Encountering a cat hissing can be a little frightening, however, don't panic, they are probably more scared than you are! Why do cats hiss? Hissing is a common and important vocalisation cats use to communicate when they’re feeling defensive. Other common vocalisations include yowling, purring and meowing, which all have unique sounds and meanings, so it is important to learn their lingo! Hissing is almost always a negative reaction, so we advise you to find the root cause to restore calm within your household and understand your cat’s needs better.
Why do cats hiss?
If your cat is hissing, it generally means your pet feels fearful, aggressive or territorial. Why is my cat hissing at me? Cats use vocalisations such as hissing as a natural defence mechanism to warn animals or humans away due to fear or pain. Hissing can be accompanied by other behaviours such as growling, flattened ears, lunging, bared teeth or an arched back. Observing your cat’s overall body language will give you more context about the reasons behind their hiss!
Hissing due to fear
So, why do cats hiss? The main cause of cat hissing is fear, so it is important to identify the root cause of their anxiety and address it swiftly as nobody wants their pet living in fear! Common hissing triggers include loud noises (like the hoover), unfamiliar people/animals and unexpected movements. Cats may also hiss if they feel 'cornered' or trapped when something they are fearful of is blocking their exit. Cats also tend to hiss when they feel threatened, or when they are being challenged by another animal.
Pain-induced hissing
It is important to remember that a cat hissing can sometimes mean your pet is in physical discomfort or pain. If your cat is hissing for no particular reason, when you touch a certain part of their body or when you attempt to pick them up, this could be a sign that they are injured. Be wary of your cat’s body language when evaluating if a hissing cat is injured and be sure to book an appointment with your vet for a check-up if you think they are hissing due to pain.
Social and territorial hissing
Why do my cats hiss at each other? Sometimes hissing can be due to social and territorial reasons. Cats are known to hiss at each other to establish territorial boundaries in multi-cat households. Cats also hiss due to disputes over territory with other cats in the neighbourhood and during first introductions with new cats, pets or humans!
Why do cats hiss at each other?
As we mentioned previously, cats usually hiss at each other to communicate, for territorial and social reasons. Common reasons for hissing include establishing territorial boundaries, disputes over territory and when meeting new cats, people or animals. Cats do not have a linear hierarchy, which can make interactions with other cats more complex. Hissing is a way of establishing boundaries for cats, which is why cats hiss at each other so much.
Why is my cat hissing at me?
Worried about your cat hissing at you? Don’t fret if it happens infrequently, this is just your cat’s way of letting you know they’re feeling scared or threatened. Once you find the cause of their worry you can work together to avoid triggering them again.
Why is my cat hissing at me? There are a variety of reasons but they all stem from fear. Observe your cat’s body language and what is happening in their environment for clues. Are they hissing at another pet in the house? This is territorial behaviour. Is your cat hissing at you during playtime? This could mean they are feeling overstimulated, utilising our tips for playing with your cat can help avoid this type of hissing.
Why is my cat hissing at the new pet?
It can be tricky introducing new pets into your household and you may encounter some hissing along the way. Why do cats hiss at each other? Hissing is your cat’s way of telling you they’re feeling threatened by the newcomer, but hopefully, this won't last long after some gentle socialisation. Hissing at new pets happens for understandable reasons such as jealousy or insecurity, usually over resources such as your attention and food. Cats also hiss not out of fear but to appear threatening to another cat as a form of proactive self-defence. Ensuring that you spend enough quality time with your pet and that they do not feel like they are fighting for resources such as food, litter trays, toys or space will also help. We advise introducing your cat to new pets slowly and gradually, using treats to reinforce any positive interactions, to speed up the process. Never punish your cat for hissing, they will not understand why they are being punished and this creates distrust which could exacerbate the behaviour.
Why is my cat randomly hissing at nothing?
If you find your cat is hissing at nothing, unseen stimuli may be the root cause, such as a dog on the street outside. Be vigilant for symptoms of underlying health issues that could be causing this defensive behaviour. If you suspect that unseen stimuli are not to blame for the defensive hissing and notice other symptoms such as loss of appetite, it is time to schedule a check-up at your vet!
What should I do If my cat hisses?
If you’re dealing with a hissing cat, remember to keep calm and treat them with kindness and empathy, they are hissing because they are afraid, too! Check out our guide to help you along the way.
- If your cat is hissing at you, back away and give them some space and time to cool down, avoid making direct eye contact as cats find this threatening even from their owners.
- If your pet is hissing at a new cat, person or animal in the home, separate them and then gradually reintroduce them. You can use treats to reward your pet after positive interactions. Make sure their safe space is always easily accessible.
- Enrich your cat’s home and remove stressors to avoid defensive behaviour starting. If the noise of your hoover is a trigger, avoid hoovering when they are in the room. Make their space feel as safe as possible by providing cat trees, shelves, boxes and areas they can retreat to or hide in when they feel unsafe, this will help reduce stress building up in the first place.
- It is also a good idea to ensure you have enough litter trays, food and water bowls available. Cats may become aggressive if they feel like they have to compete for resources around their home.
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Cat hissing - FAQ
Should I ignore a hissing cat?
Don’t ignore a hissing cat if the hissing is happening frequently and repeatedly. Cats use vocalisations such as hissing as a natural defence mechanism to warn animals or humans away due to fear or pain. Hissing is almost always a negative reaction, so it’s important to find the root cause to restore calm within your household and understand your cat’s needs more fully.
How much hissing is too much?
Hissing is a common and important vocalisation that cats use to communicate defensive feelings. Some hissing is to be expected, especially when cats make new introductions. Cats can still get along even if hissing is involved, make sure to reward them after positive interactions to speed up the process. Hissing is almost always a fearful reaction, so it’s important to ascertain the root cause to restore peace within your household and understand your cat’s needs more fully. Hissing could be a sign of injury or illness, which is why it is important to understand.
How do you calm a hissing cat?
Once you find the root trigger for your cat’s hissing you can work together to avoid triggering them again. Observe your cat’s body language and what is happening in their environment for clues. If your cat is hissing at you, back away and give them some space and time to cool down, avoid making direct eye contact as cats find this threatening even from their owners. If your pet is hissing at a new cat, person or animal in the home, separate them and then gradually reintroduce them. You can use treats to reward your pet after positive interactions.
Should I punish my cat for hissing?
You should never punish your cat for hissing, they will not understand why they are being punished and could become distrustful of you, exacerbating the behaviour. Instead, keep calm and treat them with kindness and empathy, they are hissing because they are afraid of something or in pain! Once you find the root cause of their hissing you can work together to avoid triggering them again.
