The cat growls and hisses - causes and treatment

If a cat hisses at a kitten or person and snorts, then in a similar way the pet may be showing aggression or fear. A cat getting angry and rushing when defending its own territory, or aggressive behavior towards its owner may be a sign of resentment. This condition in an animal should not be left unattended, since hissing is often one of the symptoms of a serious illness. Therefore, as soon as the cat becomes aggressive and starts hissing, it is recommended to contact a veterinary clinic.

The hiss of a cat defending territory

Cats are by nature solitary animals who value their independence.
In the house where he grew up, the cat feels like a master. When another animal appears in the home, especially a dog or kitten, the animal jealously defends its place in the house. This continues until a hierarchy is established. It is not uncommon for a four-legged animal to take out its irritation on its owner, and not on its competitor. The animal in such a situation is aggressive, this is indicated by hissing and often beating its tail. Aggression in a cat can be caused by the smell of another animal brought from the street. A change of housing can also cause his aggressiveness, as it disrupts the usual way of life. Situations are possible when a cat defines itself as the leader in the house, then it zealously defends its position through intimidation. He hisses and shows aggression in all possible forms whenever he touches objects that he considers his own or decides that there is an invasion of his territory. In such situations, the cat often attacks people.

Unsatisfied needs as the cause of hissing

In human-fed cats, hissing may be a sign of unmet needs. Signs of aggression appear in situations where the owner does not quickly respond to the needs of the pet. An irritated cat rushes or hisses at a person when it does not receive food or sufficient attention at the first request . Under other circumstances, this is an affectionate and sweet creature.

It is difficult to do something in this situation; most likely, this behavior of the four-legged animal is the result of improper upbringing.

Common Causes

If you figure out why your pet shows negative emotions, you can avoid conflict and even traumatic situations.

Defense: self, cubs or territory

Not only dogs, but also cute fluffies are able to protect themselves, kittens or their territory from surrounding people or animals. The adult feels like the owner of the home, and therefore experiences irritation if someone wants to encroach on it.

The furry friend will use terrifying sounds to drive uninvited guests out of his territory. Mothers are especially active, who in this way try to drive the stranger away from the nest with kittens.

Manifestation of fear

Specific sounds can be caused by certain fears of the cat, which are usually associated with insufficient socialization or regular physical punishment. The fact that deviations in behavior are provoked by a feeling of fear is indicated by warning poses (standing sideways, half-turned), attempts to inflict injury with claws, and subsequent demonstrative licking of the fur.

A pet may hiss at a vacuum cleaner, at loud guests, or at an unexpected sound or touch. Fright is often accompanied by a fluffy tail.

Aggression

Sometimes a cat's hissing is explained by an aggressive attitude aimed at a specific person or animal with which negative memories are associated. For example, a guest could step on a tail, paw, or offend during a previous visit. Or the neighbor's dog is constantly trying to catch up and sniff the mustache.

The owner himself is capable of provoking aggression. Sharp shouts, frightening gestures or trips to the vet are good enough reasons for a mustachioed friend to hiss. If a pet has not experienced tenderness and affection from a person since childhood, then he will begin to scream and hiss at him during any attempts to get closer.

Unmotivated aggression is often caused by sexual desire or hormonal imbalance. If a cat hisses at everything for no reason or reason, it is better to take him to the vet and have him neutered. The same applies to females.

Illness or state of anesthesia

If a gentle and affectionate purr begins to demonstrate repeated aggressive behavior, this may indicate the presence of health problems. Among the diseases that accompany inadequate reactions are:

food and chemical poisoning;
epilepsy;
toxoplasmosis;
hormonal disbalance;
rabies.

An injured animal, in pain, will hiss and growl at a person who wants to help. Operated pets who have not fully recovered from anesthesia and have lost the ability to navigate in space react the same way.

Trying to communicate something

Sometimes a cat is forced to hiss to attract the owner's attention. This happens after a mustachioed friend called out to a person by meowing repeatedly, but he did not respond.

In this case, the fluffy feels displeased and makes frightening sounds.

This behavior is most often demonstrated by poorly raised or overly spoiled pets. If the mustache constantly behaves this way, then measures must be taken to re-educate it.

How to respond to a cat's growl

Don't rush things . Pay attention to your cat's posture. Does she look like she might attack now or is she very scared? In any case, you probably shouldn't try to comfort your cat with physical touch. Growling can lead to attack and injury.
Don't reprimand . Verbal or physical punishment of a growling cat will only add fuel to the fire. Now is not the time for reproaches. It's best to leave the cat alone for now.
Get to the point . The best thing you can do for your anxious cat, whatever the cause, is to try to determine the cause of his anxiety. A possessive person should be praised when he is not aggressive. A cat that is afraid of another animal, object or person should be gradually exposed over a period of time and rewarded for remaining calm.

