So, some things to keep in mind: 1. Smell is the dominant sense used by cats. So when a cat's smell changes, I don't quite think that it's that other cats don't "recognize" them, but it's upsetting that the other cat smells differently. Perhaps like their "alliegience" has changed or something.
2. Cats "own stuff" including humans. And when they aren't around, their "stuff" becomes up for grabs by the others. So yea, I've frequently seen it where one cat that doesn't seem all that affectionate towards me, becomes much more so when the more affectionate one isn't around (one way or another).
3. When a cat is no longer able to "protect their stuff", they can still lose it to a more able-bodied cat.
So I think you've got three things going on there: a cat who smells different, hasn't been around, AND is sick. Any one of those things would be upsetting to the other cat, but what you have is a triple whammy.
Realistically, cats who go outside on their own are going to have their lives filled with mishaps like this. That's a given. I think the best you can do is to try to do something about the smell. Rub her in towels from the house, and you might even consider a bath *gulp*. Also, going forward, the more that you can make sure one cat isn't monopolizing you, that may help things. If the hostility continues, separating them is a good idea to see if you can calm things down. But their adult relationship is going to be more complicated and difficult than their kitten one in general. so even without all these things going on, they very likely would start quarreling and re-defining their relationship within the next year anyway. So it's going to be something they need to figure out.
_________________ The little monsters 3
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