1st May 2006

My cat Amy keeps chasing her sister Rosie from the house so Rosie is now frightened to come in. Any ideas?

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Question:

I have two cats who are sisters and are now 2 years old. Rosie used to look after Amy when I first had them when Amy was extremely timid (both from Cat Shelter) - roles now reversed Amy keeps chasing Rosie from the house so Rosie is now frightened to come in. Any ideas?

Answer:

Cats can detect subtle changes in odour and usually when something like this happens, it is because one of the cats has started to smell different. This could be because of a trip to the veterinary surgeon, the need to bath one of them, rubbing up against a strong odour outside of the house or sometimes even being stroked by someone wearing strong perfume. It is important that you make Rosie smell familiar to Amy again. Stop both cats from leaving the house for a few days and confine them in different rooms. Collect scent from Amy by stroking her with a soft cloth, and wipe it on Rosie several times a day. Allow them to get back together in their own time, providing separate food and litter trays until they have both accepted each other again.