Hissing at newly neutered brother......

George was neutered on thursday and everything went well. He's doing fine and has been eating and using the litter box. We're keeping him separated from his sister, whom he usually bunks with, to minimize his activity for the first few days after surgery. We've brought them together for short visits, though, and Addie has been hissing at him. Also, making that whimpery yowling noise in her throat once she gets going. We had a similar experience when Sammy and Lola got together after Lola was spayed. We figure it's just that, what with metabolising all that anaesthetic and pain medication, George's smell is probably a little off. I'm sure it'll pass in a few days, but in the meantime, they're each living alone in a bedroom (neither can be out with Sam, Lola and Max, as the dog hasn't fully accepted them and is still far too interested. Short visits are okay but he still wants to nose them and sometimes tries to mouth them, so anything where our full attention can't be on Max and the kittens is a definite NO GO.).

This means lonely kittens, particularly Addie who is very vocal even under normal circumstances. Now, she basically sits in there and meows for long periods when we aren't in there. We've been spending lots of time with them, but I can't be in there all the time. Any suggestions on what to do to help her relax?? Or to help her realize that funny smelling guy is just her brother, George?

It does take time for them to become recognizable. One technique that helps is to dab a little real vanilla extract on both cats' chins and near the base of the tail. That way they smell alike.

I know it is hard. Lucy adores Much. When Much came back from surgery, Lucy hissed and avoided her but wandered around the house moaning, looking for her beloved Much. It took about a week before Lucy recognized Much.

I am having the same problem w/my oldest cat, he is hissing & growling at the youngest since I brought him home from bring neutered. The youngest one is starting to hiss back. I have seperated them, trying to re-introduce them again. I did put vanilla on both of them, he is still hissing at him. Should I just let them be together & work it out on there own? I am very upset about this. I am 7 months pregnant & it worries me that he is going to be like this w/the baby. He has always been a very sweet cat, & to me he still is.

Originally Posted by vgapeach

I am having the same problem w/my oldest cat, he is hissing & growling at the youngest since I brought him home from bring neutered. The youngest one is starting to hiss back. I have seperated them, trying to re-introduce them again. I did put vanilla on both of them, he is still hissing at him. Should I just let them be together & work it out on there own? I am very upset about this. I am 7 months pregnant & it worries me that he is going to be like this w/the baby. He has always been a very sweet cat, & to me he still is.

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How long since your youngest was neutered? Continue with the re-introduction and allow them supervised time together. Have a blanket or towel available so you can seperated them if necessary. Also, consider getting Feliway diffusers. Put them in places where the cats normally hang out.

There are a lot of members with children so you may want to create a new post about introducing the baby to the cats. I have heard that it is a good idea to start introducing baby smells to them early (like baby powder, shampoo, etc). Also, if someone can bring home a blanket that has the baby smells so they become familiar with the smells before the baby actually comes home. Again, use some Feliway diffusers.

He (Satin) was neutered just this past Thursday. I had no idea this would happen. This morning he (Bisquit) the older cat did paw at Satin under the door, but as soon as I opened the door a bit Bisquit started hissing again. Should I try to put vanilla on them again? Thanks for your advice on the baby, I will try that.

The extract works but it is a reapplication process. You have to do it several times a day. The other cats are hissing because the vet cat smells like everything they are afraid of. The stress pheremones in the air at the vets settle on the cat's fur to add to his own. His own normal scent is altered by stress, pain, and medications he was given both before and after the surgery. Don't put them together until you know there is no problem with the neuter/spay site. If they tangle the surgerized cat needs to be able to hold his own. Hissing is normal, the other cat has no idea who this "new" cat is because the scent signature is so changed. Cats don't use their eyes in their lives as much as they depend on their unique sense of smell.

Well, I thought they were making progress, but Bisquit seems to be hissing more now under the door, espically when I am in there with him. If I am not in there they will paw at each other a little under the door, but his is still hissing. This is the 4th day, I am really stressed about the situation. Am I doing all that I can? I put vanilla on both of them yesterday about 3 times, but I believe that Satin is licking all of his off as soon as I put it on him. Should I switch them out as far as who I am keeping in the other room? I want things to get back to normal. I am trying to put them together when I am home but Bisquit just hisses & growls & runs, & of course Satin chases him & cries b/c he does not understand why Bisquit is not liking him.

try putting the vanilla on the nape of his neck. they can't reach that to lick it off.

It is expensive, but you may want to try a Feliway diffuser in the room where you are keeping the one isolated. Then try swapping them a couple of times a day so they each have them time to smell up the house.

Well, Good news on the home front!!!! My boys are normal again !! They are playing & chasing each other around the house as I type. Thank you so all so much for your help. I am so relieved that they are getting along again.

This reminds me of when I got my cat neutered. It was the first time I had taken him to the vet since I had gotten my other kitten who is about three monthes younger. I didn't know that cats would react that way and I brought him home and let him out of the carrier and these are two cats that had gotten along very well from the beginning when I brought my little girl cat home and she inched up real slow then crouched down and started hissing. I even called the vet's office because I didn't know what was going on.