If you haven't yet figured out the cause of your cat's growling, it may be time to take her to the vet. Your veterinarian will check for potential pain points or work with you to diagnose behavioral problems to help you find a solution. I hope you soon find out why your cat is growling and put an end to it.

Posted by Jordyn Horne Jordyn Horne is a freelance writer who has covered a variety of topics including home improvement, gardening, pets, and parenting. She had moved so much over the years that she had not had time to settle down and have a pet. However, as an animal lover, she adores and cuddles any pet she comes across!

Signs

Typically, a cat hisses when it is afraid of other animals or people. But traditionally it is believed that in this way she shows aggression, she can even rush and attack.

When an animal makes such sounds, it becomes tense, bends its back, tail, and may press its ears. What does a hissing cat usually look like?

His fur instantly stops being tousled, it seems that it has turned from smooth to fluffy, voluminous. Visually, the cat even looks larger at such a moment.
When a cat gets angry, his back arches. This pose is a signal that the animal can and will rush at the offender or someone who, in his opinion, poses a danger.
The ears are flattened for a reason. They talk about distrust of those around them. It is also a kind of protection for the head from injury.
An expressive look conveys all the emotions of a cat - courage, aggressiveness, determination. Meowing may also be heard along with the hissing, but it does not make the disheveled cat any cuter. On the contrary, the sounds complement the appearance and confirm the readiness to stand up for oneself and even rush at a person.

The owner of the animal, having studied its habits, will be able to figure out when a cat hisses because of a sense of danger, and when because of a feeling of aggression.

A cat hissing in pain or foreboding

If a pet hisses at its owner for no apparent reason, it can be assumed that he is sick or that something is bothering the cat, since a cat hissing at a person for no reason is difficult to explain. The quadruped exhibits irritation in many diseases, such as :

epilepsy;
severe poisoning;
hormonal changes in the body;
injuries;
toxoplasmosis and a number of other diseases.

A sick animal becomes frightened or irritated when approached or touched by a person. It does not want to be disturbed or is afraid of the pain that the owner can cause it without knowing it.

Mature kittens

Cats are very sensitive not only about territory, but also jealously protect their offspring. If a mother is aggressive towards her kittens, there is a good reason for this:

She might be sick. There is no milk. The kittens are already teething and they are causing her pain. The kitten is weak, not viable, she does not allow him to have a pacifier so that there is more milk for the rest.

Cats sometimes nurse kittens for up to a year, but most often the maternal instinct lasts for up to six months. After which the mother refuses to feed them, showing that they have already grown up enough and it’s time to cope on their own. You notice that the cat has begun to hiss at her kittens.

At this moment, the babies must be given to another owner. If you want to keep one of them for yourself, you need to monitor the behavior of your pets, since the mother, emphasizing her primacy in the hierarchy, may be aggressive towards the baby. In this situation, she will not only hiss at the kitten; more aggressive actions are also possible. After a couple of weeks, the cat will calm down, take a position and stop hissing at the kitten.

Hissing as a character trait

In some cases, a cat's hissing is a consequence of a manifestation of character. There are breeds of cats that hiss due to their inherent temperament, for example, Siamese.

Representatives of active cat breeds may hiss with insufficient physical activity.:

egyptian Mau,
turkish van,
Abyssinian,
Cornish Rex,
oriental and others.

Most furry cats, such as Persians, do not like to be stroked after washing, and hairless cats will become angry if touched with a cold hand. In addition, hairless cats are talkative and their hissing is everyday, not necessarily an expression of aggressiveness.

How to calm a cat

You can calm a cat that is actively aggressive towards you in the following ways so that it does not cause you harm:

put on protective clothing and take the animal in your arms, quickly wrap it in a blanket;
Always have a water spray with you so that in case of aggressive behavior you can spray a little water in the direction of the animal. This way you will protect yourself from possible consequences;
Do not tease or provoke the animal if you see impending aggression or after the first attack attempt.

Also, to curb the harsh behavior of the animal, the following actions should be taken:

step away from the cat, you may need to leave the room for at least 10 minutes so that he “burns out”; if the cause of aggression is another cat or animal, then they should be isolated from each other for a while and introduced gradually; sit and do not look into the cat's eyes during the period of irritation, this will only increase its fear. You can lie down on the floor. This will make you appear shorter to the cat and this will calm her down; do not pay attention to the cat for a while so that he understands that you do not pose any threat to him; make hiding places for the cat - sometimes staying in a safe shelter for a while helps calm the animal’s negativity

If the cat is scared and has nowhere to run, the aggression will only intensify; approach the cat slowly and carefully, avoiding touching; or let him come to you himself, so that the cat can be convinced that you are open to communication and do not want to hurt him. Let him sniff you, rub his head, so the animal will quickly understand that you are not as scary as he thinks; feed the cat or give it water; do not resort to punishment, otherwise attacks of aggression will be more frequent.

