Skip to main content

Why do cats hiss? 6 possible reasons behind this unsettling behavior

Cats hiss for many different reasons — here's what to do when your cat hisses

Even though hissing is totally normal feline behavior, that doesn’t mean it isn’t uncomfortable when it happens. There are many reasons your cat or any other cat may hiss at you, but not all of them are death alarms.

Cats have coping mechanisms for living with humans. In some cases, their communication may seem threatening. Still, it’s helpful to know what might be behind that behavior so that you can deal with a hissing cat properly. Learn how to modify your behavior or the circumstances and restore your peaceful household.

Related Videos
Scary striped cat hissing
Radysh/Shutterstock.com

What is a hiss?

Hissing is an innate behavior in all cats, including large wild cats such as lions and tigers. When cats force air through their tongue while it is arched upward toward the center of the mouth, they create a hissing sound. As a cat hisses, they release a puff of air. While hissing, a cat will generally arch its body, pull back its lips, and flatten its ears against its head.

A cat’s fur stands up as another reflexive response to whatever caused the cat to hiss. You might get nervous when your cat hisses — and you’re meant to. Hissing is a defense mechanism. It serves as a warning, letting you know that the cat may lash out if you don’t stop what you’re doing.

cat hissing
Vyacheslav Dumchev/Getty Images

What causes cats to hiss?

Hissing is a means of expression and communication. Here are six common reasons why cats hiss.

1. They’re giving a preemptive warning

Cats don’t want to get into fights out in the wild because an injury can often mean death. If a cat in your neighborhood or your household hisses, that can be a warning to avoid conflict.

If it’s your cat, you may be doing something threatening. Your cat might be tired or feeling a little more territorial than usual. For example, if you’ve recently rearranged the furniture, your cat may be missing its familiar spots. You could also be handling the cat a bit too roughly. The hissing may not be an aggressive move but merely a way to communicate. Allow your cat to escape and have some time to cool off.

If it’s a cat in your neighborhood, you should be fine if you move along without approaching. Cats rarely attack humans without absolute necessity.

2. They’re in pain

Animals in the wild try to prevent being taken advantage of by hiding any vulnerability. Cats won’t immediately show discomfort and pain unless something is really wrong. Hissing could be a sign that your cat is in pain.

Cats will hiss because they’re trying to minimize contact with humans (especially children) and other pets. If you notice your cat spending more time alone or sneaking off to places you can’t quite reach, those hisses could also be part of their plan — basically saying, “Stay away from me!”

3. They’re redirecting aggression

If your cat sees another animal, especially another cat, and feels a bit territorial, you may be on the receiving end of a hiss. This accidental behavior may transfer to you if the cat is totally focused on that strange cat outside and you happen to walk by.

This can happen for other reasons, too. Got two cats and one is trying to take the other’s toy? You walk by, and you get the hiss. It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with your cat’s feelings at that particular moment.

A calico cat with her ears flatten glares at a gray and white cat.

4. They’re protecting kittens (and other precious things)

If a cat has recently given birth, this could be a time of frequent hissing. The mother cat may not even let trusted humans touch her kittens until she’s sure they’ll be safe. Aggressive action may follow the hiss if the cat is unfamiliar with humans.

House cats may also feel protective of a new toy or a treat. Since house cats don’t get as much stimulation as cats in the wild, a favorite toy could be a trigger if the attachment is strong enough.

5. They’re fearful

If a cat is afraid of something, a hiss could be less about aggression or protectiveness and more about feelings of intimidation. Again, cats want to avoid conflict in most cases. Hissing could help warn away the frightening party (or new person or item) until the cat feels comfortable again.

If you’ve moved homes, your cat may feel stressed about being in an unfamiliar environment. If your cat is timid, anything new could cause hissing. One way to help alleviate this behavior is to offer small treats, gentle affection, and playtime to help distract your cat and teach it that not everything is a threat.

6. You’re just bothering them

Cats aren’t the people pleasers dogs are. If you’re trying to get your cat to do something (like sit in your lap), and your cat doesn’t want to … hiss. If this happens to you, it’s not a big deal. It may be time to leave your cat alone for a few hours or get out of the chair it’s trying to occupy.

If you have small children, you might need to supervise their time together to ensure your children treat your cat well. Small children often don’t know or understand boundaries with animals, and cats may hiss as a warning. Your cat may even preemptively hiss the moment your child walks into the room.

Cat with large eyes hissing
schankz/Shutterstock.com

What should you do when a cat hisses?

When your cat hisses, it’s important to recognize what’s prompting the behavior and then take appropriate steps to make your cat feel comfortable. If you’ve cornered your cat or surprised her with a pat, chances are she’s hissing out of fear.

If you have a new cat, she might hiss when you approach because she feels threatened. It takes time for cats to settle in and get to know you and your family, so it’s important to get everyone on board in this situation. Give your new cat a place that’s all her own, such as a room where no pets or other family members are allowed.

