You might think that when a cat hisses it’s a sign of hostility or hatred, but it’s actually a normal way for cats to express fear.
Cats hiss at other cats and humans if they feel threatened. Hissing is normal cat behavior, but if your cat is scared or stressed, it’s a good idea to find out why and give your cat space and a change of environment.
You should also take your cat to the vet if it is hissing excessively to make sure it isn’t a sign that it is in pain or reporting some other abnormality.
What does a cat hissing sound like?
A cat’s hissing sounds similar to the hissing of a snake or the sound of air escaping a car tire.
When a cat hisses, there’s a sudden burst of air from its mouth that causes the hissing sound. If you’re close enough to your cat’s face, you can actually feel the air coming out of its mouth when it hisses.
Hissing also varies depending on the situation. Hissing can range from a quiet open-mouth sound – a visual sign of unhappiness – to an aggressive hiss accompanied by spitting. Here are some body language cues that cats may show along with their hissing:
Why do cats hiss?
Hissing is an expression of discomfort, fear, and stress. Some of the main reasons why cats hiss include:
-
Feeling threatened or scared by people
-
Confrontation with other animals
-
Protecting the kitten
-
Finding yourself in an unfamiliar situation, Meeting an unfamiliar animal (for example, a new cat hissing at another cat)
-
stress
-
Physical pain or anticipation of pain
-
Annoyance or nuisance
When a cat hisses, whether it’s towards other animals or people, it’s defensive rather than aggressive — it’s a way of saying that they want to get away from the object of the noise.
Why did my cat hiss?
Your cat may hiss because he’s annoyed with you, doesn’t want you to pet him at that moment, or is trying to pick him up when he doesn’t want to be held. Hissing like this is also common if there are small children in the house who don’t know when to leave the cat alone.
Other reasons why your cat may be hissing include:
-
Attempting to cut or groom their nails
-
Cat Travel Carrier
-
I smell an unfamiliar dog or cat
-
Vacuuming or using other noisy appliances
-
Touch the area where your cat feels pain
Why do cats hiss at each other?
There is a common misconception that when a cat hisses at another cat, it is trying to tease or provoke the cat, when in fact, hissing is often a signal that the cat wants to avoid a physical confrontation.
In cat-to-cat behavior, a cat that hisses periodically is almost always a cat that is being chased or antagonized.
Common scenarios that cause cats to hiss at each other include:
-
A female cat who has given birth to kittens may hiss, growl, chase, hit or try to bite other cats that approach, even if they were previously friendly.
-
It is common for two unneutered male cats, or one unneutered male cat and one unneutered female cat, to hiss at each other when searching for a mate.
-
Cats may hiss to defend their territory, especially when a new cat enters their environment.
-
Cats hiss at other cats to assert dominance, especially when a new cat enters their environment.
-
Cats hiss when redirecting an attack or when they are anticipating pain.
What if my cat hisses at a new kitten?
When you bring a new kitten home, your existing cat may hiss at the kitten to establish boundaries, especially if the older cat’s boundaries are being pushed. Hissing is an easy way for the older cat to tell the kitten to stop.
Why does my cat hiss at my dog?
There are a variety of reasons why cats hiss at dogs. Generally, cats do not like confrontations with other animals, so hissing is their way of telling a potentially aggressive animal to stay away.
What to do if your cat hisses?
If your cat is hissing, follow these steps immediately:
-
Stay away from hissing cats to avoid getting scratched or bitten.
-
Give your cat space Hide so your cat feels safe — do not stare at it, hug it, or try to comfort it.
-
Make sure your cat has plenty of escape routes and hiding places to avoid other animals and pets. Cat Condo, Perchand other elevated spaces are great as they provide a safe place where your cat can feel calm.
-
Give your cat time – it may take a few hours for your cat to calm down.
-
Once your cat is calm, try to lure her out with food, catnip, or positive encouragement. Toys, snackor canning It may help relieve anxiety and stress associated with cat hissing.
Check your cat’s health
Physical pain is one of the less common reasons why cats hiss, although they may hiss when touched in a painful spot. It’s important to have your cat examined by a veterinarian to determine if the hissing is due to pain or simply fear.
If you notice your cat’s behavior is unusual, be sure to visit your vet to rule out any medical causes.
If your cat is hissing excessively and frequently, you should take her to the vet to rule out any pain or discomfort. You should also take your cat to the vet if her hissing is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
You may also want to ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. Animal behaviorist Behaviorists specialize in helping understand pet behavior. A behaviorist can analyze your particular situation and offer strategies to reduce stress for your cat.
