Why a cat hisses at a person: five possible reasons

The sound of a cat hissing can be downloaded free and safely here in MP3. We have collected sounds of aggressive hissing, angry, threatening, and also a warning when a cat wants to be left alone. A cat sometimes hisses at its fellows, simply because it doesn’t want to play.

Total sounds: 10

Author of the publication: Lenova

The sound of a cat hissing is quite monotonous, even the color of the hissing sound of different domestic cats is very similar. The same cannot be said about meowing. This is where cats show incredible diversity. But the situations in which you can hear the sound of hissing can be very different.

Cats do not always make a hissing sound in a state of extreme anger. In our selection there is a sound when a cat hisses and gets angry while sitting next to a cage with a bird. The bird does not pay attention to her and this literally infuriates the cat. The characters of these cute animals are still the same.

Why do cats hiss?

Lili Chin
Hissing is a warning. As a rule, most cats try to avoid fights and direct confrontations. They use body language, marks, and sounds, including hissing, to establish boundaries and clarify relationships.

The hissing cat warns its opponent that it is better not to mess with it.

Cats hiss when they sense immediate danger or are very frightened of something or someone. For example, cats hiss at each other before a fight, warning that they are ready to defend themselves. The hissing cat is scared, but ready to fight back if necessary.

At the same time, in their minds, anything can be a danger: the appearance of an unfamiliar cat or dog, an examination by a veterinarian, or even a careless gesture or movement of the owner. It happens that cats hiss at strangers, for example your guests. In this case, it is better to ask the guest not to touch the cat.

Animal psychologists suggest that cats learned to hiss by imitating the hissing of snakes, because most animals are afraid of snakes, including those that can threaten the cat.

A characteristic feature of some breeds

For cats of certain breeds, hissing is a mandatory element of communication. This is how they try to convey important information. For example, Abyssinians and Cornish Rex hiss when they want to run and frolic, but there is no such opportunity. These cats are very active and the restriction of their mobility causes dissatisfaction. Cats, owners of fluffy coats made of long hair, will hiss if you want to stroke them after they have spent a long time and concentratedly putting their “outfits” in order. Vulnerable hairless Egyptian cats will definitely react if you touch them with cold hands. There are also breeds for which there is no need for a reason to hiss at all. These are aggressive Siamese and Bengal cats.

Why do cats hiss at kittens?

Cats don't hiss at their kittens. But if you bring a new kitten into your home, the cat may greet him with hissing.

The reason is still the same: for your cat, even this baby is something unfamiliar and potentially dangerous, in case he eats all the food or wins the favor of the owner, so you need to warn the newcomer who is in charge here.

To avoid such hissing, never introduce your cat to another cat or kitten right away. Give them time. Ideally, the new animal should live in a separate room for the first time, so that the cats gradually get used to the smell and presence of each other, and interest will prevail over fear.

Breed characteristics

The character of a cat largely depends on the breed. For some breeds, hissing is a way of conveying information.

• Siamese cat. Although this is a fairly popular breed of domestic cat, almost all Siamese have a difficult character. If you've ever been scratched by a Siamese cat, you won't forget it for a long time. And if you yourself are the owner of a “Siamese”, then most likely you will constantly walk around with scratches. “Siamese,” among other things, are also cunning and insidious: if they decide that they are offended by you, they may not take revenge immediately, but after a while they may take you by surprise.

Siamese cat

• Bobtail. At first glance, bobtails with tails reminiscent of rabbits look cute and innocent. But they are close relatives of the Siamese, so they have a suspicious and independent character. It is even recommended to keep cats of this breed as guards if for some reason you cannot get a dog.

Bobtail

• Abyssinian breed. Like the Siamese, they tend to take revenge for insults. They can snap even in a harmless situation. Abyssinians need constant attention. Otherwise they run wild.

Abyssinian cat

• Maine Coon. These “muscles” from the cat world can weigh up to 15 kg. They appear to be good-natured and lazy, and sometimes there are recommendations to have them for children. But you should be careful with Maine Coons.

Maine Coon

• British Shorthair. The British look like soft plush toys. But in fact, they are very independent and cannot stand it when people treat them with familiarity - pick them up, pull them. The British are accustomed to royal treatment.

British shorthair breed

• Sphinx. Hairless cat breeds may simply not like the fact that you try to pet them with cold hands.

Sphinx

What to do if your cat hisses

A hiss is a warning that should not be ignored, because if the cat cannot escape, an attack will usually follow.