Warns the owner

If a cat lies on its stomach and at the same time hisses, or even growls, then such behavior should not be regarded as aggression at all. Most likely, the animal senses danger and tries to talk about it. If this behavior lasts for a long time, then you need to take a closer look at the pet and take it seriously. Perhaps something hurts, or the pet is stressed.

the cat became aggressive: why and what to do?

Common Causes

If you figure out why your pet shows negative emotions, you can avoid conflict and even traumatic situations.

Defense: self, cubs or territory

The furry friend will use terrifying sounds to drive uninvited guests out of his territory. Mothers are especially active, who in this way try to drive the stranger away from the nest with kittens.

Manifestation of fear

A pet may hiss at a vacuum cleaner, at loud guests, or at an unexpected sound or touch. Fright is often accompanied by a fluffy tail.

Aggression

Illness or state of anesthesia

food and chemical poisoning;
epilepsy;
toxoplasmosis;
hormonal disbalance;
rabies.

Trying to communicate something

Sometimes a cat is forced to hiss to attract the owner's attention. This happens after a mustachioed friend called out to a person by meowing repeatedly, but he did not respond.

In this case, the fluffy feels displeased and makes frightening sounds.

This behavior is most often demonstrated by poorly raised or overly spoiled pets. If the mustache constantly behaves this way, then measures must be taken to re-educate it.

Why does a domestic cat attack and bite its owner?

In most cases, the reason for aggressiveness lies in psychology. The animal is driven to such behavior by a wide variety of emotions. In the absence of pathology, a disgruntled cat always warns of a possible attack:

presses ears, moving them back;
arches tail and back;
raises the fur along the spinal column;
turns sideways to the enemy;
makes hissing or rumbling sounds.

If you notice such behavior, leave your pet alone and carefully analyze what triggered it. By eliminating the irritating factor, you will avoid new outbursts of anger.

Illness or pain

If a previously affectionate cat has become aggressive and attacks its owner, then the reason for this behavior may lie in pain. A paw injured as a result of an unsuccessful landing reacts sharply to even the most gentle touches. A pet may attack a person in order to prevent contact with a sore limb.

Pain syndrome is characteristic not only of injuries, but also of some diseases: arthritis, infections, pathologies of the oral cavity. Monitor closely for accompanying symptoms. If apathy, sleep disturbances and poor appetite appear, it is better to get checked at a veterinary clinic.

Another possible cause of attack is deterioration or complete loss of functionality of one of the senses. Impaired hearing, vision and smell interfere with the normal perception of the real picture, distorting the protective function. Most often, this problem occurs in old age.

Bad Education

Frequent play with human hands becomes a habit. As a kitten ages, its claws lengthen and become sharper. The damage from such “cold weapons” is much more serious than in childhood. A mustachioed pet, accustomed to the absence of punishment, will not only play with his hands, but also take out his dissatisfaction on them.

If a cat does not like to sit in the arms of strangers, then in a noisy company she will easily release her claws at anyone who dares to touch her. This behavior is especially dangerous when a small child appears, exploring the world through touch.

Self-defense

Claws and teeth are used not only for attack, but also for defense. Aggressive behavior is explained by ordinary fear. Sudden awakening, a sharp grab or forceful holding are perceived as a threat. Most often, cats simply hiss and run away in the hope of hiding in a secluded place. If all escape routes are blocked, they will fight until victory.

It is also worth noting the protection of offspring. During pregnancy and lactation, the pet becomes more suspicious. She may bite a stranger or animal who decides to disturb her kittens.

Demandingness

Another unpleasant consequence of poor upbringing is demanding behavior through strong bites. With the help of the owner's nipping, the cat may ask to eat or play. Most often, ill-mannered pets bite a person’s legs, pushing them in the right direction. Ignoring this behavior will not solve the problem, but will only increase the force of the bite.

Psychological trauma

The protective reflex is triggered not only by a real threat, but also by a conditional one. Pets taken from the street often suffer from psychological trauma received during wandering. Experienced memories that provoke inappropriate behavior return to them when they see certain objects along with sounds or smells. In such cases, the resulting aggression is called redirected.

