My cat hisses at my dog after vet visit. How can I reintroduce them?

Question

I have a 16 year old dog and a 1 year old dog. They got along fine until I took dog to vet. When I came back with the dog the cat hisses at the dog don't understand why. Pet's info: Cat | Maine Coon | Female | spayed | 9 lbs

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Sometimes when a pet comes back from the vet, they smell differently, and that would cause Sweetpea to react differently to the dog because she thinks he's a stranger. I recommend slowly reintroducing them to each other. I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. Make sure Sweetpea has a litter box, food, and water in her room. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. You can also place a blanket with the dog's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the dog's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for your dog. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing Sweetpea in the dog's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dog on a leash to Sweetpea while she is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure your cat has a cat tree where she can escape from the dog as needed.

My cat hisses at my dog after vet visit. How can I reintroduce them?

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