Cat Sisters Meet After 9 Months Apart - Do They Recognize Each Other?

Maine Coon cats Freya and Idun are sisters. They have not seen each other since Idun moved to her new home at 3 months old. What will happen when Freya goes to visit Idun 9 months later and will they still recognize each other?
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[@mightylara2372]

I think there was some recognition there. They were relaxed towards the end and even slow blinked at each other.

[@nancyM1313]

I think they knew they were in the same gene pool. IDUN was, "I think?? I know you ... but stay away." FREYA was more calm but "why am I here???" Both are beautiful girls❤❤

[@altawarren7334]

I think Buster should be here to supervise.

[@YohielSpeaks]

Had they reunited in their original home, it would probably have been easier for them to integrate all the old, familiar smells, etc.. But to reunite in a house that was completely foreign to one of them and also foreign to their original relationship made it challenging. 🐾🐾

[@stup4501]

Good comment - additionally, the 'home turf' element was probably a struggle for Idon. Though I did notice Freya sitting beside rather than in Idon's bed - whether out of respect or not I've no idea but it's nice to think so.

[@donfluso9042]

NEVER seperate such a sibling pair when they love each other! ❤ We have 9 Norwegian forest cats and the last 2 we adopted were sisters like in the video, we just could not separate them so we took both. It was the best choice ever 💕

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

Yes, that would have been nice 🙂 But there were four kittens in the litter and I wanted to keep one, Freya. The two brothers moved together and then Idun had to move without a sibling. But she got many new cat friends in her new home and she is very happy and well taken care of 😸

[@donfluso9042]

@@Maine_Coon_Kittens ok sounds like she is a very happy cat now 🤩

[@willyburtz7299]

@@Maine_Coon_Kittens Don't be selfish.

[@Jorun1]

Idun ist kastriert, Freya nicht. Freya wird im Rang immer über Idun stehen und die weiss das instinktiv, daher unter Anderem das konstante Knurren und Fauchen. Das ist Verteidigungshaltung und Verunsicherung. Und nein sie erkennen einander nicht mehr so meine Meinung. Katzen gehen hauptsächlich über den Geruch. Freya riecht nach anderer Katzengruppe und zusätzlich auch potent. Daher wird sie abgelehnt von Idun - von Iduns Gruppenfreunden würde sie genauso abgelehnt werden.

[@GNeuman]

I'm sure given more time, they would grow together again. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@robodog7610]

Freya is so mild, sitting there without worry in the world.

[@MaineCoonFan]

I loved the little nose greeting in the beginning ❤. I think they recognized each other but would need more time to adapt to each other. Afterall they are both self esteemed young ladies now each grown and settled in their own homes. 👑👑

[@nicolemurray8856]

They definitely recognized each other’s smell or there would’ve been a big fight. Even siblings that stay in the same household will often become territorial and not the bff’s they were as kittens.

[@deborahfrasier1221]

What Beautiful Cats They Are. 🤗

[@sleepycat_ada8210]

They are both so cute and well behaved!

[@endthisnonsense7202]

Hissing and growling; meaning come closer and I'll kill you. Not exactly what we'd call well behaved... But maybe for cats it is acceptable behavior...

[@blueskye23]

“Hey, you look like me! “ “No, you look like me.” 😂

[@lindasapiecha2515]

Its like asking two human siblings who had been seperated at two years old if they recognised each other 6 years later We expect so much from animals

[@anthonyperkins7556]

They're so cute, they look like miniature lions, but the friendly kind who headboop rub and purr against you lovingly ❤

[@CindyRTorres-xe8ne]

I agree that there is some hint that they recognize each other. Having a meeting in one cat’s house also causes extra stress.

[@liselottegranstrom1949]

I think they recognise eachother. Idun is a bit upset because her sister has not shown up for such a long time.❤

[@donovanbradford8231]

There was some recognition there as Freya didn't seem nervous at all whereas Idun seemed confused as if trying to figure where this other fluffy tail that seems familiar came from. But Idun did have such a wonderful face once settled into the kitty tree.