The worse the violence experienced, the more aggressive the possible attack. An animal that is regularly beaten with a slipper can leave serious injuries to the owner, who puts on house shoes in front of the pet.

The cause of stress is not only violent actions, but also excessive affection. If personal space is frequently violated, the cat will begin to defend its freedom.

If your mustachioed pet always grew up in care and had the opportunity for privacy, analyze recent events. He may be stressed about moving, having a baby, or having another pet. In this case, all actions are aimed at attracting the owner’s attention.

Competition with other animals

If a cat attacks another cat, then she feels a competitor in her: she is jealous of the owner or is afraid of losing her territory. Keeping multiple pets together is not an easy task. It will take time for the two mustachioed warriors to reconcile.

In such situations, it is recommended to avoid direct intervention, as the pet’s aggression will be redirected to the owner. Before you start training, wait until both pets have calmed down and are ready to cooperate.

Reasons for warnings

Fear. Cats are nervous creatures; a feeling of fear can arise in them for any reason: a change in their usual environment, unfamiliar people, unpleasant odors, painful sensations, aggressive behavior of people or other animals.
Pain. Cats tolerate many injuries and illnesses better than people; their immune system is formed in such a way that sometimes they do not need medical intervention. However, any illness is an unpleasant sensation. At such moments, the animal only needs peace to gather strength and overcome the disease. And in response to any intervention, the cat “asks” not to disturb it. Such conditions can occur not only due to diseases: animals in heat do not always control their emotions, and females often need solitude during childbirth and pregnancy.
Intraspecific relationships.
The warning system exists to clarify relations between fellow tribesmen. And the hissing in this case is also translated as a warning, for example, when dividing territory. Females use this method of warning if they do not intend to mate or if they are protecting their cubs.
Impending attack. Cats are not prone to sudden attacks unless they are hunting. Any physical aggression begins with a warning: often showdowns end at this stage if the enemy is not ready for battle.

What should an owner do in response to cat aggression?

If the owner is tired of constant attacks from the pet, then it is necessary to start raising him. The owner must do everything possible to prevent the cat from having the desire to rush at the child or strangers.

scold

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You should not scold a cat when it tries to attack its owner. The cat's disposition is such that these animals can remember insults inflicted on them.

The best way is not to scold, but simply to ignore. This means not responding completely to the behavior, even with words. Only then will the cat understand the reason for such an attitude of the owner.

Re-educate

When retraining your pet, the following recommendations should be followed:

do not play with the cat with your hands and feet;
buy only those toys that allow you to play at a distance with the owner (fishing rods, candy wrappers on a string);
If a cat grabs your hand, do not suddenly pull it out. In such a situation, she will become even more angry and will only intensify her aggression. You should freeze for a while, wait until the pet releases your hand, and then stop playing. In this way, the cat will understand that aggressive behavior is a reason to end the game and communicate with the owner;
in order for the kitten to grow up calm, you should devote more time, love and affection to it;
During the training process, you should be patient with the animal and not beat it. Education must be accompanied by patience on the part of the owner. The animal should be helped to recognize the bad behavior.

Important! A pet should be trained and raised from the first days of its arrival in the home. Only in this case will the process be effective.

You should raise your pet properly

Showing you care

Showing care, affection and love is an important rule in the fight against a cat’s desire to attack its owner. Among the manifestations of concern are:

you should pet your pet;
speak kind words to him more often;
pet the animal;
pamper with treats;
play.

Other methods and recommendations

General recommendations on how to stop a cat from rushing at its owner include:

Suitable toys should be provided for the cat that allow it to exercise its hunter instinct and pounce on its “prey”;
a special board or pillow should be offered for scratching and “beating”;
You should spray your cat with water every time he bites or does something unacceptable;
if possible, take another animal so that it doesn’t get boring;
in some cases, the cat is castrated, which sharply reduces its aggression;
You should explain to your child how to play with your pet correctly so that it does not get angry or attack.

Leadership in the cat family

When kittens switch to adult food and learn to defend themselves, they become independent and enter adulthood.

During this period, they cease to be cat children and become competitors for the attention of their owners, for the best tidbit, for territory. Hierarchy is very important in cats

When kittens switch to adult food, they become independent and enter adulthood.

By hissing, biting, and persecuting, the older cat asserts its dominance, the right to territory and the care of its owners.

At this age, it’s time to separate the cat and kittens and find a new home for the kittens. In special cases, you can try to endure and let them figure out for themselves who will be at what social level and themselves obey the subsequent rules established by the animals.

Examples of the most aggressive breeds

Below are the most aggressive breeds.

