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. It's a good idea to visit your veterinarian if your cat's personality suddenly changes.
In the short term, the safest thing to do is back away from a hissing cat to avoid getting scratched or bitten. Here are some steps to follow: Give them space and let them hide so they feel secure.
Most often cats will start hissing at you because they are annoyed and are trying to tell you to back off. However, a hissing cat could also be telling you that they are in pain and need your help. So if you're petting them or lifting them when the hissing sound starts, check to see if they have any signs of injury.
If your cat is engaging in an undesirable behavior to get your attention, the best thing to do is ignore him. This teaches him that his behavior has the opposite effect of his intentions. Yes, this can be difficult to achieve, especially if your cat tries to get your attention by standing on your head.
In both of these cases, ignoring your cat's behavior will still leave them with that unmet need. They will continue to display whatever behavior they hope will get them what they need. A cat who hasn't had enough social interaction will continue to annoy you; a cat that is fearful will continue to hiss or swat.
Cats hiss to warn someone or something to back away. It's a defensive sound, alongside growling, yowling, and spitting. But unlike other feline vocalizations, hissing is involuntary—a natural reaction when they're frightened, surprised, or experiencing sudden pain or discomfort.
But sometimes you should just ignore a hissing cat — in the sense that you could let them calm down and then try to reinitiate contact. That will look like a slow and cautious approach, perhaps with a favorite treat or catnip. Keep your body relaxed, your eyes downcast, and your demeanor non-threatening.
Cats may hiss when they feel out of their comfort zone in their environment. For example, if you move the furniture around, introduce a new object into the home or make a loud noise, for example. They may also hiss when feeling threatened, perhaps if their territory is being invaded by another pet – or you.
Most of the time hissing is a sign that a cat is feeling anxious, frightened, or agitated. However, there are some other reasons why a cat will hiss as well. For example, a mother cat may hiss if she feels that her kittens are threatened. Similarly, cats will also hiss if they are in pain.
Sometimes cats bite or attack to express fear or say that they want you to stop petting them (especially if subtle signs were ignored). Biting or attacking can also be because of improper socialization, leading to inappropriate ways of playing, Dr. McCullough explains.
Growling and hissing are your cat's way of communicating that they want to be left alone. You might hear them hiss as you approach them, especially if you approach them too quickly.
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.
Hissing and Vocalization
The sounds your cats make during play can tell you much about whether it's turning too rough. Hissing, growling, and screaming are the definitive clues that your cat is saying, “back off” to their brother or sister cat companion. Most cats don't vocalize when they are playing and having fun.
Try slowly moving a fishing rod toy across the floor a meter or two away from them to see if they stalk it, or slowly bat a ping pong ball towards them to see if they chase it. Catching toys releases happy hormones in cats' brains and so playtime is a great way to bond with them and may lead to head bumps eventually!
You can start off by holding the cat for short periods of time and working your way up to longer 'hugs' and putting the cat on your lap. If he/she allows this, and seems comfortable with you and the room, you may want to then try to show the cat other parts of the house or other animals.
When cats display aggression when brushed or groomed, it can stem from many different motivations. The most common include: Fear/defense: A fearful cat may exhibit dilated pupils, ears turning back, or a twitching tail. In this situation, your cat may growl, hiss or swat at the person brushing or grooming.
When a cat is excited by a stimulus but cannot respond directly, the cat may redirect his aggression toward a human or another cat. Common stimuli that trigger redirected aggression include loud noises, seeing an outdoor or stray cat through a window, or an altercation with another cat in the house.
If your cat has a lowered or puffed-up tail, it could mean they are afraid or uncomfortable. Cats might also bite you or hiss at you if they aren't your biggest fan. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
The other thing to avoid doing is rewarding the bad behavior with attention. Ignoring your cat or redirecting them to a toy is better than picking them up, talking to them, or petting them when they are performing and undesirable behavior.
Problem: Your cat is very vocal with his demands. Wrong solution: Talking back to your cat while petting him or giving him various things that he may want. Better solution: Ignore your cat when he's getting too demanding. If necessary, give him a timeout in a quiet room for 20 minutes (and no attention!).