[@heene]

Cats go by smell recognition. One of mine spend a few days at the vet and when he came home his brother didn't recognise him at all and hissed and swiped at him. I was not expecting that and it took a few days for them to be ok with each other again. I'm sure these sisters would be ok with each too other after a while if they are kept together.

[@nickyonstilts128]

Yes, years ago I had to give one of the cats a bath. We were out of cat shampoo so I had to use mango scent. Afterwards, his little sister growled at him because he did not smell the same. Normally she would not have been so bold with him.

[@amaanahmedvlogs820]

Thanks a lot for bringing this moment

[@Enderwave22]

Lol, this was actually a question I asked my mom yesterday.

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

What a coincidence!

[@Shazzadut1]

A bit like me and my sister. We growl at each other all the time….😂😂😂

[@christopherneil8265]

These are some of the prettiest cats I’ve ever seen

[@rosemarymoore3142]

Well it wasn't a blood bath!!! Who knows given much longer they would get on but i think both were glad when it was over!😂

[@albertotognoni4819]

Beatiful Cats

[@timur1674]

Thank you for this video. I think before meet up If they watch old video Maybe they can recognize each others 😊🤗😻

[@riza1302]

In their life span, its like separated for 14years human age, no wonder they not recognize each other 😊😅

[@michaelmilam3497]

I hope there is a second video coming where they finally remember each other :-)

[@chdolan3530]

Sad to say after nine months I don't think they do as they dont't recognise the scent of each other anymore. But at least they didn't fight despite growling at each other.

[@steve10]

i agree fully ,, there wasnt enough sniffing , i was expecting them to get closer and sniff and maybe a bit of hissing , the fact they hissed and growled and never went close to each other means i dont think they remember each others smells after a year,, if they have retained that feeling of enjoying cats though eventually they will become best friends again ,, not because they remember each other , but because they both enjoy being around other cats ,, so i think it would have been the same had any cat been introduced to one of them.

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

It was very exciting to let Freya and Idun meet. Even if they were not the best of friends today, like when they were young, things didn't go too bad and perhaps they felt that something was familiar about the other cat. I went back home with Freya after the meeting and both she and Idun quickly returned to their happy and normal selves afterwards 😸 Take a look at the video showing how Freya and Idun grew up together from day 1 - 100 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHaXnqN7gp1sZ5Y And check out their 1 year video updates too! Freya 1 year old: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5vHkodngbmYitU Idun 1 year old: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6nNapiAi7V7jpY

[@BirgitKramann]

Yes, it's a new life for both. And they have both their own life. That's life! 9 month is es long time in a catslife. But both are so beautiful cats. ❤❤😻😻

[@toebeans3985]

Such beauties! I believe there is an air of familiarity as well, but they can’t quite remember since they were so young when separated. Will they meet again or was this a one-time adventure? 😻

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

@@toebeans3985 Probably a one-time adventure, but we'll see, maybe they can meet again one day 🙂

[@gfhit7520]

to be honest, if I were separated by my sibling when we are like 2 years old then I met him again randomly in my house at 15, I probably wouldn't recognise or remember them either 😅

[@suzanneesquivel746]

Freya seemed more comfortable with Idun. I think Idun will soften up to Freya. They are both beautiful. 🎉🎉🎉

[@WouldbeRenaissanceLady6926]

Not forgetting and bearing in mind that it was Idun's home and her territory that Freya was being introduced into, that was probably the reason for the warning growls and the extreme caution from Idun. Usually cats go by smell as well as sight, but to be honest and by the look of things, I would say that Freya seemed to recognise her sister more than Idun did. I felt sorry for Freya, bless her.😻 I have a little eight year old tortie (oozing 'tortitude') who has eye-sight issues and she has difficulty recognising my other cat, a twelve-pound large Russian-Blue when it gets dark! I have been a cat Mom to both she's and Toms in the past and in my experience of owning felines, it is the females that can become quite hostile to other cats invading their territory moreso than the Toms. What a beautiful pair of ❤Maine Coon kittens❤, Cats do come around eventually, just keep them sniffing the other cat's stuff and talk to them a lot (mine talk back bye-the-way.)🙄

[@billcosgrave6232]

Very interesting! Love watching cat interactions. Silent language.

[@koreanature]

My best friend, Loved this video. Looking forward to see more. Awesome... Full watched.