Siamese

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Many pet lovers prefer Siamese cats because they are very beautiful in appearance. However, not everyone knows that as pets, they are not the friendliest to others. Siamese cats and cats are known for the fact that they communicate mainly with only one owner in the house, and other family members are jealous of him.

Important! They can literally completely ignore everyone else in the house. They do not like children and are not very affectionate with anyone other than their beloved owner.

Without respect for other people, representatives of the breed easily fall into an aggressive state and can even cause serious wounds.

Siamese cats are one of the aggressive breeds

Savannah

The cat breed has a direct blood connection with the Serval and the Siamese cat. The animal is characterized by energy, mobility, jumping ability, and curiosity.

The habits of a predator are clearly expressed, hence the aggressive behavior towards the owner. Like Siamese cats, Savannah chooses one single owner and treats others with contempt.

Hunting instincts passed on from the serval sometimes require careful control by the owner and education from childhood.

Savannah - a mix of serval and Siamese cat

Abyssinian

Abyssinian cats have a very energetic temperament and natural curiosity. Until old age they remain active and restless. Some compare the animal's character to that of a dog. High mobility is often accompanied by attacks of aggression, especially during the game.

Important! From childhood, the breed lacks a sense of fear and self-preservation, so education is required from an early age.

The Abyssinian cat breed is restless from birth.

Cat attacks are no joke, and cat bites can be more susceptible to infection than dog bites. The reason for this is that the cat's sharp teeth create deep puncture wounds in the area that are sufficient for bacterial activity. What to do when a cat attacks its owners? Although most people find this display of cat character amusing, it is not a good idea to continue this game. It is necessary to make the animal understand that its behavior is not acceptable. For this purpose, cats are sprayed with water and their attempts to continue playing are ignored.

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Why do cats growl and hiss?

Predators direct their main forces to obtaining food and hunting. They are in no hurry to fight with the enemy, defending their territory, so when they meet, they first warn him of their indignation by hissing or growling. For most hissing animals, this sound is simply a warning. Sometimes it plays the role of a battle cry.

There is no beast more terrible than a cat: hissing and growling as a threat

Hissing, the cat bares its teeth and presses its ears to its head, acquiring a menacing appearance. Her fur stands up, her fangs are exposed, her claws extend. At this moment, it becomes clear to the enemy that the animal is ready to attack. With its entire appearance, it shows that it does not intend to joke, and lets the opponent know that he still has a chance to leave the territory.

Representatives of the cat family are skilled, dexterous predators. In a battle with an enemy, they can seriously injure or even kill an opponent. They express their serious mood for a fight with warning sounds - growls and hisses. If a hissing cat is ignored, it may attack.

Masking fear

Why does it happen that cats hiss but do not attack? An animal's aggressive behavior towards certain people may indicate its fear. Perhaps he has some unpleasant memories associated with them

If in the past a house guest inadvertently stepped on a kitten’s paw or tail, you should not be surprised that the pet then arches its back and bares its teeth at its mere approach.

Unmet cat needs

Human-raised cats may hiss when their needs are not met. Hissing begins when the owner is in no hurry to fulfill some cat's whim. For example, a cat in the kitchen is waiting for the bowl to be filled with food, but the owner is in no hurry. Then the plaintive meow turns into a menacing hiss. Or the kitty curls around the owner's legs in every possible way, waiting for the owner to stroke it, while he is busy with something else. Then the sweet and kind creature turns into an irritated hissing fury.

In similar situations, you can’t do anything, because the cat behaves this way due to lack of good upbringing.

Common Causes

A cat hisses at a person in situations when it is trying to convey to him its experiences and emotions. Unlike people, cats are able to express their mood solely through body language, as well as vocal vibrations.

If an animal is constantly unhappy and, at every opportunity, tries to hiss and growl not only at a stranger, but also at the owner, it is important to find out the reasons for this behavior

Predator instinct

An aggressive and hissing cat can even awaken to an affectionate, gentle purr, because in any breed of cat the blood of predators flows - the distant ancestors of domestic cats. If the owner begins to remind the pet every day about hunting reflexes, you should not be surprised that the animal will snort, arch its back, and rush at a potential hunting object at every opportunity.

A true predator lives in a pet if the following habits are observed every day:

Hunting and jumping on the owner's legs from ambush;
Lack of reaction to loud remarks, increased pressure;
Constant aggression, attempts to bite and scratch painfully.

Social aggression

Aggressive behavior is the result of excessive annoyingness and persistence of the owner. Every cat will want to let a person get close if it is in a bad mood or if the animal does not need affection at the moment

If a cat wants to communicate, he will independently approach the person, trying to make him pay attention to him

Wanting communication, the purr will rub against your legs, ask for affection, offer its back to be stroked, or even jump into your arms. But if the owner overdoes it with affection, the cat will turn from a kind, gentle pet into a real devil.

