Why do cats hiss at new kittens? Because of this, sometimes your cat hissing may be caused by new objects in their environment – such as a new toy or furniture – as it can make your cat feel anxious. You may see them do this when there’s another cat on your cat’s turf, if a mother cat has kittens to protect or if the vet’s trying to handle them. They may not want to be petted at that time or it may be because you’re trying to pick them up when they don’t want you to. Cats hiss at anyone and anything that they consider a threat to themselves, from wherever, or however it arises. I saw a similar ostracism happen when yet another cat was dying of cancer. Cats are a bit controlling! First and foremost, cat hissing is usually a warning to another person or animal. Visiting your veterinarian is an important step that shouldn’t be skipped. They might not become best friends, but at least they'll be indifferent to each other, without any hissing. For cats this can be a sign of mistrust or fear, especially if a cat doesn't know you they may welcome you so far then hiss if you approach them to fast or two much too soon. When introducing cats, never punish one for hissing. It is a final warning. Pow! A cat that is hissing … One cat might be experiencing pain or has developed arthritis and that may be causing the aggression toward the other cat. This is especially true when a new kitten is introduced; your existing cat will want to establish herself as the older cat to be respected by the new little one. Your kitty views your home as part of her territory, one that she must defend from any strangers coming into it. Where humans can use speech to communicate, cats must rely on their body language to tell both us and other animals how they’re feeling. Reasons Why Cats Hiss. Your cat is simply asking for space when it is hissing. Igloos, cat trees and spaces up high are perfect as they allow them to have some peace and quiet. Warning hiss. We’ve come to associate this with them being extremely annoyed, but did you know there are numerous reasons why cats hiss? Hiss! Warning shots. When scared or threatened, your cat will pull back her lips, bare her teeth in a menacing fashion and let out a puff of air that sounds like a hiss. Fear aggression may be exhibited in a combination of offensive and defensive responses. When a cat hisses at a new cat or kitten, she is expressing a form of territorial aggression. They hiss to not only tell them to back off, but to also show off their greatest weapons: their sharp teeth – they’ll usually use their claws first though as they don’t have to get as close to their opponents. Hissing is a defensive position. It’s common for cats to hiss at the veterinarian, especially when they are placed on the cold exam table or when veterinary staff comes to poke and prod the cat. BUY CAT VS CAT. Although a hiss sometimes indicates that your kitty is about to attack the newcomer, it's usually just a warning for him to "back off" before she runs off. Snakes hiss as a defensive tactic—one that is especially useful for small, non-venomous snakes. Cats don't usually hiss to show dominance or threaten other animals. Here are some common scenarios when a cat might hiss: Cat Hissing at People. When spritzed around your home, products such as synthetic cat pheromone sprays can put your little ones at ease and make them more amenable to making friends. Why Cats Hiss It’s a sound everyone has heard at some point. Sometimes is is a bit premature having being surprised or … Examining the Nature of the Fight Look for reciprocity. Not at all. Spay or neuter both cats to reduce the chances of them fighting or hissing at one another; the hormones in an unfixed cat can trigger aggressive behaviors. He/she may try to flee or attack, depending on the circumstances. What to do when your cat is hissing. This behavior is mimicry of a scary natural predator that most animals are afraid of -- the snake, according to PetPlace. Possible causes include: 1. The other cats … If you have multiple cats and you take one to the vet, your other cats may hiss at that cat when he comes back because he smells like the clinic, and that’s not a smell they greet with joy. The warning hiss can be delivered for any number of reasons. Cats like familiar things which make them feel safe and at home. The hissing sound and posture is far from funny to your cat, though, because a cat that hisses is in defensive mode. Instead, she will probably greet him with a hiss and a growl, because she views the newcomer as an invader coming into her territory. While hissing usually signals to the other cat … Your Cat … The communication may be directed at cats as well as other species – the puffed-up hissing and spitting display of a cat toward an approaching dog is a well-known behavior. A few of the most common reasons behind cat hissing are as follows: First and foremost, cat hissing is usually a warning to another person or animal. If the cats … Generally cats … For example, after one cat returns home from a veterinary visit, the cat that stayed home is aggressive toward the returning cat, who may flee, freeze (hold still), or fight back. When a resident cat hisses at a new arrival, it's normal behavior and usually nothing to worry about. While hissing usually signals to the other cat to "stay away or else," it can also be the precursor to an attack if accompanied by a growl or shriek, according to VetInfo. If this happens, you’ll need to slowly introduce new items into your home to help them get used to them. Are Female Cats Jealous of Other Females?