Why Do Cats Hissing? what does it mean when a cat hisses at other cat or you.

Many cat owners are familiar with cats hissing to interact with humans or other cats. For new cat owners, the question may be why do cats hiss or what does it mean when a cat hisses at another cat? In this article, you will learn the meaning of cat hissing and its reasons.

Cat hissing meaning

It is a distinctive “hiss” sound that is sudden, sharp, and loud, similar to a “chsssss” sound made by a strong blow of air or a tightening of the throat. While hissing, cats widen their eyes, arch their backs, and make sharp hisses. They have inherited this habit from their wild cat relatives, who warn away predators in open fields and forests by making aggressive hissing sounds.

To make themselves appear larger, they display bared teeth, raise their fur, and hold their tails up in a threatened or defensive position. Cats use hissing not only to show shapes but also to communicate a variety of emotions.

Why do cats hiss

Hissing doesn’t just mean that the cat is angry or wants to attack. Cats use hissing to express a variety of other feelings, such as fear. To understand your cat better, you need to identify the types of hissing sounds made by the cat. The types of hissing sounds a cat makes are as follows:

1. Warning or Aggressive Hisses

In these, the cat hisses by widening the eyes, raising the fur, pulling the tail straight, making the hair stand on end, and showing sharp teeth. Through hissing sounds, the cat warns the other person to keep a distance or else it will attack and brings its front paws into an attacking position. It usually does this in front of strangers or dogs.

2. Defensive Hisses

Cats use defensive hisses when they get caught in some kind of cage or trap. it feels threatened and this is her way of telling her “Give me some space”. they often used Defensive cats hissing during vet clinics and grooming sessions.

3. Playful Hisses

cat hissing while playing out of excitement when it is in the mood to play and to get attention but it is not aggressive or loud. This is a relaxed form of hissing that it does with other cats or sibling pets. It hisses loudly in the house and when you notice it, it hisses at you as if to say “Hey human let’s play”

4. Fear-Based Hisses

It hisses when it is not comfortable with strangers. When it feels the emotion of fear, it hisses for self-defense. It sounds deeper and is ready to flee.

5. Hissing due to Pain

Cats hide pain or discomfort, but in extreme pain, they become irritated which they express by hissing. If your cat is going through any physical condition or pain, then you should call it by its name in a slow and calm voice and try petting it, which will give it some relief.

Cat hissing at each other

Being a cat lover, you must have also thought what does it mean when a cat hisses at another cat? There can be many reasons for this. Let us see these reasons in detail.

Territorial Disputes

Cats are predators who are very possessive about their territory. Just like wild cats, they too can have a confrontation over territory in which they show their dominance over that territory by loudly hissing at the cat in front, which can be seen mostly in male cats.

Sometimes this hissing turns into a fight in which cats also use different types of sounds like high-aaoo and aunoo.

Redirected Aggression

Sometimes cats hiss out of confusion. For example, if your cat sees a stranger cat on the other side of the door, it hisses at other pet cats out of confusion. Sometimes, a cat hisses at other cats after a vet visit because it has met new cats and may be nervous.

But this hissing is temporary. If your cat is constantly hissing at other cats, the reason could be something else. It could be in pain, for which you should take it to the vet.

Age difference

Kittens are more active and playful, whereas adult cats and senior cats prefer to sleep most of the day. In such a case, due to their creativity and mischievousness, kittens disturb adult cats while they are sleeping, which they do not like at all, in reaction to which they get irritated and suddenly hiss, which is like blowing off steam.

On the contrary, kittens hiss at adult cats only when they grab or bite the kittens forcefully while playing. In such a case, you do not need to worry as with time both learn to live peacefully with each other.

How to Respond When Cats Hiss at Each Other

Hissing is a natural behavior of cats and there is nothing to worry about. All you need to do is be patient and calm. Here are some tips to reduce hissing between cats.

• Give them personal space: Cats are very choosy and take time to get used to new things and stranger cats. Give both cats their separate resources like food bowls, toys, scratching posts, etc.
• Use Calming Aids: There are many pheromone diffusers available in the market in the form of sprays and treats but use them only after consulting a veterinarian.
• Do not force introduction: Most cat owners make the mistake of introducing both cats without any precaution, which can make the cats nervous and attack each other. Always keep one cat in a cage and introduce the other cat slowly.
• Use positive reinforcement: When your cat is quiet, give him some goodies or attention. This promotes trust and can minimize hissing. Make sure your cat has a secure and comfortable place.

Cat hissing at owner

You might be wondering why my cat hisses at me even though I have not harmed her. She does this when she is uncomfortable and insecure. Cats hiss at humans when they are scared or unfamiliar to them. Every cat breed has a different behavior. Persian, Himalayan, and Maine coon cats are very friendly and calm and easily mingle with new people but some cats are not very human-friendly and they hiss to show their fear.

Cat hissing at other cat after vet: Post-Treatment Behavior

Visiting the veterinarian can be stressful for cats. They may become frightened and protective in response to novel sights, sounds, and sensations. Owners must understand why cat hissing and chargingat other cat.
Cats become worried when their routine is disrupted.

Being taken out of their comfort zone might cause them to hiss. Furthermore, procedures such as blood draws or injections may make children feel vulnerable. This increases the likelihood that they will hiss.

Unfamiliar surroundings: The sights, sounds, and scents of a vet office can overwhelm cats, causing anxiety and hissing.

Physical Discomfort: Procedures such as injections or manipulation may induce pain and discomfort, resulting in hissing.

Cat hissing at her kittens

Most cat owners know that a mother cat hissing new kitten, although it may look a little strange, is a part of cat parenting.

When a kitten is away from its mother, the mother hisses to stay close and safe. This is a kind of warning to keep the kitten away from danger. Kittens are very curious, which is why they try to run away. The mother hisses to help the kitten stay within their boundaries.

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Also read: Why Doesn’t My Cat Purr? Understanding Cat Purring And What It Means