![]() Two unneutered male cats or an unneutered male and an intact female commonly hiss at each other when they are looking for mates.Ĭats are territorial and will hiss at other cats to assert dominance, especially when a new cat is introduced to their surroundings.Īfter a trip to the vet, it is common for the returning cat to be picked on and hissed at by their housemates. In cat-to-cat behavior, the cat that hisses regularly is almost always the victim or the one being chased or antagonized.Ĭommon scenarios for cats to hiss at each other include:Ī female cat with a litter of kittens may hiss, growl, chase, swat, or try to bite another cat who approaches, even one she was formerly friendly with. In actuality, hissing is often a signal that the cat wants to avoid a physical confrontation. The common misconception is that the cat that hisses is teasing or taunting the other cat, dog, or person. Hissing is almost always a sign that a cat that feels mistreated, provoked, insecure, uncomfortable, threatened, or pressured in some way. Do Some Cat Breeds Hiss More Than Others?Īlthough cats can be extremely lovable and sweet, some breeds tend to have a somewhat feistier temperament, which can make them more likely to hiss: Even the sweetest, most social cat will hiss during a calm interaction with their kittens. They will hiss when someone comes too close to them, whether it’s a person, another cat, or any other animal. Mother cats are very protective of their kittens. Your kitten might also respond to a sudden loud noise by jumping up and hissing, with all their fur standing on end. This play hiss is generally a shorter hiss than the defensive hiss of older cats. If another cat or another kitten is playing too rough, your kitten may hiss as a way of telling the other cat to stop. ![]() Kittens also hiss sometimes from rough play. When your cat hisses, they are saying they need space from whatever they’re directing the hiss at. Some of the top reasons cat hiss include:įeeling threatened by or fearful of peopleīeing in an unfamiliar situation or meeting an unfamiliar animalĬat hissing is more defensive than offensive, whether it’s directed at other animals or at humans. Hissing is an expression of discomfort, fear, or stress. A growl often starts with an “mmmm” sound and then becomes low and long, with the sound originating in the throat. It is a forceful breath out, with a hard stop. A hiss occurs with the mouth wide open and teeth showing. Growling and hissing are natural behaviors, and both help your cat to communicate. Sometimes a hiss may be confused with a growl. Hairs standing on end (also called piloerection) Common behaviors that occur with hissing are: A hiss can range from a silent, open-mouth hiss that is more a visual sign of unhappiness, to an aggressive his with full-on spitting. If you’re close enough to the cat’s face, you can actually feel the air coming out of their mouth when they’re hissing.Ī hiss can also change based on the given situation. When a cat hisses, they release a sudden burst of air through their mouth, which causes the hissing noise. Feline behaviorists believe cats learned how to hiss by mimicking snakes as a survival technique in the wild. What Does Cat Hissing Sound Like?Ĭat hissing is a common behavior that sounds like the hiss of a snake or the sound of air leaking from a car tire. You should also always investigate excessive hissing with your veterinarian to make sure it’s not your cat’s way of telling you that they are in pain or that something else is wrong. While hissing is normal, it’s a good idea to determine the cause so you can give your cat space and make changes to your cat’s environment if they are scared or stressed. ![]() Your cat may also hiss during a vet visit, perhaps while being restrained by the doctor or technicians. If your cat hisses when you or another person attempts to handle them, they likely feel threatened. The most common cause of hissing in cats is friction between two unneutered male cats, or between a male cat that’s not neutered and a female cat that’s not spayed that are looking for a potential mate.Ĭats can also hiss at people. ![]() You may think hissing in cats is a sign of hostility or animosity, but it’s actually a normal way for cats to express fear. ![]()
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