Therefore, if a cat hisses:

• give her time to calm down;
• give her the opportunity to run and hide (unless you are at the vet's office, of course);
• do not punish or scold her for hissing;
• if it is an unfamiliar cat, let it get used to your smell before picking it up or touching it;
• try to avoid situations that frighten the cat.

If your cat hisses at you every time you pick him up, it could be a sign that something is hurting him.

If you examined your cat and the veterinarian did not find anything that could hurt, it means that your cat does not trust you and is afraid of you. Well, it's worth working on building trust!

When can a cat hiss for no reason?

Why does a cat hiss not only at a stranger for no reason, but also at you? If your animal's behavior defies any logic, if the animal was examined by a veterinarian and said that it is healthy, then perhaps your cat's hissing lies in the following:

• heredity . Do not forget that each cat has its own character, for which genes are responsible. If the kitten's father or mother had a conflicting and quarrelsome disposition, most likely the kitten will inherit this. Especially if you picked up a street kitten.
• I smelled someone else's scent . This can happen if you were visiting someone with a pet and brought a foreign smell on your clothes or shoes.
• provocative games. A cat may hiss if it doesn't like your games. Cats begin to hiss if you suddenly put your hands in front of her, scaring the cat.
• The cat just doesn't like people. Animals, like some people, feel better alone. They cannot stand it when there are many people in the room, when the cat is given too much attention. Then they begin to defend themselves, using hissing as a warning.

What to pay attention to

An attentive owner will always see the ambiguous behavior of his pet and, if necessary, take action.
In the case when he lies on his stomach, does not allow himself to be touched, and hissing is replaced by purring - this is a serious reason to show him to the doctor. The cat notifies itself of pain by hissing, and calms itself by purring. The same sounds often accompany depression. The reason may be that a kitten is taken away from its mother. She can stare at one point for a long time, refuse food, call the baby by meowing, and lie for a long time in the lambing area. It is worth distracting the animal with something, for example, a favorite treat, a game, and treating the bed with mint infusion.

Aggression with hissing can occur during the female's heat period, as this is how she attracts the attention of males. The owner should watch his pet; if she often licks her genitals, it means the cat is in heat. Here you need to look for a couple or resort to medicinal drugs. Snorting can be a response to any medical or hygienic procedure, bathing. It’s worth taking a closer look at the animal, maybe it’s asking for help.

Psychology and mysticism

Cats are extremely sensitive and to a certain extent mystical animals; they very subtly sense the energy of other people. It is for this reason that if an always calm and friendly pet selectively hisses at a particular person, you should be careful and be careful with him.

According to ancient beliefs, cats can see spirits and astral entities present in the house and react to them with the help of hissing, an aggressive posture and tousled fur. In this way, they try to drive out otherworldly creatures, demonstrating with their terrifying appearance that they are the rightful masters here.

Territory defense

If a new person appears in the house, and even more so another animal, the cat will definitely strive to prove its right to the territory. If you get another pet, be prepared to be on guard at first and maybe even break up fights. The cat is sensitive to encroachment on any of its places, its favorite toys and human attention. You need to be patient and give her a little more attention. Pet the cat, show it that you love it, and over time there will be peace in your home.

"Hises like a snake"

Hissing is a very specific sound, eloquently indicating a strong negative reaction. A surge of irritation and negative emotions confirms the entire appearance of the animal:

• open mouth with demonstration of the entire combat set of teeth;
• burning eyes with dilated pupils;
• ears pressed to the head;
• an angry bristling mustache;
• raised wool.

Associated reactions. Depending on the degree of threat and personal temperament, the severity of the defensive reaction is not always the same, so a hissing cat may:

1. At the next moment, quickly retreat, fleeing.
2. Take a characteristic pose with an arched back and fluffy tail raised up, which means a more serious attitude and an attempt to intimidate the enemy.
3. Apply several blows with a clawed paw, while grouping yourself and pressing your stomach to the ground, which symbolizes the intention to fight. The tail twitches nervously or whips from side to side.

Who is guilty. Dissatisfaction, fear and aggression, encrypted in hissing, can be directed both at a specific living object (a rival cat, a dog, a stranger) and “into space”, being initiated by a sudden loud sound or a flashing shadow. Regardless of the source, the cat's expression of displeasure, when further provoked, can develop into an attempt at violent self-defense and end in a harsh aggressive attack.