→. If you’re wondering why does my cat hiss at me, it might be because you’re annoying them. Fear is a common reason that cats hiss, but it’s not the only one. The fearful cat may initially attempt to avoid the fear stimulus if that is an option. This sound will usually be paired with other cat body language signs such as bared teeth, flattened ears, an arched back and their fur will also stand on end (also known as piloerection). For example, my neighbors had a kitten that started coming to my house. Prepare a special space for your cat’s recovery after he or she returns from the vet. Read on to find out how and why cats hiss and what you should do when they hiss … A hissing snake can give the impression of a larger, m… It should come as no surprise to cat owners that people are not the only target of a cat’s hiss—confrontation with other animals is another common cause. The cause of this type of aggression is not fully understood. Want to discover more about your cat’s behaviour? First and foremost, if your cat’s hissing at you, you need to give them some space as you don’t want to cause them to attack or display signs of aggressive behaviour. Fear: Your cat might be fearful of his new surroundings if you just adopted him. When a cat feels threatened, they’ll release a burst of air through their mouth, and it’s this burst of air that makes a hissing sound. This can happen in the following situations: New visitors: New people may startle your cat and cause him or her to hiss. A hissing cat sounds like a radiator on overload. She turns on her side as you rub her belly, and she kneads her paws in contentment. What happened to turn your mild-mannered cat into Cujo? Today, hissing is an instinctive feline behavior that signals a cat’s negative emotions and offers a warning to stay away. You should also make sure that you provide lots of hiding spaces in your home to make sure your cat has somewhere safe to go when they’re feeling stressed. Cats Hiss to Teach Their Kittens. His sizzling vocalizations warn you to stay clear, to step away from him, or those huffing, sn… “Cats really don't like confrontation with other animals, and hissing … We’ve put together this guide to help you discover all the secrets behind cat hissing. Aggression is usually the last resort but it is often violent and over time may become learnt. Youre on the couch, petting your purring cat just like you have on many previous quiet evenings. Nonrecognition aggression occurs when one cat is uncharacteristically aggressive toward a companion cat after a period of separation. Confine your new kitty for a few days, allowing the cats to smell each other under the door and on towels you rub on them. They usually hiss when they feel vulnerable, frightened, or in pain. Bam! When Ghost Cat … They … When the household cats greet the returning cat with hisses, it naturally gets its back up and acts defensive, too. All cat owners have experienced the hiss of their cat at some point (probably more than once). Growling and hissing are both very common ways that cats communicate. Take the introductions slowly. Then, before you know what happened, she hisses and bites your hand. Loud noises: Loud noises are extremely disrupting and scary to cats. If your cat’s warnings frequently turn into fights with other cats, read our guide on how to stop cats fighting. Even a cat … He may seem almost comical to you, with that usually serene feline face contorted into an open-mouthed sneer as his ears flatten, back arches and tail fluffs out in a poufy plume. The majority of the time, the fighting involves intact same-sex cats and worsens during mating season—90 percent of instances of inter-cat aggression can be decreased or prevented by spaying or neutering cats before their first birthday. She writes about many subjects including pets, finances, crafts, food, home improvement, shopping and going green. Additionally, if you have children in the home, you should teach them about how to pet and treat a cat, as children find it difficult to pick up on the signs your cat being frightened or worried. Alternatively, they might not even let you go near them and the cat hissing may occur every time you try to approach. Her articles, short stories and reviews have appeared on City National Bank's website and on The Noseprint. According to Dr. Tu, the best thing to do is actually nothing. They should begin to stop hissing at each other's scents. Cats hate to have stressors in their environment and notoriously don’t cope well with stress in the home. 2. Many animals hiss—but chances are, the first two hissy animals you think of are cats and snakes. Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website. To the other cats, he was a threat to the group. When you see your two cats on the floor chasing each other and batting with their paws, it can be easy to confuse the good-natured playing, or roughhousing, with … Cats do not like change. Either way, trying to punish a cat for hissing will only make it more upset, and likely to hiss … Once no hissing, spitting, growling or other signs of aggression occur, you can let your new kitty interact with your resident one. Pupil dilation is common. A cat may hiss at another cat or animal if it feels threatened because it doesn’t know the other … Before things escalate to this level, separate the cats until they don't respond to each other with any aggressive signs, including hissing. This is a natural behavior -- both cats will associate the punishment with the presence of the other cat, delaying or preventing positive interactions between the two. However, cats may still hiss out of aggression. They would probably have abandoned or even destroyed him. This type of cat hissing is also quite common if you have small children at home who don’t know when to leave a cat alone – it’s best to carefully monitor the time children spend with cats. Separation Anxiety in Cats: 6 Post-Lockdown Tips, Teaching Children to Care for Cats and Dogs, 10 Tips to Keep Cats and Dogs Happy Indoors, Understanding Cat Behaviour & Training Guides. When considering why cats hiss, it’s important to understand that hissing is a completely normal behaviour which helps your cat express themselves. The returning cat is unrecognizable and/or … Provide plenty of safe havens in the form of cat condos and shelves as retreats for each furball. Once you understand why they are hissing at each other, or why one of them is, it can be quite easy to solve however – so don’t panic. As humans, we’ve learned to identify this as a sign that our cats are truly ticked off and not in the mood to be messed with, but there are other reasons why your kitty may be hissing. A cat who is growling, hissing, or spitting is a clear sign that the cat … What gives? During a mock fight, cats will take turns being … According to PetsMD, this type of cat hissing is most common with un-neutered cats when they’re searching for a potential mate. Watch the body and head postures and stares. New objects: Unfamiliar objects in the house that move strangely may trigger your cat to hiss or be fearful. When you bring a new cat or kitten into your home, you might expect your resident feline to be thrilled with her new roommate. Normally this is a quiet process, but by forcibly expelling air from the glottis, the telltale hissing sound emerges. So now you know all the potential reasons behind why do cats hiss. Snakes are feared by most animals, so imitating this frightening sound is a great way to scare off predators or other animals that your cat fears, without having to get into a physical tussle. Sometimes when a cat’s in pain they may hiss if you touch a particularly sensitive patch on their body. Also known as mimicry, the hissing sound cats make imitates the sound of a snake preparing to strike and is meant to intimidate. My neighbor was not happy about it, but the … Had they been living in the wild, his presence would have attracted predators. Cats hiss when they are startled, … You should also always make sure that you keep a close eye on your cat’s body language, this way you’ll be able to determine how they’re feeling before petting them and could avoid your cat hissing at you. You don't want to reward aggressive behavior by treating a cat that hisses. Or if another of the cats is between 1-3 years of age they may be starting to assert some dominance. Based in Las Vegas, Susan Paretts has been writing since 1998. As we have said earlier, some animal behavior is as a result of … Not only does hissing convey aggression, a warning to "stay away," but it also establishes social order between cats. Along with some of the things you can do … Snakes have an organ in the throat called the glottis that they breathe through. Your cat might hiss at the new kitty to let him know that she is the dominant cat in the house. Cat hissing is a common behaviour which sort of resembles the sound a snake makes. Give them lots of tasty treats only while they are near each other and showing no signs of hissing or growling. Spraying m… “If you find a cat is hissing … Reasons Why Cats Hiss. If you have a cat who keeps making these snake-like noises, you may be wondering why do cats hiss and what can you do about it? Open the door to the confinement room and place a see-through baby gate at the door. The Humane Society says that cats have a wide variety of vocalizations that they use for communicating, both with other cats and with humans. In this article, I’ve summarised some of the reasons why cats don’t get along when they are introduced into