Why do cats hiss?
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Why do cats hiss at humans?
Humans can inadvertently trigger this reaction in cats in a variety of ways. And although many people think that hissing animals are simply mischievous, in fact, this behavior does not mean that your pet is unfriendly or rude. What can provoke it?
Pain
Pain caused by injury or disease can cause hissing in quadrupeds. If your cat hisses when you try to pet or pick him up, he may be trying to show that he is in pain. Contact your veterinarian to determine if your cat has an injury or illness that is causing discomfort.
Discontent
If you recently brought into the house a new pet that your ponytail is not at all excited about, he may hiss at you to express his disapproval. Even if another animal is not present in the house, your furry may hiss at the smell of “competitors” from your clothes or the clothes of your guests.
Fear
Animals that have not been properly socialized are usually afraid of strangers and hiss to express their fear. Visiting new places, such as a veterinary clinic or someone else’s home, can also make your cat apprehensive and lead to this behavior. Aggression or punishment towards a pet is another factor that causes most cats to hiss as a warning to back off.
Aggression
There are different types of aggression in cats that can cause a negative reaction. For example, it may be a matter of redirected aggression. These are situations when the mustachioed-striped release accumulated emotions on the nearest target. If your cat is annoyed by another animal or frightened by a loud sound, he can “express” his displeasure exactly to you, his owner.
The discomfort
Many cats do not tolerate physical contact well and hiss to convey their discomfort to the owner. Even if the pet rubs against your legs and seems to be asking for affection, he may not like long strokes at all. In these situations, try stroking your cat for two or three seconds and removing your hand. If he comes up and asks for more, you can continue the process for a few more seconds. The main thing – do not overdo it, and constantly monitor the reaction of the fluffy.
Why do cats hiss at each other?
If we figured out the reasons for hissing at people, then the relationship between cats seems to be a more complex and interesting structure. What is going on in their feline universe and what are they trying to convey to each other with different sounds? We tell.
Threat
Most often, cats hiss at each other when they feel threatened by another animal. So they warn that they are ready to attack if the conflict continues. The fact is that cats themselves are non-aggressive animals that try to avoid a direct collision instead of immediately attacking the enemy. And hissing helps them get their point across!
Stress
Another reason why cats can hiss is their love of routine, as well as their reluctance to hear extra noise or see excessive activity around. New faces in the house, other animals, a move, or even loud noises – depending on your kitten’s personality, many things can trigger a stress response. And if the cat is stressed and feels unhappy, of course, he may begin to express his annoyance in a verbal way.
Try to pinpoint exactly what is causing your cat’s stress, as this is the first step in stopping negative reactions. The best method is to try to mitigate the stress as much as possible, and the solution to this problem depends on your cat. Introducing new pets and other animals should be slow, and if too much activity or loud noises scare your furry, try to keep them to a minimum.
Pain
As with owners, the reason why cats may hiss at their friends is a sense of vulnerability and an unwillingness to make contact. If you notice that your pet suddenly forbids other animals from touching him and reacts aggressively to any attempt at interaction, check his condition with a veterinarian.
Irritation
Sometimes our four-legged friends can be temperamental – especially in situations where they need a little personal space. For example, this often happens in families where an elderly cat lives with playful kittens or small children. If you see that your fluffy is clearly hinting that he wants a little peace, it is better to give him this opportunity and take the kids to another room.
Territorial disputes
Any change in the familiar territory can cause confusion in cats and, as a result, defensive behavior. Even seemingly simple things like rearranging furniture or a toilet often lead to stress and hiss. Changes in the usual social circle can also cause a negative reaction – especially if the other cat in the house has reached adulthood and is trying to establish its dominance. In such cases, try to make sure that your pets have enough personal space and their own corners in the house where the “enemy” cannot reach them.
So, hissing in cats is a completely normal reaction that helps them indicate their own personal boundaries and desires. However, if your pet has never hissed at you or other animals before, this may warrant a medical check. If you feel like your cat’s behavior has suddenly changed, discuss it with a specialist so that together you can identify the causes and find a solution to the problem.