Therefore, it is important to try to find mutual understanding and not test each other’s patience

Redirected aggression

This behavior is typical of cats that are frightened or angry by something in the presence of another person. Cats have excellent associative memory, so if a stranger or owner became unwitting accomplices of an unpleasant incident, when they meet, they will always evoke negative memories in the mustachioed cat, becoming the cause of aggression.

It's no wonder cats react so aggressively towards some people. Just by appearing, an uninvited guest causes unmotivated anger, manifested by hissing, growling, and snorting.

Fear

A cat's hissing and growling may be due to fears caused by insufficient socialization, or even worse - physical punishment. If the hissing is caused by fear, this will be indicated by the following factors:

An attack on a person in the presence of a specific stimulus;
Growling, attempts to mutilate with claws;
Increased snorting and growling if the animal is cornered;
Adopting aggressive warning postures;
Final demonstrative licking of fur.

Resentment

Most often, resentment accompanies a feeling of fear, but sometimes it occurs on its own

If your pet hisses, growls, or twitches its tail when meeting a person, it is important to find out the reasons. Cats usually ignore the person who offended them or try to show aggression openly

To make peace with your pet, you should communicate, apologize, and be sure to treat him with a treat as a sign of reconciliation and recognition of the mistake.

Growling, purring, hissing and meowing are the only sounds that cats use to indicate their mood. When figuring out why a cat growls and hisses, we must not forget about its wild origin.

The main causes of a cat hissing are:

fear;
unmet needs;
breed characteristics;
pain;
fighting for territory.

Aggressiveness due to fear

This happens when a friendly cat hisses at a certain person. This behavior is most often explained by fear and unpleasant memories of the first contact with him. For example, he might accidentally get up on his feet or be startled by something else. It is possible that the person deliberately intimidated the four-legged pet, depriving it of the opportunity to leave, trying to touch it by force, or holding it forcibly in their arms. The cat views these actions as an immediate threat, so it reacts aggressively and hisses. An animal remembers stress for a long time. But the problem is easily solved with the help of kind words and favorite treats.

Pet hisses at other people

An animal hiss can also be intuitive. If he was not trained as a child and had no human contact, the cat will likely grow up fearful of him. Even tame cats may hiss at a suspicious person, which means they are actively trying to eliminate a potential threat. This is why a cat hisses at other people.

When strangers appear in the house, it is advisable to give the cat a treat, then it will be associated with pleasant experiences, and not with hissing.

Suspicious sounds

A cat may be afraid or wary of unfamiliar noises that we cannot hear, but cats have excellent hearing. (They hear every rustle under the floor or behind the wall.)

A cat will hiss when it sees a threat in various situations:

careless gesture of the owner;
visiting a veterinarian;
the appearance of a stranger or another animal;
strong sound or scream, etc.

Leadership in the cat family

When kittens switch to adult food and learn to defend themselves, they become independent and enter adulthood.

During this period, they cease to be cat children and become competitors for the attention of their owners, for the best tidbit, for territory. Hierarchy is very important in cats

When kittens switch to adult food, they become independent and enter adulthood.

Rabies

Although we mentioned in this article that the reasons for a cat attack can be fear or pain, it is worth looking at another reason for aggression: rabies.

Rabies is a fatal disease that can be transmitted from one animal to another. Once the virus reaches the brain, it begins to affect behavior. In many cases, one of the changes is increased aggressiveness.

In order to protect yourself and your animal from this pathology, do not forget about vaccinating your pets, and also do not let your purrs walk on the street, where they can be bitten by a rabid animal.

If you notice that an unvaccinated cat that has free access to the outdoors or is in contact with animals that walk outside becomes very aggressive for no apparent reason, contact your veterinarian immediately!

What to do?

Frequent manifestations of aggression are not the norm, so it is necessary to consult a veterinarian for a consultation.
When kittens hiss and show aggression, as well as other unpleasant symptoms, then most likely the problem lies in the disease. In this case, you should not delay visiting the veterinarian. The specialist will order examinations, based on the results of which he will prescribe treatment. If a sleeping or awake cat is constantly restless and growls, then this may be caused by stress or fear. It is worth calming the pet, paying more attention to it, petting it. If necessary, sedative medications are prescribed.

A new cat may hiss at its owners because it is not yet used to them and is afraid. To quickly defuse the situation, you need to show the animal that he is safe, give him a separate place and bowl, communicate more and treat him with treats. A pregnant female or one who has given birth should not be contradicted when she hisses in defense of her kittens. This is a normal manifestation of maternal instinct, which will soon pass. It is more difficult to deal with an animal that shows its innate fighting abilities. A person has no influence on a cat’s genes, so it is necessary to love the pet and not provoke it into conflict.

