Cat problem: Coleman hisses at Eleanor since she came back from the vet.

[Beware the Beast Man]

Many of you are aware of this week's drama with my cat Eleanor. When we brought her back from the vet on Tuesday, Coleman hissed at her. This continued throughout the evening. I didn't think much of it at first. I figured he could sense that she had been to the vet's office. Mind you, the last time we took Coleman there, his balls didn't come home with him. We're going on the third day, and he is still doing it. What do you think is causing this? Does he still sense the vet's office on her? Is he insecure because she has her energy back? Is he mad because she didn't go away for good? Any advice would be great.

[zanne]

1. Cats are lunatics, but...

Sometimes, I think cats can smell pain and fear. My cats have always reacted very strongly to the "vet" odor. (If we can smell it, can you imagine how bad it is for them?) I'm sure it's nothing personal.

[mikeytherat]

2. He was hoping Eleanor would bring his balls back with her.

I'd be pissed, too!

mikey_the_rat

[Beware the Beast Man]

3. heheh...

There's a stray girl-cat that hangs out on our patio. I'm sure he could use them.

[Cathyclysmic]

17. ..

[JackBeck]

4. I think it has something to do with the smell of all the other animals

being on Eleanor's coat. This isn't an isolated situation. I've heard this happens quite often.

[Beware the Beast Man]

8. That's what I'm thinking. Thanks!

[Beaverhausen]

5. Give them both some catnip and let them play

I do think he smells the other animals on her fur. If you get them both stoned they won't care and will both smell like catnip.

[mikeytherat]

6. Two of mine came back from a teeth-cleaning, and were stoned

out of their gourds. The other cat, Charlie, knew immediately that something was up, and stalked them the rest of the night.

And stoned cats trying to act all casual and falling off the bed was pretty funny!

mikey_the_rat

[Heidi]

7. That's because Eleanor smells like the vet's office.

You need to rube Eleanor down with a towel, or a pair of dirty socks, or something else that smells like home. And if you can get some Bach's Rescue Remedy for pets, it would help to spritz a little on your hands and stroke Coleman with it to calm him down. I never used to believe in that stuff, but it's gotten us through some big dramas with Ginger.

[MissMillie]

9. yep, that's exactly the problem

it'll go away when the scent wears off.

[Beware the Beast Man]

11. She's getting a bath this weekend.

She still has some funk on her tail from when she groomed last. Hopefully that will solve things.

It's odd, but he didn't do this the last time we had to take her.

[Orsino]

14. She smells like a lot of strange, sick and scared animals...

...and not so much like Eleanor. Happens every time I take a cat to the vet even for just a quick check-up.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. Smells and memories I bet

We humans have the closest sense of memory via our noses - imagine what a cat goes through!

You should sell them to a chinese restaurant, I think. Nummers!

[Strong Atheist]

12. It has to do with smell, as someone else noted. Wash her...

[Beware the Beast Man]

13. We have the gauze, Neosporin and sulfa powder ready.

[Strong Atheist]

15. What about the medieval full body armor?

[allalone]

16. happened in my house too

but soon things got back to normal. I think they object the the sick medicine-y smells when the other gets back.