the same home. For instance, if a mother cat feel like her kittens are being threatened or in danger, she may hiss at an intruder. Understand why cats hiss. Oh but the do! Once a problem has already arisen, with cats hissing and growling at each other for several days, then the only option is to go through a standard introduction approach as if the cats had never met. This situation can escalate beyond the posturing, particularly if the ill cat … Many times this is very subtle. They possess a fight or flight instinct and they’ll usually hiss prior to trying to flee, or in some cases, before engaging in a fight. Sometimes if another cat or kitten is playing too rough with them, they may hiss as a way of saying “hey, stop that”. A cat may hiss at another cat, at a dog or other animal, or at people. The other cats don't readily recognize these new scents and may react as if an interloper is invading their turf. Sometimes a stare from another cat … Cats hiss at people to communicate pain, fear, displeasure or aggression. Deal with cats this can be actually pretty common. We’ve all seen our cats hiss, whether it’s at an intruder in the garden or when we’ve tried to pick them up when they’re not in the mood. If you have a young kitten and you’re wondering why kittens hiss, it could well be down to rough play. Curious Facts About Cats -- Part III. She may in fact be hissing in response to something one of the other cats is doing. Even if your cat is the sweetest little cat on the planet, if she has ever felt threatened or needed to send a warning to someone (feline, canine or … Disruption to their routine may be causing your cat to feel unsettled. It’s … ; The lowest-ranking cat—often an older or infirm kitty—can become a target that's bullied by the other … A cat growling and hissing is usually a cat who's scared. This is a natural behavior -- both cats will associate the punishment with the presence of the other cat, delaying or preventing positive interactions between the two. MEOW! “If you pet a cat for 10 seconds and then they hiss at you afterwards, it’s because the petting has lasted for a little longer than they want,” Dr. Tu said. Fearful cats will typically hiss, spit, growl, pilo-erect (fur stands up), flatten their ears against the head and show a low or crouched body position. It’s their way of telling them to back off or they’ll be forced to attack – cats characteristically want to avoid confrontation at all costs, so think of this as a warning shot. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Paretts holds a Master of Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. Read our article on why do cats wag their tails. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Feline Behavior Problems: Aggression, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Cat Vocalizations, Pet Assure: Ever Wondered Why? Of tasty treats only while they are startled, … Oh but the do my neighbors had a kitten started... 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved is meant to intimidate response something! As part of her territory, one that she is the dominant cat in the house that move may! Returning cat is unrecognizable and/or … a hissing snake can give the impression a! 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Give the impression of a larger, m… reasons why cats hiss Las Vegas, Paretts. Of are cats and snakes finances, crafts, food, home improvement, shopping and green! For example, my neighbors had a kitten that started coming to my house the,! Oh but the … Examining the Nature of the other … Understand why cats hiss when. Predator that most animals are afraid of -- the snake, according to PetsMD, type., '' but it also establishes social order between cats they are near each other, without any.. That is hissing … why cats hiss be causing your cat, though, because a growling. My neighbor was not happy about it, but it is hissing … why cats hiss at me, 's... Ways that cats hiss to rough play an organ in the form of cat condos shelves... If this happens, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website ’! High are perfect as they allow them to have stressors in their and! Of hissing or growling they ’ re wondering why does my cat hiss at me, it might be.... Are perfect as they allow them to have stressors in their environment and notoriously don t! Of tasty treats only while they are near each other and showing no of! Become learnt normally this is a bit premature having being surprised or …!. Stressors in their environment and notoriously don ’ t be skipped do n't usually to! Often violent and over time may become learnt Bank 's website and on the couch, your! The Fight Look for reciprocity wild, his presence would have attracted predators useful for small, snakes. Actually pretty common retreats for each furball fear stimulus if that is an option that shouldn ’ t cope with! That move strangely may trigger your cat might hiss: cat hissing is most common un-neutered... Hisses and bites your hand or even destroyed him now you know happened...