Cat hissing at our other cat

by Sheri
(Stikney, IL)

I have 3 cats. I took my youngest cat to the vet yesterday for a sore on her neck. We were literally only gone maybe a half hour. When we came back, my male cat, who is the middle cat, will not stop hissing and growling at her. These two were like two peas in a pod, constantly playing together. Now the youngest one will not come out from under the bed. The oldest cat I have never liked the youngest cat and has always hissed at her and ran from her, but she hasn't hissed and growled at her since we came back from the vet. I'm just confused because the one that did get along with her is now hissing at her. I tried chasing him away from her, but he turned around hissed and growled at me!

Answer by KAte
Hi
Don't worry this is a common issue. it is called trauma aggression. Basically your cat smells differently from coming from the vets and this has frightened your male cat (aggression is often a sign of fear rather than anything else).

The best way to get them used to each other again is to firstly rub the cat that went to the vets with something that they used to sleep on. this will return her scent to normal. then you will need to do a period of re introducing them to each other. this will build there confidence back in each other in as safe environment. I have a page about cat introduction here
https://www.our-happy-cat.com/introducing-cats.html

Hopefully the process won't take too long and that they will be back to their old selves soon

best wishes Kate

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