How you react when a cat hisses is very important. Here are the steps you should take:

  • Back up and give them space. Make sure that everyone else in your family does the same.
  • Determine the cause. Assess their behavior and try to figure out what’s causing their hissing. Once you do that, you can work to find a solution.
  • Provide a safe spot. Ensure that there are places in your home where your cat can hide for a little peace and quiet. (We all need that sometimes, right?)
cat hissing
Skitterphoto/Pexels

Final thoughts on hissing

Hissing may not be a big deal. Consider what’s happening in your cat’s life, and remove any issues or problems that might be causing discomfort. It could be a simple matter of putting a toy back.

If you can’t otherwise explain why your cat is hissing, then it’s best to bring her to the vet for a checkup. Your vet might find a source of pain, such as an infection or arthritis, that has developed without your knowledge, especially if you have a senior cat who has different health needs. Treating the pain should make your cat comfortable again, and the unusual hissing behavior should stop.

Editors' Recommendations

Bengal cats: What to know about these quirky descendants of Asian leopards
Bengal cat breed facts that may surprise you
A Bengal cat lies on a white floor and bathes their forelimb

With their striking rosette coats and low-maintenance grooming needs, Bengal cats are already one of the most desired breeds in the world. Once known as Safari cats, the breed went through a name change in the 1970s to reflect its fascinating heritage. But what is living like a Bengal cat actually like? Are they as feisty as their Asian leopard ancestors?
We'll explore the Bengal cat's personality in depth, covering everything from a brief look into their history, the most common Bengal personality traits, and any breed-specific requirements that may hinder your quest to adopt one of these lovely cats.

Bengal cat history
While some cat breeds, such as the Egyptian Mau, can trace their lineage as far back as 10,000 B.C.E., the Bengal cat is a relative newcomer on the scene. The Bengal cat was first bred deliberately in California in the 1980s, after cat breeder Jean Mill crossed a domestic shorthair (a black tomcat) with an Asian leopard cat. Asian leopard cats, a breed of dainty wildcats hailing from Southeast Asia, are also known as Felis bengalensis -- hence the aforementioned name change from Safari cat to "Bengal cat," -- a nod to this hybrid breed's wild ancestor.
However, there may be another reason for the switch that led to the newly dubbed Bengal cat. When the breed's name was changed in 1974, the man responsible was named William "Bill" Engler -- B. Engler. Some believe he drew inspiration from his own name.

Read more
Can cats suffer from mental health conditions the way dogs can?
What you need to know about your cat's mental health
A blue-eyed white cat sprawls out on top of a rug with a forlorn expression

As it turns out, man's best friend has quite a lot in common with humans. Just like us, dogs can suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year." With such staggering numbers, it's easy to understand why the self-help industry is booming. But what about cats? Are our feline family members similarly affected by mental health issues?
While dogs are typically more expressive regarding their moods, cats can be more difficult to read. A dog suffering from depression may refuse to play with his favorite toy, but what behaviors can you expect from your feline friend? Do cats suffer from depression and anxiety the way some dogs do? We'll take a deep dive into the world of cat mental health, so we can answer the question once and for all.

Can cats have mental illnesses?
In her 2014 book "Animal Madness," Dr. Laurel Braitman writes, "There is not a branch of veterinary science, ethology (the science of animal behavior), neuroscience, or wildlife ecology dedicated to investigating whether animals can be mentally ill." While we can't read our cat's mind, we can use their typical behavior to gauge sudden personality changes that might ring a few alarm bells.
Two commonly diagnosed mental issues in cats are obsessive-compulsive disorder -- often abbreviated as OCD -- and cat anxiety. In cases of OCD, you may notice your cat excessively grooming the same location on her body, which can lead to redness, swelling, skin irritation, and even hair loss. However, excessive grooming is also a symptom of anxiety, though anxiety is often accompanied by additional concerning behaviors, such as decreased appetite, incessant yowling, and even drooling.
Details are scant regarding exactly how many cats suffer from mental health issues, but the fact remains that your frisky feline can be affected by OCD, anxiety, or depression. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that cats can even have autism.

Read more
Is chocolate toxic for cats like it is for dogs?
We know chocolate is toxic to dogs, but is it safe for your cat?
Cat sitting and eating a treat

If you've ever searched for a list of foods toxic to dogs, then you already know allowing your furry best friend to ingest a chocolate bar can have tragic consequences. But is chocolate bad for cats? Although your feline fur baby is much less likely to scarf down a slab of chocolate cake while you have your back turned, chocolate poisoning does occur in cats, too, and it can have equally life-threatening consequences.

Keeping your cat safe is your top priority, which makes knowing the symptoms of chocolate ingestion vitally important. Knowing the proper steps to take in case your cat eats foods she shouldn't might just save her life. Here's what you should know.

Read more