[@aguywithaview]

Cats recognise by scent not sight. The longer apart the harder to remember and recognise a scent.

[@wendymorrison9706]

Gorgeous Freya remembers her gorgeous sister Idun, but I am not sure if gorgeous Idun rememvers her sister gorgeous Freya.

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

They are adorable!!

[@monacam9341]

Yes. They sleep together near by and are blinking with there eyes. They also know the smell.

[@marymacleod3027]

I think they do. Pretty calm.

[@ChazHDTV]

I have two sisters - Freya (lol) and Silba.... i coulndt just take one when i saw them together. Id only just lost my Bengal of 17 years and thought..too soon, but they bring me so much joy it was the best decision ever. Let these two hang out more, theyll remember

[@belle-epoque]

Loving!

[@Sunshine_2018]

Lol that the same game about situation 😊 . They are all boss and teacher for life adapt learning . God set me free for that 🥰

[@darrinwebber4077]

They are beautiful

[@dougsmith6793]

A record of each cat's behavior at the time of separation would be interesting. Was the separation sudden? Did each go actively looking for the other for a period of time after they were separated? A sudden, complete separation / disappearance would be a lot to process. A sudden re-appearance would also be a lot to process. Cats may not process information in the same contexts that humans do, but they probably experience their own degree of cognitive dissonance when confronted with contradictory or insecure situations / circumstances.

[@geoffreyobrien6381]

Hissing and spitting - they know they are family!

[@Mark-oy9lw]

So beautiful

[@rahjar]

I could almost hear Freya thinking: Hey sis, nice place you got here.

[@chruutunuchruut8188]

Die Katze Idun hat den Vorteil, dass sie alles in der alten Wohnung kennt und sich dort sofort "heimisch" fühlt. Freya aber erkennt die Schwester (erstmal) nicht. Vermutlich ist es auch Tag; ein Abend wäre hilfreicher, weil Katzen dann ausgeschlafen sind. Viel Glück bei weiteren Versuchen ;-)

[@robertvirnig638]

I had a pair of Siamese that were inseparable all the way up until about one year old and a situation happened where they were separated for only about ten days. When they were put back together they almost tore each other apart, very violently. After about a day they were back to how they were before. I can only guess that they had to reestablish who was the boss.

[@retluoc]

Honestly, I'd have to say no... they didn't remember each other. However, they both accepted each other by the end. I could tell by the slow blinking and calm demeanor.

[@ginamcdonald7854]

I think they should have been kept together. I had two little orange brothers show up at my house, and when I was able to get my hands on them I brought them inside together. Just couldn’t take one and not the other. My tortie wasn’t used to anyone in the house since my older calico and my Jack Russell dog had died. It wasn’t pretty for a while, but now she tolerates her step-brothers!

[@loverofthearts222]

Yeah, I believe they do❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@HenryChinaski614]

😻😻😻

[@janazvolska3402]

♥️♥️♥️

[@michaelbuettner99]

💖💖

[@NoraScarbrough-ol1dv]

9 months seems an eternity, is my guess. Sisters couldn't believe their eyes and I think they were relieved in the end😊

[@BelleDelphin]

They need more time, and they will be best friends again. Separation made them to forget their feelings.

[@amechealle5918]

Every time I see this cat breed I remember the tv show beauty and the beast

[@shawnwalford6578]

They were talking to each other with Thier eyes.

[@LoisCandler]

Definite recognition there❤ you can see it in their eyes!

[@solyluna1778]

👍👍💖💖💕💕

[@DonnaleaSpencer]

It appeared the one in the carrier may recognize the scent of her former house. Maybe even of her sibling. But because carrier-cat's scent is now different, the other doesn't recognize her yet. Hence hissing. And 'who are you" stares.

[@cj200jax9]

Sure, they recognize each other. Just playing hard to get. I love your kittens and cats.

[@tamieckert4548]

She recognizes her but she’s not familiar with the smells on her.Lovely beauties ❤❣️✅😻

[@massimookissed1023]

My cats, who lived with their mom for their first year, met her again after a 5 year gap. It took 2 weeks for them to stop hissing at each other, and then they were like family again.

