Just be patient, everything should get back to normal in a few days. You can try rubbing a clean cloth on the one who stayed at home, particularly around their muzzle, and then rub the one who’s been at the vet with it, especially around the face. It can sometimes help speed up the scent recognition process.
Hi there, I’m in the same boat. I’ve got two cats who are littermates, and one had to be rushed to the emergency vet. It’s been absolute warfare between them ever since Thursday 25th March...
Thanks so much to everyone for all your advice. It’s still a bit tense at home, but as you said, things will settle in time. We actually had a bit of a grooming session this afternoon, which is a huge step forward! Even though they hissed at each other afterwards, we’re already really happy with the progress. Thanks again for your advice, it’s really put our minds at rest.
Hi there,
As @Blue Cat explained, your girls unfortunately don't smell the same anymore after being spayed. This is partly down to the smells from the vet's surgery, and also because a cat's scent is linked to their hormone levels, which are altered by the procedure.
On top of that, these hormone levels can also impact a cat's confidence.
But don't worry. The calming aid recommended by your vet will help her get through this period, which is only temporary. Their scents have definitely changed, but since your cats live together, they’ll get used to each other again in time. It might take a little while, though: it took my cat and my girlfriend's cat about two weeks before they were living together happily again.
Best wishes,
Zachary.
Next time, try rubbing a bit of talc into their coats and then give them a brush. It’ll get rid of any unwanted odours and should help them get back on friendly terms much quicker 🙂
Thank you so much for your reply and your advice. We’re going to put your tips into practice straight away. I’m sure things will settle down in time, but it really is heartbreaking to see our little ones not getting on like they used to.
Hi there,
What's happening is a classic case of 'vet smells' syndrome. Peewe doesn't recognise her sister's scent and she's really stressed out, almost as if a completely strange cat was squatting on HER TERRITORY. Cats are territorial, and scent is essential for recognising those close to them (both humans and animals, as well as the familiar smells of their home).
Usually, everything gets back to normal once the smells from the vet's surgery have completely worn off. In the meantime, you can try rubbing a cloth over Peexi's cheeks and then rubbing it on Peewe's nose; this can help speed up the scent recognition. If the two of them got on well before the op, they’ll definitely get back to being friends.
