I've never lost a cat before so no idea if this is expected behavior so would appreciate some feedback, please.
I have 6 strictly indoor cats. Unfortunately this past Friday morning one of them figured out how to slide open the sliding screen (patio) door and got out. He's about 6 yrs old, neutered, in great health. I adopted him from the Humane Society 4.5 years ago (he'd been a stray prior to that). He's always gotten along very well with my other cats, loves to groom them, they love him so no issues there.
About an hour ago when I was outside once again calling for him (I've been beside myself worrying about him), from out of nowhere he appeared and came straight to me. YAY! I quickly brought him into the house and instantly he started growling and hissing at my other cats, real nasty....a real low angry growl. They of course were acting a little stand-offish, wanting to sniff him. I checked him over good, he's not injured at all. I fed him and he ate like a piggy, and is nice to me but spent some time hiding under my bed (not like him) and ready to rumble with my other cats. I made the mistake of thinking I could quickly give his claws a clip in the event that he takes a swat at any of my other cats but he was really choked at me, growling like I'd never heard him before so I've just let him be. I don't hear any hissing or growling now, haven't for about 20 minutes.
I don't see much point secluding him in a room by himself as, to me, that's not going to help with him re-acclimating to the other cats.
Why is he so snarly? Is he just sort of 'making strange' with the other cats? Is he angry because he enjoyed it outside and is angry that the fun outside is over?
Would appreciate any insights into this strange (to me) behavior.
Thank you :-)
I have 6 strictly indoor cats. Unfortunately this past Friday morning one of them figured out how to slide open the sliding screen (patio) door and got out. He's about 6 yrs old, neutered, in great health. I adopted him from the Humane Society 4.5 years ago (he'd been a stray prior to that). He's always gotten along very well with my other cats, loves to groom them, they love him so no issues there.
About an hour ago when I was outside once again calling for him (I've been beside myself worrying about him), from out of nowhere he appeared and came straight to me. YAY! I quickly brought him into the house and instantly he started growling and hissing at my other cats, real nasty....a real low angry growl. They of course were acting a little stand-offish, wanting to sniff him. I checked him over good, he's not injured at all. I fed him and he ate like a piggy, and is nice to me but spent some time hiding under my bed (not like him) and ready to rumble with my other cats. I made the mistake of thinking I could quickly give his claws a clip in the event that he takes a swat at any of my other cats but he was really choked at me, growling like I'd never heard him before so I've just let him be. I don't hear any hissing or growling now, haven't for about 20 minutes.
I don't see much point secluding him in a room by himself as, to me, that's not going to help with him re-acclimating to the other cats.
Why is he so snarly? Is he just sort of 'making strange' with the other cats? Is he angry because he enjoyed it outside and is angry that the fun outside is over?
Would appreciate any insights into this strange (to me) behavior.
Thank you :-)
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