Why do cats hiss?

It can be startling dealing with a hissing cat, but why do cats hiss and what provokes them? Hissing is a common vocalisation that cats use to communicate different emotions and feelings. However, hissing generally means your pet is feeling fearful, aggressive, territorial or in pain. Hissing is almost always a negative reaction, so it is important to figure out the root cause to restore calm within your household and understand your cat’s needs. 

What is cat hissing?

Cat hissing is a vocalisation that cats use to communicate their anxiety, stress, discomfort or fear, it is a defensive behaviour and will sound aggressive. 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!

Why do cats hiss? For example, your cat may hiss when meeting a new pet. It is important to learn what triggers your cat to hiss so you can make sure your home is a calm place for them and rule out if hissing is due to pain. 

Most common triggers for cats hissing

Why does my cat hiss at me? It is important to remember that a cat will generally hiss at you if they feel threatened, this could be due to many different reasons, however, the most common include, new animals being introduced into the home, loud noises and sudden, unexpected movements. Cats may also hiss if they feel 'cornered' or trapped because something they are fearful of is blocking their exit from a situation. Cats use vocalisations such as purring and hissing to show when they feel content or agitated. Correctly identifying what triggered your cat to hiss at you is important as hissing can also be caused by physical discomfort, pain from an injury, illness or an underlying condition. If you are unsure why your cat is hissing, take a look at the headers below and remember to monitor their overall body language for more clues, too! 

Territorial Behaviour

Cats are very territorial creatures, which means that they are hardwired to establish a safe area free from other roaming cats or people, females are also just as territorial as males. Cats want to protect all the resources they value (food, water, sleeping area, litter box, toys and their owners!) This is also true for cats who stay indoors who might feel threatened by other cats outside your home, even if you live in a flat. Cats who feel like they need to defend their territory might start hissing at visitors to the home, other cats or animals. 

Pain or Discomfort

Cats also hiss to let you know they are in physical discomfort from an injury, illness or an underlying condition. You may notice your cat has suddenly started hissing at you when you pick them up, touch a certain part of their body or when you approach them. If you suspect your cat is hissing because they are in pain you should speak with your vet as soon as possible so they can have a full checkup. 

Fear or Aggression

Cats also hiss out of fear and aggression when they’re feeling vulnerable or threatened. This could be due to a loud noise or a strange human/animal in the home. If you were doing something to make your cat hiss, such as hoovering close to them, stop what you are doing immediately and give them some space. If you're not sure what has triggered the hiss, look for clues around the environment to guide you. 

What to do when a cat hisses at you?

My cat is hissing at me, help! We know it can be unnerving when your cat hisses at you, ensure that you keep calm and treat them with kindness and empathy, remember that they are hissing because they are afraid, too! 

• Firstly 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. 
• Never punish them, this creates distrust and could make their aggression or fear much worse in the long run. 
• 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. 
• You can also work to enrich your cat’s home and remove stressors to avoid defensive behaviour. For example, 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 there are 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.

Conclusion

Dealing with a hissing cat can be stressful, however, it is important to remember that it’s a normal behaviour that cats use to communicate their feelings. Hissing is also a powerful tool to help us understand their needs better. Make sure to observe your cat’s overall body language and what is happening in their environment so that you can identify the triggers that make your cat feel threatened. This will help you address the root cause of hissing swiftly. If you suspect your cat may be hissing due to illness or injury then make sure to contact your vet for a check-up, they can also provide advice on training your cat out of this behaviour if it is a stressor in their environment causing your cat to hiss frequently. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What Are Cats Saying When They Hiss?

Hissing is a common vocalisation that cats use to communicate fear, discomfort or agitation. Cat hissing is a defensive behaviour and will sound aggressive. 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 for their defensiveness. It’s a good idea to immediately give your cat some space if they hiss at you. 

Why Do Cats Hiss Unprovoked?

Cats hiss when they feel threatened, the most common reasons for this behaviour include, new animals being introduced into the home, loud noises, unexpected movements and hidden stressors. Correctly identifying what triggered your cat to hiss at you is important as hissing can also be caused by physical discomfort, pain from an injury, illness or an underlying condition. Senior cats may also hiss more to protect resources. If you are unsure why your cat is hissing, remember to monitor their overall body language and environment for more clues. If you suspect your cat is hissing because of pain you should speak with your vet as soon as possible.

Why Do Cats Hiss at Certain People?

Cats may feel threatened by certain people and hiss at them, which is not the most friendly greeting to receive. If your cat is hissing at specific individuals it could be because they are unfamiliar, have a strong scent or because of negative interactions they've had with them in the past. Cats can be fussy sometimes, we advise giving your cat space initially and then reintroducing them slowly, making sure to reward any positive interactions they have!