Hissing at Sister

As some of you know my cat Sabbath is battling Fatty Liver Disease/Pancreatitis etc. (http://www.thecatsite.com/t/278113/relapse-fighting-against-fatty-liver-disease). She is now home after being hospitalized and has a feeding tube.

I am trying to get her sister Ichabod to stop hissing at her. 

Any remedies you have found to work? Someone told me to wipe her down with fabric softener sheets now and then when I bring her back from check ups to wipe her down a little again. The thing is she also has a bandage now around her neck to cover the stoma and tube. She has to go in every so many days and have that changed. Even I can smell the vet on it. So I don't know how this is going to get any better until she is better. And we really don't know how long that is.

I saw they sell some type of Kitty Collar online for cats with tubes. I was going to ask the vet about it because those can be thrown in the wash. Just not sure if the vet will want her to have something like that though. We have also spent like $1700 on things so far so throwing another expense in the mix would have to be if its really worth doing.

When she does it we tell her "no" in a stern voice but we also know Ichabod is confused. Not only because her sister is sick but she has been at the vet etc.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I know this is only stressing Sabbath out more and now poor Ichabod is stressing as well. The last thing I want is Ichabod to stop eating or marking the house etc.

Have you tried a Feliway diffuser?  If it works, it really works wonders.

Feliway I have heard can really help in stressing and anxious cats so like @Mani   said it may be worth a go. The other thing you could also try with Ichabod is to get her a calming collar this may help keep her calmer at this stressful time. Obviously these will both incur a cost which I gather you would most likely want to avoid so you can use all available cash for Sabbath's treatment. If that's the case try rubbing Ichabod down with a clean and fluffy towel then rub Sabbath with the same towel so she has Ichabod's scent on her it may help Ichabod not see Sabbath as a threat or something new because she no longer quite smells like herself or your home. I hope Sabbath has a speedy recovery from her relapse of fatty liver disease and that Ichabod calms down enough soon to make this less stressful on all of you. Major vibes for the kitties   and a big old hug for you 

Mani said:

 
Have you tried a Feliway diffuser?  If it works, it really works wonders.

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We already have one in our house at all times. I might go get some of the spray again. I used that when we did some house repairs and when we got new furniture and it helped alot. It also helped once when Ichabod was marking the house before we got her fixed. I think I might pick up another bottle when I hit up Pet Smart this week for more food. Which will be today or tomorrow. 

StephieDoodle said:

 
Feliway I have heard can really help in stressing and anxious cats so like @Mani   said it may be worth a go. The other thing you could also try with Ichabod is to get her a calming collar this may help keep her calmer at this stressful time. Obviously these will both incur a cost which I gather you would most likely want to avoid so you can use all available cash for Sabbath's treatment. If that's the case try rubbing Ichabod down with a clean and fluffy towel then rub Sabbath with the same towel so she has Ichabod's scent on her it may help Ichabod not see Sabbath as a threat or something new because she no longer quite smells like herself or your home. I hope Sabbath has a speedy recovery from her relapse of fatty liver disease and that Ichabod calms down enough soon to make this less stressful on all of you. Major vibes for the kitties 

 and a big old hug for you 

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I just commented on the Feliway We have a diffuser in our house at all times. The spray helped us during other times so I might pick up another bottle. I will try the towel trick. It definitely won't hurt. The sad thing is she just sees her now.. even across the room and gets anxious and hisses at her. She is running away from her though and not attacking thank god. My fear is if they get too close to each other Ichabod will smack at her and get her tube. That's my biggest fear. Sabbath has got braver as she is getting better ha ha. 

It will be because her scent is being masked by her being poorly and also from the frequent visits into the vets office. I did just see your comment as to the feliway I hope the added addition of the spray helps to calm Ichabod. By the way such clever and cute names for kitties hehe I love them. It's good that Sabbath is getting braver and isn't put off by Ichabods reaction to her.

StephieDoodle said:

It will be because her scent is being masked by her being poorly and also from the frequent visits into the vets office. I did just see your comment as to the feliway I hope the added addition of the spray helps to calm Ichabod. By the way such clever and cute names for kitties hehe I love them. It's good that Sabbath is getting braver and isn't put off by Ichabods reaction to her.

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Thank you Yah I named Sabbath and my husband named Ichabod. We definitely were inspired the colors of their fur and the things we are into We also call them by Sabby and Icky for short

Yah I was reading that even if she doesn't smell like the vet that Ichabod might still hiss because she is "the weakest of the pack" so to say. That is so sad. I know Ichabod is confused and trying to deal. But Sabbath just wants to relax and I can tell it's putting them bot at edge. Even with the Feliway plug in already in. Maybe if I use the spray as well it will help the tension. 

Which of your girls is usually the more dominant when everything is at peace? it could well be if Sabbath is the more dominant of the two when she is not sick that ichabod sees a chance to become boss lady because Sabbath is for all intents at the moment weaker

StephieDoodle said:

Which of your girls is usually the more dominant when everything is at peace? it could well be if Sabbath is the more dominant of the two when she is not sick that ichabod sees a chance to become boss lady because Sabbath is for all intents at the moment weaker

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Actually Ichabod is most definitely the more dominant one! 

whenever one cat comes home from the vet, the other goes crazy and they fight. The best method for me is to use baby powder on both of them. Behind the ears, rump area and sides. This neutralizes their scent.

I also second the feliway!

I also have "hissy fits" I'm calling them; even after my 2 go to the vet together!  It usually takes them a few days to calm down.  I put a dab of vanilla extract on the back of their necks similar to what Draco does with powder.  It helps them smell alike again.  Noodles is my dominant one and she is the one who does all the hissing as well. 

I hope Sabbath is feeling better very very soon and that things calm down quickly for you all!!

Interesting!!! Make them smell similar. I will have to keep that in mind for sure. Last night we stopped at Pet Smart and I picked up Sentry Calming Spray for cats. It has the same phermone as the Feliway but also has lavender and chamomile in it. Doesn't smell too bad and it's cheaper. I sprayed all the areas that Ichabod mainly hangs out in. As well as known areas from the past that she has marked when she has been in a "pissy" mood (to be safe) ha ha. Didn't notice too much of a change last night but it was sort of late and they were in seperate areas of the house.

This morning however... Ichabod was in the hallway and Sabbath came out of the bedroom into the hall and Ichabod just looked at her. When Sabbath got closer (and I mean she was pretty close to her) I got nervous and Ichabod just stood there looking at her. No hissing!! I was in complete shock. I made sure to tell Ichabod what a good girl she is and pet her. I did notice that Sabbath is nervous now around her because of all of this. I think I might need to get another can to calm her down a little. I actually have to get another can anyways cause I already ran out spraying things last night and this morning. That is the only downfall of this stuff. It is only 1 oz. The cool thing is its aerosol so it sprays way easier and better then the Feliway spray. 

I still have my Feliway plug one in the living room outlet. It's right near their scratch box that Ichabod lays in a lot and Sabbath also uses. 

I pray this works. I would like to get another can just for spraying their crate for car rides and the vet office.