How do you know when it's safe to leave cats out together all of the time/unsupervised?

[cleoandsuki87]

I am feeling cautiously optimistic. I haven't heard hissing/growling in about 24 hours. They are chasing a lot, but it seems to be equal and without the hissing/growling I'm more confident that they are playing. They used to always do this little chirp/meow sound to each other and tonight was the first time I've heard it since before the vet visit. I also notice that neither cat is doing anything like hiding, not eating, avoiding their favorite spots, etc. so I feel like they are both feeling comfortable. A few minutes ago Cleo walked up and cautiously licked Suki's face and Suki let her. Not a full on grooming session or anything, but definitely a start. They used to give each other a bath every night, and then fall asleep together. Hope they will get back to where they were.

Neither of them are on medication, no treatments or vaccinations, etc. The vet visit was actually completely pointless and I regret it every day. I had NO IDEA that something like this could happen after a vet visit. I'd never heard of it, and if I'd known this was even a possibility, I would have held off until I was 100% sure she needed to go. I had been out of town and when I returned in the evening, there was a full bowl of food left just sitting out. Very strange, as both cats eat their food immediately when it's given. I noticed Suki munching on it, but not Cleo. I always give them a little snack right before bed and when I put it out, Cleo was acting like she was afraid of it. The next morning, she was begging for food and I was relieved. When I put it out, she sniffed it and acted like I didn't give her anything. I freaked out, because this is the exact behavior my previous cat, as well as my childhood cat, demonstrated when they were very ill/ended up passing away soon after. I've never had a cat refuse meals unless they were gravely ill. I'd also been out of town 2 other times since having these cats and she'd never done this before.

Since I'd been out of town, I also had no way to tell how long it had actually been since Cleo had eaten, and it was right before New Year's so I was afraid with the holiday I wouldn't be able to get an appointment if I waited. $360 later, there was nothing wrong with Cleo. Vet said it was probably just stress with me being gone and sent me home with an appetite stimulant and a few cans of high calorie food to try. When we got home, I set Cleo's bowl out and the little brat began eating immediately. I never gave her the appetite stimulant or set out the different food. I was so relieved that she was okay; I would rather have needlessly spent the money than have something actually be wrong. Then the non-recognition aggression hell started.

 

[cat nap]

Since I'd been out of town, I also had no way to tell how long it had actually been since Cleo had eaten, and it was right before New Year's so I was afraid with the holiday I wouldn't be able to get an appointment if I waited. $360 later, there was nothing wrong with Cleo. Vet said it was probably just stress with me being gone and sent me home with an appetite stimulant and a few cans of high calorie food to try. When we got home, I set Cleo's bowl out and the little brat began eating immediately. I never gave her the appetite stimulant or set out the different food. I was so relieved that she was okay; I would rather have needlessly spent the money than have something actually be wrong. Then the non-recognition aggression hell started.

You sound like a very caring and observant cat guardian.
Taking Cleo to the Vet, was an excellent thing to do, because, like you said, a cat that does not eat after 48 hours...can get hepatic lipidosis...so you for sure did the right thing where your cat was concerned.

Hoping that they either did bloodwork, or x-rays, in that $360 vet bill.
True, like you mentioned,...it's better to spend the money, than have something be wrong.

**In the future, maybe call the Vet up before hand, and ask for some advice, since they will definitely know about 'non recognition aggression' due to Vet visit smells.
Some Vet offices have such strong cleaning smells, with bleach and other cleaners, plus if they used anything on Cleo such as an antiseptic on her, if they had to draw blood,...even a tiny amount...may have bothered Suki.

***You could also take some towels,cat blankets, or old t-shirts,...Scent soaked in the home, by both cats,...basically having their Scents all over the fabric items...so that when you leave the Vet office,...you could put this in the cat carrier, and then rub it all over the cat...to try and mask, and diminish any Vet smells.

Just remember to keep these Scent soaked items, separate in a sealed bag, and only introduce them AFTER the Vet visit.
(if you happen to have a towel or blanket, for comfort in the cat carrier already, just switch it out, and seal it in the bag, and wash it when you get home.)
.
It also could have just been Cleo's pheromones giving off "fear scents"...that Suki picked up on.
Whatever happened, I'm very glad that your two are now getting back to their usual selves.
Hoping you all have a good weekend.

 

[cleoandsuki87]

You sound like a very caring and observant cat guardian.
Taking Cleo to the Vet, was an excellent thing to do, because, like you said, a cat that does not eat after 48 hours...can get hepatic lipidosis...so you for sure did the right thing where your cat was concerned.

Hoping that they either did bloodwork, or x-rays, in that $360 vet bill.
True, like you mentioned,...it's better to spend the money, than have something be wrong.

**In the future, maybe call the Vet up before hand, and ask for some advice, since they will definitely know about 'non recognition aggression' due to Vet visit smells.
Some Vet offices have such strong cleaning smells, with bleach and other cleaners, plus if they used anything on Cleo such as an antiseptic on her, if they had to draw blood,...even a tiny amount...may have bothered Suki.

***You could also take some towels,cat blankets, or old t-shirts,...Scent soaked in the home, by both cats,...basically having their Scents all over the fabric items...so that when you leave the Vet office,...you could put this in the cat carrier, and then rub it all over the cat...to try and mask, and diminish any Vet smells.

Just remember to keep these Scent soaked items, separate in a sealed bag, and only introduce them AFTER the Vet visit.
(if you happen to have a towel or blanket, for comfort in the cat carrier already, just switch it out, and seal it in the bag, and wash it when you get home.)
.
It also could have just been Cleo's pheromones giving off "fear scents"...that Suki picked up on.
Whatever happened, I'm very glad that your two are now getting back to their usual selves.
Hoping you all have a good weekend.

Yes she had blood work done and urine analysis. Everything came up normal, which makes sense as she is eating fine now. I have researched vets in the area that do home visits and will do that for their vaccinations. Hopefully not leaving the house will prevent this. I'm sure it's expensive, but worth it to not deal with this again. If there is an emergency and one has to go to the vet, I will make sure to isolate them immediately upon returning home and hope that giving time for the vet smell to wear off will help.

So far, so good. I have heard only one hiss in about 48 hours. They occasionally swat at each other but don't appear to be super aggressive about it. I have been watching for signs like poofy tails, ears back, etc. and have not seen any of that when they're chasing each other. I wish they would go back to being snuggle buddies but at least having peace in the house and not having to worry about them is a huge relief. Today I left them alone, both out in the house, for about 2 hours while running errands. When I returned they were both just chilling in their cat room. Unless I see any major red flags before Tuesday, I will start leaving them out while I'm at work.