Why do cats hiss at you for no reason

Have you ever heard your cat hiss at someone who enters your home or does your cat run off and hide? While it might not make any sense to you, your cat is trying to communicate with you.

When your cat hides, he is doing so to stay safe and warm, and when your cat hisses he is saying, “Back off — this is my personal space.”

Hiding Makes Cats Feel Safe

In the wild, cats hunt alone. They depend on stealth to survive; not only to avoid enemies, but also to hide from prey they want to catch. Cats like warmth and small places help to retain their body heat. Smaller spaces that protect a cat’s back are also easier to defend. However, cats also always want an emergency exit. That’s why your cat loves that new basket you bought or the cardboard box you just unpacked.

Misconceptions About Hissing

Hissing in cats is a commonly misinterpreted behavior. Contrary to popular belief, hissing is not an aggressive behavior, nor is it generally exhibited by an aggressive cat. Hissing is a defensive gesture. It is almost always exhibited by a cat that feels victimized, antagonized, or threatened in some way. Hissing is often a way to avoid a physical confrontation. In cat-to-cat dynamics and inter-cat aggression, the cat that hisses regularly is almost always the victim cat or the one to be chased or antagonized. Hissing is simply an emotional expression of discomfort, fear, or stress. A hissing kitty feels threatened, insecure, and uncomfortable. The common misconception is that the cat that hisses is “teasing” or “taunting” the other cat, dog, or person.

What is Your Cat Saying When He Hisses?

Hissing is simply an expression of emotion; “I’m upset,” “I feel threatened,” “I’m uncomfortable,” or “I’m scared.” Whether your cat is hissing at veterinary staff or a newcomer to the household, your cat is feeling vulnerable, threatened, or insecure. If you try to “correct” or punish your cat for hissing, you will only make a bad or scary situation worse, and make your cat more upset.

What You Should Do When Your Cat Hisses or Hides

• Give him space. Do not try to hold your cat or comfort him.
• Let your cat feel secure. Do not stare at him. Let him hide.
• Give your cat time. Cats may take hours to calm down, not minutes.
• When he is calm, coax your cat out with food and/or catnip. Remember: do not look him directly in the eyes and approach from the side. You are less threatening this way.

Obviously, there are many things that your cat may be upset by or dislike. By being aware that when your kitty hisses, he is feeling afraid, threatened, or uncomfortable, you can change or modify the way you interpret your cat’s behavior or inter-feline dynamics.

Contributed by Dr. Evelyn Richer, DVM and Alana Stevenson, MS

Do you notice your cat hissing often? Have you gotten concerned about how often she hisses at you, other animals, or almost any intrusion into her space? If you are a cat owner, you may worry about hissing as an uncommon behavior in your feline friend.

In this article, we will explain six of the most common reasons why you might notice your cat hissing more often than she usually does. Read through these possibilities to see if you can narrow down the options, and don’t be afraid to take your pet to the vet if she needs medical attention.

Your Cat May Be in Pain

One of the most concerning reasons why cats may hiss often is because of pain. Hissing may be a warning to tell you to stay away from them because they hurt and they do not want you to touch them. They may also hiss because they do not understand the reason why they are in pain. In all of these situations, you need to take your cat to the veterinarian to figure out what is causing her to be in so much pain, especially because it could be a real emergency.

Your Cat Could Be Sick

Cats may hiss if they are sick, especially with chronic illnesses, too. If your cat’s body is not working the way it should due to organ failure or severe disease, she may hiss often. Once again, if you think this could potentially be the cause, you should take your cat to the vet immediately. If you catch these types of problems ahead of time, you may be able to treat your cat’s health condition or at least manage it moving forward.

Feeling Anxious or Scared

Another common cause of hissing in cats is anxiety or fear.