[@massimookissed1023]

One of my other cats lived with his 3 siblings for his first 3 months, then met his twin brother again after an 8 month gap. It wasn't pretty !

[@valkyrie4855]

​@massimookissed1023 My family had two brother maincoons cats reunited after 4 years apart they recognized each other in the same home but there gone I still miss them alot.

[@connymueller4230]

Wow, Im so enthusiastic. My soulmate hat, a British Short, namend Freya too. She died, she was thick with cancer.😢 So lovley this cats. All the best😻👍

[@1c3sly13]

I could never have just one pet. Has to be two or more dogs, cats, birds, ... I would've taken both sisters.

[@janibeg3247]

Freya - "well, this is slightly better than the vets office".

[@quantumcat7673]

At the beginning they did not seem to recognize each other. However in the end, there was already a rapprochement and I guess that it would not be very long for them to play with each other.

[@ashleighstratmann7783]

Too be fair, both had grown in the past nine months

[@janeythompson1834]

They may have both been thinking WTF is going on? the one seemed friendlier freida seemed friendlier,& like she recognized the other one

[@GhostbustersReturns]

Took time to find out that there Sister's. ❤️

[@02sparklestars02]

They didn’t have a hissy fest so I think they did have some recognition. My cats’ mother came down to my house from my son’s when my boys were over a year. They recognized her but she hissed at them.

[@Arianna-sl2hv]

Freya Remembered❤

[@deborahfrasier1221]

They'll Learn To Be Sister Friends 😅

[@vristeciorao]

yes they do

[@WuInTheWild]

No happy ending? Incredible filmmaking curveball

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

Sorry, not this time 😕

[@garrykimovich]

Even humans wouldn't recognize siblings if separated shortly after birth, so I doubt they would.

[@silentlyjudgingyou]

I think Freya might have thought Idun was familiar But Idun was just 'Who are you?'

[@kevinfisher1345]

Did they recognize each other. Meh Idk. Hard to tell for sure. Idun got a good scent and then weirdly backed away. No clue. What I can say is that Freya was more reserved and clearly not wanting to start any issues, so bit more cautious and trying to appear relaxed. Only contesting their personal space after the first greet. Idun was the opposite, like what are you doing here, this is MY home. Bit more aggressive and making sure this other cat knew. I could only imagine the roles might have been reversed if they had met at Freya home. Would have been better to do this on neutral surf.

[@amedeeabreo7334]

The backwards walking and shocked expression is what my cat did when his brother died, and he saw the body for the first time. This is strangely similar. It's almost as if they had given each other up for dead and then couldn't accept the return of a ghost.

[@endthisnonsense7202]

Well, when one of my two cats died, the closest buddies possible, I brought in the dead cat for the other to see it, one sniff and that was it, completely ingnored it from there on... The backwards walking is a sign of fear, "what are you doing in my home. The hissing and growling was "Get out!"

[@a64738]

​@@endthisnonsense7202 2 of our Bengal cats died in 6 months and both times we put the cat in a cardboard box on the floor so the other Bengal cats could see they was dead and not try go looking for them. Both times specially our 2 Bengal cat kittens as well as mom and dad did examine the body by prodding and smelling until they was satisfied that they was indeed dead. But one day 2 weeks later I had left a empty cardboard box on the floor and our male dad Bengal cat did lay down in it to sleep. His 2 kittens came running happily but stopped dead in their track when they did see daddy in the cardboard box and looked totally shocked... They both climbed into the box and started smelling him and prodding him with their paw to find out if he was dead, he woke up and looked at them angrily and they looked angrily back like like lie still while we examine you to find out if you are dead... This went on for a while until he got tired of it and run away from his crazy doctor sons examining him :)

[@auroraborealis13579]

That’s exactly what I was thinking! I don’t know if they have the complex thought of “if I don’t see my sister anymore, it could mean she’s just at another house”…. I think if animals are separated, they probably go through a unique grieving of that animal and they are “dead” to them.

[@JayTor2112]

On another channel with two sister cats Uni and Nami, they rescued them from the street two weeks apart, and they didn't know each other after two weeks.