Hissing is one of the communication options

Hissing is not always a sign of aggression and warning. Cats can hiss from fear, stress, or depression. Sometimes with this behavior the animal attracts attention to itself and wants to be reassured. Therefore, in the absence of objective reasons for hissing, you should try to stroke, caress your pet, and talk to it. But, if the animal shows that it wants to be alone, it is better to leave it alone for a while.

Cats can often hiss while sitting near a window or front door. The reason for this is the emergence of a potential competitor on the horizon. In such cases, the hissing may be followed by an attack on the owners or a mark of their own territory. According to experts, this is explained by the so-called switchable aggression.

You should not touch your pet during a meal, as this can provoke food aggression.

That is why it is not recommended to accustom a kitten to hand feeding; at some point the animal may regard human palms as competitors and attack them.

Bad mood

Cats can also be in a bad mood. If she is not in the mood to communicate and is in a bad mood, then it is better not to disturb her. Otherwise, its owner's mood will deteriorate.

Maybe right now she doesn’t want to be stroked or touched, and the owner is trying to show care and love. It is logical that the animal will respond with a hiss, or maybe something more convincing, for example, a wave of its paw.

By the way, it’s quite easy to understand that a cat is in a bad mood. It is enough to pay attention to the expression of her muzzle, the position of her body and ears. If a cat is angry, it is better not to approach it.

Why does a pet suddenly become aggressive and attack its owners?

Most often, aggressive behavior is not a pathological deviation, but a consequence of the emotional state of the animal

It is necessary not only to pay attention to the immediate circumstances that led to the manifestation of hostility, but also to look for reasons in the environment, in previous events, in the cat’s past. Patient observation of your pet will help you find triggers and take measures to eliminate them.

Reaction to pain and ill health

Pain is the most common cause of sudden aggression, especially in older or restless cats. Arthritis, dental disease, injury or infection are just some of the reasons that can cause aggressive behavior. In this case, the attack occurs not only after touching, but also when the suffering pet tries to prevent possible painful contact.

Other physiological conditions also lead to aggression. Cognitive decline, loss of normal sensory perception (hearing, vision, smell) or neurological problems distort instinctive mechanisms for recognizing danger.

Sudden fear or prolonged stress

Aggression can occur in a situation where the cat feels threatened or trapped. The fight-or-flight reflex involves the sympathetic nervous system: if there is nowhere to run, the only option is to fight. Having instantly mobilized all its physical capabilities, the cat rushes to attack, and therefore such cases are especially dangerous.

Long-term stress in cats is caused by both excessive attention and neglect on the part of the owner or mistress. Not all representatives of this genus can tolerate endless affection and contact with people

“Loved” pets are in a state of stress and can react with spontaneous hostility to violation of their personal space. Parting with the owner or limiting contact with him can also provoke outbursts of rage, the purpose of which is to attract attention to oneself.

Unpleasant changes: a new smell, rearrangement of furniture, appearance of a competitor

Adaptation to new conditions is another stress factor for a cat. The aggression that arises in connection with this is called status aggression. It may arise if the owner decides to move the pet to another room, change the feeding place, or introduce new rules of the hostel. Jealousy towards other pets can also cause sudden outbursts.

Redirected aggression occurs when a cat is scared or upset, but instead of going after the true object of concern, it turns its anger towards an easy target. To relieve excitement from an external and inaccessible stimulus - unpleasant noise, smell, game, competitors, she rushes at any person nearby.

Fight for freedom, food and territory

A pronounced sense of ownership is found in both females and males. This type of behavior, unlike normal and temporary maternal aggression, can create problems. The target of an attack can be not only animals or unfamiliar visitors, but also the owners themselves. For example, it is often said that a mustachioed villain attacked one of the family members after he was forced to sit behind a closed door. There are cases when an irritated pet deliberately bites its owner, who is trying to intervene in his conflict with competitors.

Many cats, deprived of human contact at an early age, perceive their presence as a threat and use their claws and teeth to put the “enemy” to flight. While on its territory, the unsociable predator bites and scratches the alien and calms down only after it manages to drive him away.

Hissing as a breed trait

It has been noted that hissing may be a consequence of the breed's temperament. Thus, emotional, easily excitable cats, characterized by a quick and vivid reaction to what is happening, are prone to outbursts of emotions. These are, for example:

• Siamese;
• egyptian Mau,
• Turkish van;
• Abyssinians;
• Cornish Rex;
• orientals.

Living in isolation and lack of regular physical activity does not benefit the character of these cats, making them even more obnoxious and grouchy.