If your cat is afraid of something, she may start hissing often. For example, if you have a dog in your home that your cat is afraid of, even if she doesn’t really have a reason to be afraid, she may hunker down and hiss. Cats who are hissing out of fear may press their ears flat back against their heads, puff up their tails, and keep their eyes extra-wide. These are all good ways to tell that fear is causing your cat’s hissing.

Anxiety is similar. If your cat is suddenly put into a new situation that makes her uncomfortable or anxious, she may start hissing and showing similar body language.

Redirected or Petting Aggression

Both redirected aggression and petting aggression are common behavior issues seen in cats. These issues can be mild and self limiting due to anxiety and/or a change in routine or environment. They can also become a more chronic and severe issue that can affect the human animal bond. If your cat is experiencing this, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Warning Humans and Other Pets

Your cat hisses to communicate that they do not want to be bothered. Some cats may simply hiss because they want you or another human member of the family to leave them alone and let them have their space, and they may also hiss at other pets in a similar way.

If your cat is not very friendly toward humans or other animals, she may hiss often to tell intruders to leave her alone. This is just a warning to let these people or pets know they may be scratched if they don’t heed it. Continuing to bother her anyway may result in a swat or two!

Your Cat Could Be Looking for a Mate

Finally, non-neutered male cats may hiss while they are looking for a mate. They often do this to show other male cats that they have sharp teeth and the ability to fight. This may also be a sign that your cat is about to get into a bad fight with another cat, so if you notice the behavior and can safely move your cat to another location, this is a good idea.

Female cats are less likely to hiss due to mating than male cats, but it isn’t impossible to note this behavior in female cats who have not been spayed.

Talk with a Vet if Your Cat’s Hissing

These are not the only reasons why your cat may be hissing often, but they represent some of the most common problems related to frequent cat hissing. As with any abnormal pet behavior that you can’t explain, you should take your cat to the vet if you truly cannot solve the problem. Since health problems and pain may be contributing factors, it is important to rule out these possibilities as you work to figure out what is going on with your cat.

For more information about why your cat may be hissing, or if you’d like to make an appointment, contact any of our locations today. Our team at OrlandoVets will help you get to the bottom of your cat’s hissing and will be able to provide help and advice for what to do going forward.

Hearing your cat hiss and growl can be pretty scary. Whether he's hissing at other cats, your dog, or even you, it can leave you feeling unnerved. It's important to remember your cat isn't hissing to be a bully or trying to be mean. Hissing is a basic form of communication for cats, and it's supposed to sound intimidating. That's the whole point! You can best help a hissing cat by understanding his language and the motivations behind his hiss.

Hissing Is a Form of Communication

When you're extra stressed, you might yell, cry, or kick at the ground. If you feel threatened, you might call out for someone to help you. Cats can also feel stressed or threatened, but they don't express themselves in the same way humans do. For cats, a hiss or even a growl is part of their communication style. You might think it's the same as physically punching someone—an act of anger. But often, it's more of a warning and a way of saying, "Hey, I'm feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable, so give me some space."

Of course, sometimes it can lead to cats fighting or to a scratch or a bite. In the beginning, it's more of a request to give the cat some space. However, it's definitely not something to ignore. If your cat hisses when you touch him, it might mean he's in pain.1 It's a good idea to visit your veterinarian if your cat's personality suddenly changes.

Why Do Cats Hiss at Other Cats or Even Kittens?

Sometimes cats hiss at other adult cats to show dominance. Cats are territorial and may have specific spaces in your home marked as "theirs." When another cat encroaches on that space, hissing might occur to re-establish the hierarchy in your home until they learn to get along again.

Even if your cats are friends, one might start hissing at the other if something changes. For example, if you bring one cat back from the veterinarian, your other cat might hiss because she smells funny.

As for kittens, hissing can even be a "teaching tool," letting a kitten know when she's scratched or bitten too hard during play. But if you hear an adult cat hissing at a kitten, watch closely; you don't want your kitten getting hurt!

