Cats make a number of different vocal sounds depending upon how they are feeling. If you hear a snake-like noise come from your cat, this is know as a hiss. Why do cats hiss and what exactly does it mean?
In general, most cat owners will know that hissing is generally a sign that your cat is extremely annoyed.
The common behavior of hissing that resembles the sound of a snake can also mean a number of other things. This guide will teach you all of the reasons why your cat hisses, what to do if your cat hisses at you, and when to worry about cat hissing.
What Is Cat Hissing?
A lot of animals hiss and have learnt this survival technique by mimicking the sound of other species. For this reason, several behavior experts feel that cats originally learnt to hiss by imitating a snake.
A cat hiss is a powerful burst of air that goes through their mouth during exhalation, and is very different to other cat noises such as the trill, meow, and chirps.
If you own multiple cats, you may have noticed that hissing sounds very different in each cat. This is true for every cat, just as the tone in voices differ in each individual human.
The tone and sound of the hiss can also change depending upon how intense the situation is and how stressed your cat is feeling. This ranges from a silent, open-mouth hiss to a full on ‘spit’ sound.
How Do Cats Hiss?
The hissing sound is made by a burst of air that is forced through their mouth during exhalation. You may also notice other signs in a cats body language such as flattened ears, showing teeth, and fur standing on end.
Why Do Cats Hiss?
Now you know what a hiss is and how they produce the sound, let’s now answer the question of “why do cats hiss?”.
#1 A Warning Out Of Fear
People always associate a cat hissing as aggressive behavior, but the truth is, a cat will hiss out of fear if they are feeling threatened. This is to give out a warning sign to prevent a fight, but if they continue to be provoked, they will attack.
Possible causes of this may be if they are handled roughly or if they are being restrained by a vet. If your cat does hiss at you, remove yourself from the situation and give your cat space. Do not approach your cat, let them come to you for the next interaction.
#2 They’re In Pain
If your cat is experiencing pain due to illness or some kind of injury, then they may hiss at you, especially if you touch them in the painful area. As well as hissing, your cat may also show the following signs if they are in pain:
- Sleeping more or restless
- Playing less
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive licking
- A glazed look or dilated pupils
- Change in personality
- Lack of grooming due to pain
If you do notice any of these signs along with hissing, book an appointment with a veterinarian to get them checked over.
#3 Unfamiliarity And Stress
Any cat owner will know that cats do not like change. They like the same routine day in, day out. Even the slightest change to the environment can make a cat feel anxious. Familiar things make them feel safe.
So if all of a sudden something is unfamiliar such as making a change in your home, this can frighten your cat and can cause hissing.
A big part of unfamiliarity is guests in your home. Even family members who come to visit that your cat isn’t used to, your cat may react by hissing at them. Cats are very territorial creatures, and unfamiliar faces entering their territory will be seen as a threat.
Here are some tips you can follow:
- Inform your guests: Let them know what may happen, as well as telling them about the personality of your cat.
- Petting: Teach your guests how your cat likes to be petted. Some cats do not like being touched in certain areas.
- Hiding places: It’s important to provide as many hiding places as possible in your home to give them somewhere to retreat if they feel anxious. Install cat trees, cat shelves, and other various cat furniture around your home.
- Feliway: Feliway or a plug-in Feliway diffuser is great for an anxious cat.
- Toys: Provide a large number of cat toys and interactive toys.
#4 Redirected Aggression
This is when something else such as another cat will make your cat feel anxious, but they end up taking it out on you. This happens due to your cat being so focused on the situation that is troubling them.
In our own personal experience we have also saw this happen with two cats. One of cats hates being brushed. He will moan and make some noises but is never aggressive towards us.
As soon as we put him down, he will launch at our other cat and take it out on him. This is redirected aggression.
#5 You’re Bugging Them
Sometimes your cat just wants to be left alone and isn’t in the mood to be petted. So if you’re wondering why does my cat hiss at me, it may be because they want their own space, and your trying to pet them or pick them up.
You’ll commonly see this if you have young children in the home. At a young age they are obsessed with pets and just want to stroke and cuddle them all the time, they do not know when to leave a cat alone.
#6 Cats Hissing at a New Kittens or Other Pets
If you have more than one cat n your home, they are always competing for resources, and see each other as a threat. As previously mentioned, the hiss is used as a warning to prevent physical confrontation happening in the first place.
Therefore you’ll commonly see cats living in the same household hissing at each other as a warning sign, in hope that no physical fighting will be needed.
#7 Protectiveness of Kittens
Cats are similar to most other mammals in the sense that they are extremely protective over their kittens. If you get too close to a cats kittens then it is not uncommon for them to hiss at you.
They will also behave like this if another cat or pet gets too close to them. If you have a cat that is generally very loving and affectionate, don’t think that this will stop them from acting in this way. You’ll find that they will still hiss at you.
What Should I Do If My Cat’s Hissing At Me?
If your cat is hissing at you, here are some tips and guidelines you can follow:
- Give them space: Firstly, recognise that this is a warning sign and you will need to give them space and never approach them first.
- Body language: Keep a close eye on your cats body language for other signs of aggression such as flattened ears, tail twitching, and tensed body posture.
- Children: Always teach your children about your cat and continue to educate them until they fully understand their behavior.
How To Stop a Cat From Hissing
Stopping a cat from hissing is all about relieving their anxiety to make them feel more relaxed. The less threatened they feel, the more happy and calm they will become.
If your cat is hissing or looking anxious, try rewarding them with toys or their favorite treats. You could even use a little catnip on their toys which works great.
When to Worry About Cat Hissing
You shouldn’t be too concerned about hissing as it is normal cat behavior. But you may be wondering, is there a time when hissing may be a concern. The answer to this is yes. As we discussed in one of the points above, a cat may hiss due to injury or illness.
If you have a cat that generally doesn’t hiss, but all of a sudden has started to hiss more frequently, then it’s best to get them checked over by a veterinarian.
Common Questions
Is it normal for cats to hiss?
Hissing in cats is perfectly normal and it’s just their way of expressing fear or that something is bugging them. Excessive hissing may be an indication that your cat is injured or in some kind of pain.
Is it bad to hiss back at your cat?
Hissing at your cat is not going to harm them, and it may be a better option at preventing bad behavior than yelling at them or clapping your hands which could startle them. The better option is to just walk away and give them space.
Should I punish my cat for hissing?
You should never punish a cat for hissing. Hissing is a natural behavior and a cats way of expressing fear. It would be the equivalent of punishing a child for being afraid.
It’s not the cats fault and fear and anxiety are just part of a cats behavior. Just give your cat space and let them approach you first when they have calmed down and are ready for interaction.
Why do cats hiss at other cats?
Cats are very territorial creatures who are competing for the same resources. If another cat enters their territory, they will see them as a threat and will hiss at them as a warning sign to back away.
Why do cats hiss and growl?
As well as hissing, some cats may also make a growling noise. This is just another indication that your cat is annoyed or frightened.
Conclusion
Why do cats hiss? You should now know why cats hiss and exactly how they are feeling when they do hiss. Always remember that hissing is natural and not your cats fault so they should never be punished.
Don’t keep pushing your luck if a cat is hissing at you, it just means that they are annoyed. Keep trying to pet them or pick them up is just going to annoy them even more and make them more anxious.