Features of other breeds. Persian and Siberian cats are very jealous of the cleanliness of their “fur coat” and can become angry if you constantly touch them with your hands. In turn, independent British people do not like hugs and cuddles, so they can hiss when treated with familiarity. And sphinxes are prone to sound outpourings and can hiss from an excess of feelings without any negative connotation.

What should you not do in the process of education?

In the process of upbringing, owners often make mistakes, reinforcing and encouraging unacceptable norms of behavior. This is due to insufficient knowledge of the psychology of cats and the principles of the formation of cause-and-effect relationships.

To wean a kitten from biting, you need to know what actions are prohibited during the raising process.

• Physical punishment. It reinforces aggressive behavior towards the owner and also contributes to the emergence of new behavioral problems.
• Unsystematic approach to education. A situation where sometimes biting is scolded and sometimes ignored will confuse the kitten. In this case, the learning process will be significantly more difficult and will take more time.
• Using physical pressure. If the kitten is afraid, do not force it to behave friendly. This will make the situation worse. Trying to forcefully overcome a kitten's fear will increase the animal's stress level.

The cat doesn't trust its owner

The owner does not always treat the animal well. Some people may allow themselves to kick or push an animal when it is “in the way.” It is clear that with such an attitude the animal will soon cease to trust its owner.

Problems may arise when a person adopts an adult cat. It is unknown how she lived before. It is likely that people offended her and beat her.

It is also difficult for a cat to trust a person if it has not previously had contact with people. For example, a cat that was born in a basement and grew up without any human intervention will have to be socialized. This is not easy, and you need to prepare for aggressive behavior.

Unmet cat needs

If the owner systematically does not satisfy the needs of the animal, such behavior is also possible. If he doesn't put food in her, doesn't pour water, doesn't clean the tray, the cat will start meowing. She says: “Master, have you forgotten about me? I need you to feed me."

If the owner continues to ignore the cat's needs, it will soon begin to hiss: “Why are you ignoring me? I want you to comply with my demands." However, not all animals behave this way, but those to whose upbringing their owners paid little attention.

When to see a doctor

If aggression becomes obvious, it means the animal is in pain. It is recommended to consult a doctor if it is necessary to show the animal to a specialist. The identified symptoms may be one of the following diseases:

• periodontal disease;
• fracture, other injury;
• otitis;
• toxoplasmosis;
• arthritis;
• poisoning and so on.

Stop punishment! The poor animal is stressed and needs help. A neglected slipper will only aggravate the situation. You can’t do this even with a healthy pet. A flying object has enormous impact force and can cause both physical and mental trauma to an animal. You need to learn to understand your pet, this will help you understand some of the reasons for his behavior. A person is responsible for an animal; conflicts can always be avoided if you treat your pet with affection and love.

We try to fill our website with useful information so that you can always find answers to your questions, and we are also waiting for you in our hotel for cats. Find out how to train a cat to crate and how to train a kitten to crate.

Preparing for an attack

By hissing, the cat indicates that it is ready to attack. If the owner or his guests ignore the cat's body signals, it may attack. This is a warning sign before an attack.

Don't think that cat scratches are nonsense. Sometimes a pet can cause serious health damage.

By the way, it may happen that the cat will simply redirect its aggression towards you. For example, she will see a cat on the next balcony, but she cannot get it. Therefore, she will have to take out her anger on the person or animal that is always nearby.

Hissing is a warning measure

The hissing of a cat is primarily a warning maneuver; the animal demonstrates that it is better not to touch it and generally stay away. Often this behavior occurs when there is potential danger. Cats are brave animals and thus show that, although they are scared, they are still ready to defend themselves if necessary.

Various factors can act as danger, for example, the appearance of another representative of the animal world in the territory of a furry pet, strangers, loud noises, careless gestures of the owners.

You can assess the condition of a cat by its appearance at the moment of hissing and immediately before it. Even an affectionate pet becomes tense, arches its back, presses its ears, and its pupils constrict, which indicates a surge of adrenaline and a high degree of concentration. And the raised fur gives the cat a frightening, menacing appearance and even increases its size somewhat.

Fright

Anything can scare a cat: an unfamiliar environment, a stranger, an incomprehensible smell, a sharp and loud sound. Sometimes fear is associated with unpleasant memories. For example, when visiting a veterinarian, a cat remembered pain and a frightening smell. Finding itself in the same situation after some time and hearing the same aroma, the cat hisses. Try to distract her with something tasty or pet her.

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.