7.22.2013

Mancat Monday

I didn't have a chance to make a post last Friday, if I had it would have been called Fracas on Friday!  Let me explain....

On Thursday night, Archie and Casper went to the vet for their annual check-ups (Jimmy and Ben had already been for theirs back in May and Kip is on the November rotation with Rio).  After Archie's exam I asked to have his claws trimmed because he is so squirmy and difficult when we do it at home why not take advantage of some professional assistance while we were there.  So off to the back he went with a technician while Casper had his turn with the doctor.  All went well, they were both given clean bills of health and we returned home relieved there wouldn't be any more vet visits for a few months because I find the ordeal more upsetting than the cats!

We're healthy mancats :-)
However, once we arrived home something odd happened.  Jimmy started chasing Archie around the house and hissing at him!  Poor Archie, already stressed from the vet visit hid under our bed.   Perhaps Archie smelled more vet-like than Casper because he went into the back room at the animal hospital, or perhaps Jimmy was just agitated because the carriers had been out and that is never good.

Hey you at the bowl, you stink!
Whatever the reason for his odd behaviour, I though things would resolve overnight but in the morning Jimmy was still being nasty to his brother.  I was really quite distressed about the situation because my boys usually get on so well together.  I posted my problem to our CWB (Cats With Blogs) page on Facebook and got some great advice, especially from Teri of Curlz and Swirlz and Janiss, assistant to Sparkle the Designer Cat.   Teri told me that this is a very common occurrence and that Archie probably smelled like "fear" as well as "vet" and this wasn't sitting right with Jimmy.

my brother Jimmy was mean to me :-(

She suggested rubbing Archie with something that smelled like me (PJ's for example) and that this might help to counter his BO problem.  She also suggested sponge bathing both cats, swapping their bedding and of course separating them if need be.  I thought I'd start with the easiest approach first and spent the day stroking Archie with my PJ's then petting Jimmy with them too.  Janiss' recommendation was to rub both cats with catnip and get everyone happy and smelling of something good.  Luckily we had some industrial strength BC catnip that Archie's girlfriend Tiri from Clooney's Num-Num Fund had sent to us, so needless to say that idea went over very will with the boys!!!  I also dashed out and picked up some Feliway comfort spray which I misted on every cat surface I could think of and two refills for the plug-ins I regularly use that happened to be empty! 

mum says I was naughty to chase Archie

All of these efforts combined seemed to get the situation under control and by bedtime on Friday harmony had descended on the house once more.  Thank you to everyone who posted a comment or idea on Facebook, it was great to get so much support :-)

20 comments:

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

What?! My human BUSTED me and told you about my hissy fits when the other cats go to the vet? I am SCANDALIZED!

Hannah and Lucy said...

We never hiss at each other either unless just one of us has been to the stabby place.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

Rene said...

We deal with this every time any one of the cats goes to the vets--Tucker goes nuts. We have to separate them for a few hours after the one visiting the vet comes home--and it helps a lot. We've also learned that if you feed them right when you get home, food can help them "forget" about the smells too.

We're glad harmony was restored. That is stressful!

John Bellen said...

It is very worrisome when cats who are roommates don't get along. I am having a bit of a problem with one of my perma-cats and a foster-cat, but that's a bit different.

Everyone here feels a bit hissy when someone goes to the veterinary but it doesn't get as bad as it did there. In any case, I'm glad the advice worked and that things are back to normal. It may happen again, but at least you will be prepared for it. No wonder no one likes going to the vet!

wildcatwoods said...

We used to have this problem a lot when we only had a few cats but as the numbers went up - no one seemed to care who smelled like what!

cats of wildcat woods

My Mind's Eye said...

JUMPIN' CATFISH...WHAT A PREDICAMENT!! POOR INNOCENT ARCHIE.
MADI HAD HER ANNUAL ON THURSDAY IT TOOK HER FOREVER TO WASH ALL THE NASTY VET COOTIES OFF TOO.

THANK GOODNESS FOR HARMONY
HUGS MADI AND MOM

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

We're so glad that things are calm once more!

Purrs,
The chans

Marg said...

Well, glad you got so many good suggestions and that they worked. Poor Archie probably wondered what he had done wrong. Glad all is peaceful now. Take care.

Tamago said...

I'm glad fracas is over! And great information about rubbing with PJ's. This happened here, too. Niko got home from vet and Goro was attacking him. It was not severe and Goro calmed down soon, but I could use this to help getting rid of vet smell.

Happy anniversary to Archie and Neytiri :-)

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

I'm sorry I missed the commotion and wasn't of any help, but yup, those were all suggestions I would have had if I had been there :)

that is one of the reasons I tend to take the entire crew when vet visit time comes around..

Andrea and the Celestial Kitties said...

Good heavens! As if going to the vet and getting your claws clipped too wasn't bad enough, then you're told you stink and I don't know you by your own brother! Yeesh, glad your mom got it all under control! Poor kitty!

Random Felines said...

geez guys - are you trying to make your mom nuts??? guess this is another good reason our v-e-t comes to the house. the foster kittens go TO the v-e-t sometimes but since they are just babies we tend to ignore it..... glad things settled down

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Glad to hear everything quieted down and all is well!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

glad stuff iz bak ta roo teen guys....N we dont haz any help full add vise ta offer.. but next time keep in mind...fish..nothin like fish seerin on de grill, de aromaz waftin threw de air....ta get everee onez spirits ina good frame oh mind !!! any fish will due...flounder werks best !!

Clooney said...

Oh my poor Ginger Snap! Had I known I would have come over to cuddle and comfort you! Thank goodness the BC Buddy Mx and all the other stuff did the trick for all to be well again! The VET brings out the worst in kitties!

Happy Anniversary Archie!
Love Tiri

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

YAY!! Sparkle saved the day!

Mickey's Musings said...

Good thing our friends in the CB often have good advice :) WE are happy all is calm again there!!
Purrs Tillie and Georgia,
Treasure,Tiger,JJ and Julie

Team Tabby said...

You got some good advice and it worked!!

Mindy
Moe
Cookie
Mike

Catherine said...

Cats seem to have 'naughty' down pat. ;)
xo Catherine

Kathy said...

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could do a "Vulcan Mind Meld" like Spock on Star Trek, to find out what is going on in our pet's brains?! lol

Those all were great ideas!
Very glad peace has returned to your household.
Hugs,
Kathy and Molly