When do cats hiss?

Why does any domestic cat hiss at the sight of a foreign animal in the house and make these unpleasant sounds, although before she has always pleased you with her friendliness and frequent purring? She doesn’t like the fact that an uninvited guest has appeared on her territory. After all, now she will have to share food with him. He will grab her favorite toys. Or maybe he will take his favorite chair or place near the owner.

Or maybe the sensitive sense of smell of this animal sensed the smell of another on your guest’s clothes and immediately gave a warning signal that she does not want to see uninvited guests in this territory.

Some events can even cause nervous hissing attacks in this furry animal. At the same time, they express fear, confusion and willingness to stand up for themselves. So, the main reasons why a cat hisses are:

Fright.
Trying to protect yourself.
Warning signals.
Protecting the territory from outsiders.
Unpleasant, foreign odors.

Why does a cat hiss? Why does a cat hiss? Why does a cat hiss? Why does a cat hiss?

Hissing is inherent in this breed

In some cases, a cat hisses because it is inherent in its breed.
Let's say Siamese hiss due to the inherent behavior of this type of temperament. Some active breeds start to hiss because they don't get enough exercise. These are Abyssinian, Oriental, Cornish Rex and some others. Some furry breeds (Persians) hate it when they wash themselves and immediately start petting them. And there are hairless cats (Egyptian breed) - they hiss constantly, because hissing is part of their conversation, and does not necessarily mean aggression.

Why does a cat hiss at a kitten?

If a cat hisses at a kitten that has just been brought into the house, with this behavior she shows that she is the only one in charge here. The animal may behave aggressively towards the newcomer if he approaches personal belongings. This is how the pet shows that it is forbidden to use her things. Another common reason why a cat does not accept a kitten and hisses is jealousy of the owner.

An animal may hiss at kittens from its litter for the following reasons:

The offspring are in danger and the cat hisses to explain to the kids that they need to sit quietly;
Mama Cat teaches life lessons by preparing children for harsh realities;

The baby's smell seems foreign. This happens when a person often picks up newborn kittens to look at and play with them;
The cat does not want to waste time and energy on non-viable kittens;
The cat doesn't feel well, then she hisses at the kids to leave her alone.

Does your cat hiss for no reason?

Aggressive behavior in cats can most often be explained by their intuitive response to external stimuli. Although it is not always possible to answer the question of why a cat hisses at people and whether she has reasons for this. An attentive owner understands the likely cause of the cat's dissatisfaction. Humans and cats have lived together for centuries, and behavioral responses have evolved through the evolutionary process. The cat shows its displeasure with its hissing and is trying to protect itself or scare you.

How to determine if your pet is in an aggressive mood

To avoid conflict with an animal, you need to understand whether it is dangerous or whether it is simply protecting itself.
Basic communication skills are necessary for the smooth coexistence of people and pets, and understanding the behavior of cats is necessary for us to live comfortably together with a pet. Tense posture, facial expressions, movements of the ears, tail, paws and characteristic sounds can be a sign of dissatisfaction. Unacceptable behavior in such a situation can make the cat aggressive, and in some cases it can also affect people.

Hissing at other animals

The mustachioed purr can demonstrate dissatisfaction and aggressive behavior towards its relatives, kittens or other pets.

For adult cats and female cats

All representatives of the cat family are considered loners. Even when living in the same house or apartment with people, your pet wants to feel independent.

Therefore, the cat hisses at the new cat, trying to drive the stranger out of the territory that it considers only its own. Females are more jealous of their owner and everything that surrounds her. Adult males perceive new neighbors more calmly, taking them under their protection. But other males are treated as competitors.

Aggression and manifestations of discontent are a defensive reaction that lasts until the adult individuals come to terms with living together and divide the territory in half. A person’s task is to make friends with pets with the least loss for both parties.

For kittens: ours and others'

Most often, sterilized individuals who have never given birth hiss at other people's kittens. They are afraid of strange creatures that smell of milk and another female.

A mother’s emotions towards her babies can be caused by various reasons:

Mom calms the children down and lets them know to be quiet and not attract attention. The female trains the babies, teaches them aggressive behavior so that in the future they can stand up for themselves. If the kitten is picked up too early, its smell will become foreign to the mother. A cat hisses at a kitten if he bites her nipple painfully while feeding or if she has run out of milk.

Sometimes a mother drives a weakened baby away from her in a similar way, not wanting to waste milk on him. This is how the natural instinct of natural selection manifests itself. The female does not want to waste her energy on him. Mothers are also aggressive towards older children, considering them competitors.