[@gaspump]

Those ear tufts are very caracal

[@subschool5]

that was honest :)

[@mamaj6028]

Makes me sad, because I took in a kitten, or so I thought, well, she had 6 kittens in my closet ! I thought she was just gaining weight after eating 3 meals a day, but nope it was kittens. She's very small herself. Now I'm nuetering/spaying and getting their first shots before adopting them out. They will be 5 months old by the time I finish, vets schedules are months away plus I'm retired and paying for it all. But they won't leave my house any other way ! I would've hoped they would know each other after separation, but maybe as they'll be older than these two, beautiful kittens, if someone returns one, yep, I have a return policy, so they don't get thrown out or abandoned, that they will know each other . 😍😍

[@coleenmay1551]

I guess they don't recognize each other anymore. ❤

[@GeoMiluti]

I don't know about cat memory. But we humans have no memories of our very young childhood. (0 to 3 years) Cats probably have no longer memories of their first months. They are magnificent anyways

[@feynthefallen]

Idun is clearly the dominant one, even if Freya has the home advantage. And the question is not, do they recognize each other, but do they accept each other again, and the growling and staring instantly tells me Freya wants her back out of her territory. Also, what's up with Idun's matted hair, is she ill?

[@SlowCarsFastSFV]

If I take either of my cats to the vet without the other cat coming, the cat that stayed home will freak out on their return. Acts like they are a stranger for a day or two with hissing and all.. i think the reaction was pretty good considering.

[@ce_mile]

Me and my sister's cats are siblings. They come together every 2-3 months and never remember each other. They hiss at each other for the first 2 hours of each meeting.

[@thegreypath1777]

It’s interesting that their eyes are slightly different colors.

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

Yes, true 🙂

[@melodyriley636]

I adore Maincoon kitties but these two sisters are stunning because of their calico prints. All Maincoon cats come with beautiful attributes 😘😻🐾✨❣️

[@Msspinnerb8]

No they don’t recognize each other. That’s Mother Nature. However, Freya seems to want to keep the peace.

[@michaelhoffmann2891]

How different they turned out to be. Idun is the one that went for weight lifting and football, Freya for marathon and athletics. 😹 Their reactions are interesting though. For example, horses will recognise each other years apart.

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

Freya is actually bigger. Idun is just so much fluffiier!

[@michaelhoffmann2891]

@@Maine_Coon_Kittens Yes, she looks incredibly long and leggy. Like a fluffy Savannah! 😹

[@KimMistyOrmiston]

What’s the update?? Another video showing how they progressed together?? I think at first the one who sniffed into the basket at the other at first did recognize them. But the other, being in I can I’ll use territory was a bit defensive about their new whereabouts; then then the other felt offended by the defensiveness and felt perhaps at odds with them then. But the other who was in the basket was now not afraid because the other didn’t attack. Ironically, it’s seemed to then switch…and the other one now became defensive and even in “semi-attack” mode now…. But by the end I think they both started becoming more and more familiar with one another’s presence!🤗🤗 Interesting video!😲😲 Would love to see the update on how they currently live together!😺😸

[@danielbruns1675]

They are still 90% the very cats who lived in the wild many years ago. The mother raises them, eventually kicks them out, and they live solitary lives except for mating. Credit to cats for learning to be rather voluntarily domesticated. But instincts and all.

[@danielerickson3391]

Well they ain't dogs Dogs would have recognized and remembered

[@spaceisholograme]

fed that poor think she's so tin! her sister looking a bit better .

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

She has free access to food 🙂 And she actually weighs 1 kg more than her sister

[@chrisblyth6716]

Looking at body language Freya recognised Idun first but Idun wasn't having any of it.

[@loyalrammy]

Freya was more relaxed in a strange environment and her sister was threatened and hissing. It’s been the opposite when you introduce new kitties into your house. What you need is a mediator…dear Ole’ Buster! In his box.

[@Maine_Coon_Kittens]

Haha, yes! But I'm not sure how Buster would react if I bring him to another house. I only know that he is very cool and relaxed here 🙂

[@TeeJayDeluxe]

Freya did but Idun didn’t. Freya wanted to say hello but Idun was scared.

[@dottiebalsom1793]

Could you tell me the maker of that cat tree? Need one for my huge male!