The Hiss

17 Comments

Photo of author

By Alana Stevenson


I wanted to write about something that is not frequently addressed. Hissing in cats is a commonly misinterpreted behavior. 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 who feels victimized, antagonized or threatened in some way. Often, it is a way to avoid a physical confrontation.

In cat-cat dynamics and inter-cat aggression, the cat who hisses regularly is almost always the victim cat or the one to be chased or antagonized. (I will get to the ‘grumpy’ hissers a bit later on). Hissing is simply an emotional expression of discomfort, fear, or stress. A hissing kitty feels threatened, insecure, and uncomfortable.

For many of the inter-cat aggression cases I consult on, the victim cat is usually considered the problem, or ‘aggressive,’ by the owner. This also occurs when the kitty is hissing at the dog or a family member. The common misconception is that the kitty who hisses is “teasing” or “taunting” the other cat, dog, or person. When clients look through this faulty lens, almost any and all behavior modification they have implemented have made the behaviors much worse.

Especially with cat-cat dynamics, the kitty being hissed at is almost always the perceived threat, the antagonist or the aggressor. Prolonged direct staring, following, stalking, taking over areas the other cat may have previously used or claimed, and chasing, are all common behaviors exhibited by aggressive cats.

Hissing is simply an expression of emotion; “I’m upset,” “I feel threatened,” “I’m uncomfortable,” or “I’m scared.” Whether your kitty is hissing at veterinary staff (and unfortunately labeled as the ‘mean’ kitty) or whether your kitty is hissing at a newcomer to the household, your kitty is feeling vulnerable, threatened, or insecure. If you try to “correct” or punish the hiss, you will only make a bad or scary situation worse, and make your kitty more upset.

Occasionally, there are kitties who hiss to express that they dislike something (when no threat is present). These kitties will often hiss but will not direct their hissing to any particular individual. A human equivalent might be swearing when you forget or drop your car keys.  These kitties are rather comical. They may hiss to express disgust or disappointment. An example would be when your kitty, wanting to enter a room, hisses after you gently try to maneuver him or her away. Or, when your kitty is outside in the yard or on the porch, when you bring your kitty in, s/he walks away and hisses in protest. (Note: Some cats also hiss when they experience pain. For instance, a kitty with arthritis may hiss after jumping down from a perch or off a chair).

Obviously, there are many things a cat may be upset by or dislike. By being aware that your kitty who hisses is feeling afraid, threatened, or uncomfortable, it may change or modify the way you interpret your cat’s behavior or inter-feline dynamics.

Copyright © Alana Stevenson 2012

 

Alana Stevenson can be contacted through her website AlanaStevenson.com. She provides consultations by phone and Skype.

About Author

17 thoughts on “The Hiss”

  1. @ Stormkite, are you suggesting that I get rid of my son and comfort the cat?…Tell me you’re not suggesting that. If you are then you can have the cat, because I will NEVER choose the cat over my child.

  2. They are likely suggesting just that. However, the suggestion is meant to be inflammatory. This is a minor example of “Trolling”. Welcome to the internet.

  3. Asiya , I would recommend treating the cat well and maybe leaving your child at the grandparents or sumthing I’ve had a cat for some time and I do think its my child sometime

  4. I’ve got a single 3 yr old FEMALE cat who has an amazingly wonderful life. Run of the house, 2 calm adults, and she seems to love her routine w/ us. The one thing I’d like to see change her hissing. she hisses fairly regularly for very minor infractions. One article I read seemed to hit it on the head, she hisses when she’d disappointed or in distain ( when I pet her one to many times, get off the couch when she’s next to me, etc… ). yeah she’s quirky, but any ideas on how to curb this a bit? I can guarantee she isn’t anxious and feels completely safe here so that just cannot be the issue. She’s just a hissy pissy kitty 🙁

  5. you put your kid in a suitcase and then throw him into the lake then go to walmart and buy your kitty a nice scratching post so he can enjoy himself

  6. Have 3 cats, Ginger – 3 year old female, Ezzy 4 year old Female, Harley 5 year old neutered male ( and a big chicken, hides when company comes)

  7. Harley, my 5 year old neutered male, who is large and a big chicken… Hides as soon as a noise occurs at the front door and won’t come out till they are gone
    Normally very loving , always near me when I’m in the house, follows me room to room and sits with me all the time and even places his paw on my hand when near me. Recently began to hiss at me for apparently no reason. The first time when I had a flea repellant spray in my hand, the second time I know I had the scent on me of that chemical cause I had just gotten done using it on another cat. Was handling that same chemical, and used a flea comb on him with that chemical on it with no reaction. The next couple of times while in process of feeding them last time giving the three their nightly treats. After a while he was back to his normal like self being cuddly and loving, picking him up, held him got the usual loud purr but no idea why he hissed at me. Doesn’t seem to be in any pain, and the last few times there was no presence of the flea chemical that seemed to have triggered at least one of the hissing events…. What are your thoughts.

  8. Does your son have an allergy and blows his nose a lot in front of the cat? Well that sounds like HISSING to your cat. He thinks your son is being aggressive..Try to have your son slowly blink his eyes at kitty. That’s the universal kitty peace sign.

  9. Well cats use hissing as a pseudo aggressive scare tactic. They think that’s how you react to a plausible threat hoping o scare the threat away. I tried it on a dog that was trying to sneak up on me from behind and it works. It really freaked the dog out. He didn’t know what to think with this human hissing at him like a cat, He finally gave up and ran away after some feigned barking.

    I’m thinking that your fleas spray uses compressed gas to propel the flea spray? Coupled with the unpleasant chemical odor, the sound coming from it probably sounds like HISSING to him. I would just get him a flea collar. The best is the drops behind the neck. Also comb out the fleas with a flea comb and dip the comb in Dawn dish washing liquid. It will drown the fleas.

Leave a Reply to Michael