my indoor cat got outside and now my other indoor cat hates him, but they use to love each other!

Question
my indoor cat, Jelly, got outside for the first time, he was outside for 5 days and he came back home recently. my other indoor cat, Oats, now hates him and hiss;s at him and even at me, but b4 he got outside they use to love each other. Oats is even making weird loud noises and hes never made a noise before. im even getting a little scared of oats. i tried using wipes and perfume for cats to wash my cat because he doesnt like water but it didnt work. what else do u suggest i do for my cats to love each other again?

Answer
Jacky,

A cat goes by smell and not by sight recognition. The cat that was missing came home with different smells on him and the brother thinks he is a different cat.

As he licks himself he will replace his own smells. Though I've never tried it I've heard people have good luck in that situation by putting a tiny drop of vanilla on each cat's forehead so they smell the same. Also rubbing the non-missing cat with a towel and then rubbing the cat that came up missing with that towel helps.

I would not suggest using wipes or cat perfumes. That just puts additional smells on the cat.

Keeping them separated and doing introductions like they were new cats meeting may be necessary, but the problem should resolve itself in a few days.

Tabbi