One cat seems to not recognise the other if he's been outside

[AlexaIncognito]

Hi all, posting for advice again as have had some great advice here before.

Our 7 month old kittens are finally allowed out (delays due to neutering / spaying and in getting jabs). They both seemed really keen to get out. However, when we opened up the back door for them to explore the garden, only the boy went out. He loved it! His sister sniffed the air a bit and ran away. And then when he came in, she hissed at him, clawed and him and seemed really upset- not eating if he is, hiding.

She was like this after his neutering operation - it took 2 days for her to accept it was him. That made sense because he did smell very different. But the same reaction after the garden seems strange! He's only out for about an hour or less. She has done this the 3 times he has been outside.

I don't mind if she'd rather stay in but he seems to love going out, but they are both getting distressed by this reaction.

Anyone had this and have any advice?

[Aimzxo]

I have no advice but my two are exactly the same, I suspect its due to their scents changing when they go outside and the cat doesn't recognise the scent xx

[Basilbrushgotfat]

Never heard of this behaviour like this before! She may get better as they both get more used to the outside. I'd encourage her into the garden with you (I've yet to know a cat who doesn't love spending time outside with their humans) and getting her used to the garden scents on you.

You could also try the damp cloth trick when your boy cat comes in - stroke him with a damp j cloth then use the same side of the same cloth on girl cat. The idea is the scents become less alien when they smell them on themselves.