behavior change

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Mrschief44 - 17 Sep 2004 00:40 GMT

I adopted 2 female cats from the shelter, Hannah B a 2 yr old spay female and
the other, Sara a 7 week old female(now about 5 months old). They got along
wonderfully, slept together and Hannah B was always grooming the baby and they
played all the time. Last night we had to take Hannah B to the Vet for some
tests, we had to leave her there for a few hours. When we picked her up last
night and brought her home Sara wouldn't go near Hannah B at all, she just hid
and when they did get close to each other Sara started to hiss, now this has
never happened before. Sara is a completely different kittie, I had thought
that it could be the scent on Hannah from the hospital so I bathed her with a
dry shampoo and then I took their shared blanket and rubbed it on both cats but
Sara is still be nasty, now I no the Hannah could really hurt Sara if she gets
pushed to far. Anyone have any suggestions as to what happed and what I can do
to stop this behavior.
Thank You
Dee

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Gail - 17 Sep 2004 01:02 GMT

I think you are correct that Hannah still has the scent of the vet's on her.
You can try placing some vanilla extract on both cats on the scruff of the
neck and the base of the tail. This will take a little time to work out, but
they will resume their good relationship. Don't despair.
Gail

>I adopted 2 female cats from the shelter, Hannah B a 2 yr old spay female
>and
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Thank You
> Dee

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Mrschief44 - 17 Sep 2004 12:38 GMT

Thanks Gail
I'm going to try thr vanilla this morning. Last night I switched Hannah &
Sara's beds and kept them separated and Sara had no problem sleeping in Hannah
bed all night, that's a start. Hannah is still traumatized from her stay at the
Vets and she can't figure out what the heck is up with Sara. I'm sure Sara is
just as confused about Hannah and all her new odors.
Thanks again
Dee

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graphics - 17 Sep 2004 01:15 GMT

Hi,

You might try placing some cloth object that contains the scent of Sara;
ie. something she sleeps on, and putting it in Hannas bedding. If she won't
sleep on it, rub it on her as often as you can. Your initial idea of bathing
her was a good one, but the scent hast to be prolonged for a few weeks. By
transferring scents, Hanna will pick up Sara's scent consistently, possibly
making it easier for Sara to accept Hanna again.

Good luck. I'm sure Hanna is upset and confused by Sara's behaviour.

> I adopted 2 female cats from the shelter, Hannah B a 2 yr old spay female and
> the other, Sara a 7 week old female(now about 5 months old). They got along
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Thank You
> Dee

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MacCandace - 17 Sep 2004 03:28 GMT

<< Good luck. I'm sure Hanna is upset and confused by Sara's behaviour. >>

It usually works out in 2-3 days. I'm sure they'll be back to normal soon.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human." (Loren Eisely)

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Mrschief44 - 17 Sep 2004 12:45 GMT

Hi Thanks for the advice, I took a clean dry wash cloth and rubbed it all over
Sara and then rubbed it on Hannah, I'll do that a few more times today. I
switched their beds last night and Sara didn't have a problem sleeping in
Hannah's bed so that's a start. Right now they are both laying down on the
lounge chair that's on the porch, that's a good sign, not touching but close,
no hissing from Sara yet.
I no Hannah is confused about Sara's behavior and poor Sara must think there's
a stranger in the house, I'm hoping in time Sara will realize that it's the
same Hannah and all will be well. I will try the other advice I received about
the vanilla.
Sara will be going in next month to be spayed so I'll probably go through this
again with Hannah.
Thanks again
Dee

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graphics - 17 Sep 2004 14:09 GMT

Hi Dee,

It sounds like you are off to a good start so far. Be patient, it could
take a couple of weeks for Hannah to accept Sara again. Why this is so is
anyone's guess unless you can get an anwer from a behavioralist.

I am glad to hear you are making progress. Give the "furry ones" a
little hug from me and tell them that my two cats are thinking of them.

") graphics

> Hi Thanks for the advice, I took a clean dry wash cloth and rubbed it all over
> Sara and then rubbed it on Hannah, I'll do that a few more times today. I
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Thanks again
> Dee

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