Cats hiss at people because they feel intimidated or don't recognize the person's smells. 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.
This could be because they do not know the other people well enough yet, they associate their stance, smell, attitude, looks, etc. with something they don't like for some reason, they associate the other person with taking you away from them, they think the other people are going to “attack” them…
Why do cats hiss at each other? Cats hiss to signal to other cats they should keep away. In this case, hissing is a threatening cue in a cat's language. After all, our feline friends are well-known territorial companions.
Cats tend to hiss and growl to show you that they are unhappy, worried, angry, or feel threatened. Sometimes hissing or growing is a reaction to pain. Hissing can vary in severity from a silent facial expression to an angry “spit.” Your veterinarian will need to give your cat a thorough check to rule out a pain cause.
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.
If your cat hisses and growls, he's telling you to back off. Make sure that you and other members of your family listen. The simple act of stepping back and letting your cat be can reassure him and show him that he can establish his own space in the house.
A light tap on the nose or top of the head has been advocated for owner directed behaviors such as play biting, hissing and swatting. However, even these mild forms of punishment can lead to retaliation, fear and an increased level of aggression in some cats, and cannot therefore be universally recommended.
Growling, hissing or spitting indicates a cat who is annoyed, frightened, angry or aggressive. Leave this cat alone. A yowl or howl (they sound like loud, drawn-out meows) tells you your cat is in some kind of distress—stuck in a closet, looking for you or in pain. Find your cat if they're making this noise.
They're scared or feeling threatened. Don't always assume that growling is a sign of aggression. Felines can bear their teeth out of fear sometimes. It could be that they're unsure of a new environment, pet or person, or they're feeling trapped.
Growling and hissing are natural behaviors, and both help your cat to communicate. A hiss occurs with the mouth wide open and teeth showing. It is a forceful breath out, with a hard stop. A growl often starts with an “mmmm” sound and then becomes low and long, with the sound originating in the throat.
Again, some hissing when they see each other is normal so don't be alarmed. Some light swatting is also common. Separate them if the hissing doesn't die down after 1 or 2 minutes or if there is any sign of threat (swatting with force, chasing, screaming, ears flattened, etc.). Try again when the cats seem to be calm.
Separate the cats for as long it takes for the aggression to end. This may be a few hours or you may be unlucky like we were and it may take upwards of two weeks.
They include: Dilated pupils, direct staring. Thrashing/twitching tail. Hissing, growling or spitting.
Research suggests that catnip targets receptors in their brain to make them feel happy. After an initial bout of stimulation and excitement, the herb helps soothe your cat and calm its aggressive behavior.
When dominating a cat, don't be rude to the cat. Don't mock the cat while doing it. Just be firm and loving as a cat-mom, and you will get across the message that the cat's not rejected. Time, patience, honesty, confidence and consistency are the best ways to establish enough trust that you can dominate a cat.
They include, Approaching you (it's a little gesture, but it means they feel safe) Head butting and rubbing. Purring.
“Cats don't forgive, and once they realize a person is causing them anxiety or hurt, they keep away.” So says John Bradshaw, an anthrozoologist at Bristol University and author of “Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet.”
If they remain calm, open the door a bit more, then a bit more. If the cats remain relaxed, they may be ready to be together again. But if they react with any signs of aggressive behavior—such as growling, spitting, hissing, swatting, etc.—separate them again and follow the gradual reintroduction instructions below.
When you are petting your cat and she suddenly bites, scratches, or hisses at you, she is likely exhibiting petting-induced aggression.
Veterinarians speculate that cats often love bite when they get overstimulated. Perhaps you're playing and petting and they've had enough? Love bite. Never hard enough to break the skin, never accompanied by hissing or growling, love bites let you know to give your kitty some alone time.
Do not punish your cat for this behavior problem. Never yell at or hit your cats as this will not help and will only make your cat fear you or become even more aggressive. Instead, consult with a professional.
Hissing, growling, scratching, and biting are all ways of your cat saying “I'm uncomfortable or scared.” Ignoring this behavior will not help them feel safer or change the behavior. In fact, when aggression is ignored and the cat is still in the situation, they are likely to escalate their behavior.
Spraying cats with water from a squirt bottle is not a reinforcement; it's a punishment. Giving your cat a choice of ways to express his behavioral needs and then rewarding his use of the choice you prefer is the best way to encourage your cat's “good” behavior.