Why cat hissing at owner

How do cats hiss? Why do cats hiss? A few of the most common reasons behind cat hissing are as follows: 1. Warning shots First and foremost, cat hissing is usually a warning to another person or animal. Unfamiliarity Cats like familiar things which make them feel safe and at home.

Explore our cat brands:. Related articles. Cat Training. Common Questions About Cats. Advice and articles tailored to your pet's needs. Free access to our in-house team of vets, behaviourists and advisors. Discounts and offers from our brands. A cat might also hiss when denied a treat he wants.

Giving the cat some space and respect will go far to reduce hissing if this is the case. Home Slideshows. Written by: PetMD Editorial. Published: August 30, Previous Next. Protectiveness of Kittens Do you have a mother cat at home? Fear of the Unfamiliar One thing that can sometimes put kitties off balance is the new or unfamiliar—people, objects, or changes in environment. Stress This brings us to a related issue: stress.

Physical Pain As mentioned previously, cats will sometimes hiss when being approached or handled by humans. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. 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. Sometimes cats hiss at other adult cats to show dominance. Cats are territorial and may have specific spaces in your home marked as "theirs.

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. 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.

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.

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.