On other pets

The perception of other animals unexpectedly appearing in the house may not be immediately positive. Screams, hissing and growling will inevitably accompany the first meeting of new neighbors. Owners with mustaches especially cannot stand dogs.

Even if the dog does not pretend to seize someone else's territory, the cat will continue to react negatively to his presence. Relations between them will improve over time, but only a person can speed up the process of reconciliation. To do this, the owner must pay enough attention to each pet, taking responsibility for raising both.

Reasons for cat attacks on owner

There are several reasons for the aggressive behavior of your four-legged friend. If the owner learns to distinguish them, then he can control the animal and control its behavior.

A cat attacking its owner is a negative manifestation of the animal’s character.

Here is a list of the most accurate signs of aggression and agitation in domestic cats towards their owners:

defensive posture;
ears point back, flattened;
the fur on the withers rises to the top;
the tail is curved inward;
creeping gait;
turn towards the enemy;
open mouth, hissing and spitting.

If the owner discovers these signs in his pet, then he should be extremely careful with him, as there is a threat of attack from the animal.

Miseducation

Attacks on the owner by an already adult domestic cat are often associated with improper upbringing since childhood. A small kitten cannot be weaned from the habit of biting its owner's leg or hand. The absence of punishment is an incentive to continue such behavior.

Important! At an older age, such attacks on the owner by the cat become a habit, which ultimately develops into poor upbringing.

Poor upbringing of a cat is the reason for its aggression

Breed characteristics

The predator instinct is one of the manifestations of the natural characteristics of a cat. This behavior is typical for the game. However, the game is only for humans, while for a pet it is hunting.

Sometimes a cat's roar is associated with his desire to show himself as the master of the situation. Even if the pet is the only animal in the house, its hunting instinct manifests itself at the genetic level.

To reliably establish why a cat rushes at its owner and bites, it is necessary to examine the circumstances under which this process occurs. You need to understand exactly what actions this is associated with.

Important! The cat rushes at its owners, what to do, how to do the right thing? The first step is to move away from him to a certain unattainable distance.

It is worth highlighting separately some varieties and breeds of cats that are “mean by nature”:

Siamese. This breed has an innate “master cult”, in which the cat is jealous of its only owner and attacks the rest of the household.
"White" cats. Aggression is associated with the presence of “Angora” blood. Most of these cats are born deaf and therefore display excessive aggression.
"Blue" cats. They have a natural distrust.

A cat's aggression may be based on breed characteristics.

Separation from mom

The state of a pet in which its needs are not met is called frustration. For example, early separation from mother or improper weaning of a cat from milk.

As a result of the latter, the cat cannot obtain its own food. The cat had to teach this instinct. Signs of this condition:

the cat has become aggressive, attacks the owner, even if he trusts her;
the pet growls if it has not received the proper reward;
growls loudly and rushes at the door.

Other reasons

Other common reasons include fear. Due to decreased attention, the cat rushes at its owners. And if, as a kitten, an animal received insults and even beatings from a person, then fear will accompany the adult animal all its life.

Among the main factors are:

the cat attacks the owners if some kind of irritant appears;
aggression is accompanied by threatening poses;
in addition to growling and posturing, the animal can swing its paws;
after the situation has been resolved, the animal relieves stress by licking its fur.

Important! If a cat attacks a person, it is useless to scold, much less beat him. It is unlikely that such punishment will lead to correction. Most likely, on the contrary, the cat will always expect bad things from the person, which will worsen the situation.

Offense is a fairly common situation in which a cat attacks its owners. If a pet believes that it has been unfairly offended, it can take revenge and behave aggressively, even when the owner takes it in his arms to caress it. You should use a trick and try to appease your pet with treats.

Another significant reason is the situation when the cat does not like to be in large crowds of people, play with children or change hands. He may be dissatisfied with the situation and, as a result, attack those who bother him. To eliminate the factor, you should isolate the animal in a separate room or on the balcony, especially when it comes to children.

Aggressive behavior can also be caused by a cat's pregnancy. This is a natural condition in which the female may attack in order to protect her unborn kittens. It is enough to let her know that she can trust her owner. This behavior will disappear.

A painful condition can cause aggression; the animal can go berserk at any moment. In such a situation, the pet wants to be touched and disturbed as little as possible. To recognize the condition of the disease, it is enough to monitor your pet for just a while. If other signs are noticeable: poor appearance, apathy, poor sleep, refusal to eat, then you should visit a veterinarian for a diagnosis and timely treatment.

Cat aggression has a number of different causes.