Keep in mind that not all hissing between cats is bad. Adult cats sometimes "play fight," and they'll lightly hiss and scratch at each other while playing. If they actually injure each other or you find one cowering in a corner, that means playtime has turned into a bona fide fight.

Why Do Cats Hiss at Dogs?

Cats hiss at dogs for many of the same reasons they hiss at other cats. If your cat feels intimidated by your dog, he might hiss to reassert dominance. He's telling your dog not to venture in too close. Since dogs and cats speak different languages, your dog might not pick up what your cat's trying to say. Your dog might even be tempted to chase your cat, which you need to stop right away.

If your cat is feeling particularly stressed by one of your other pets (dog or cat), you may need to reintroduce them to each other. You can do this by keeping them in separate rooms for a bit and feeding them on opposite sides of a closed door. Let them get used to each other's smells in a non-threatening environment. Once they're calmer, slowly give them supervised face-to-face meetings.

Why Do Cats Hiss at People?

Is your cat hissing at a roommate or a guest? There's a reason for this too. Cats hiss at people because they feel intimidated or don't recognize the person's smells.2 They might even pick up the smell of another animal on your friend! If this happens, tell your friend not to approach your cat or try to pet her. The best action is to ignore your cat. In "cat language," this communicates that your friend isn't a threat or trying to take any of her territory. In time, your cat might venture out to learn more about this strange-smelling person.

But cats don't just hiss at strangers. Sometimes your cat might even hiss at you, seemingly out of nowhere. Many things can prompt this, but it's usually because your cat is overstimulated and feeling insecure. There's just too much going on, and she needs everyone to back off for a bit. When taken outside on a harness for a walk, even the friendliest cat might get overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds. If you reach down to pet your kitty at the wrong time, she might hiss at you, swat, or even bite your hand.

If your cat recently had something really scare her, she might hiss at you when things seem normal. It doesn't mean she's mad at you; it just means she has a lot going on in her head and she's feeling overwhelmed. Don't scold her or yell at her; it will only make things worse.3 Instead, give her space, move slowly when you're nearby, and wait for her to approach you. You can also give her a few extra "comfort treats."

Comfort Zone Products Can Help

Your cat's "e-meow-tional" health is just as important as his physical health. You can use Comfort Zone products to help manage stress and promote a sense of relaxation. If your cat is hissing at other cats in the home, try the Comfort Zone Multi-Cat Diffuser. If he's the only cat, use the Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser. Use either product in the rooms where your cat spends the most time.

You can give him a Comfort Zone Calming Collar to wear instead, so the comforting vapors are with him wherever he goes.

More Ways to Help Stop a Cat from Hissing

You won't be able to stop a cat from hissing forever. But you can help your kitty feel more comfortable, so hissing becomes rare rather than commonplace.

Cats can often gain confidence when they have "high spaces" to call their own. Try to put cat shelves on your walls and set up cat trees and cat condos in the areas where your cat tends to hiss. She might need an escape route to bolster her sense of safety.

You also want to spend more time with your cat one-on-one. Try activities like clicker training, walks outside on a harness, and interactive toys. Put a treat in your hand and get her to chase you around the house. Train her to ring a bell for a treat. The more exercise (both mental and physical) your cat gets, the more confident she'll feel about handling the little stressful moments life can throw her way.

As unpleasant as it may sound, hissing is just another way your cat communicates. Listen to what she's telling you, figure out the triggers, and find ways to help your cat feel more confident. Over time, you can turn her hissing into purring.

1. Kurtz, Tes. "Why Is My Cat Hissing at Me?" Rover.com, https://www.rover.com/blog/why-is-my-cat-hissing-at-me/.

2. Animal Planet. "Why Do Cats Hiss?" AnimalPlanet.com, http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/why-do-cats-hiss/.

3. Germantown Veterinary Clinic. "Why Do Cats Hiss?" Germantownvet.com, 26 September 2017, https://www.germantownvet.com/blog/why-cats-hiss.