When your cat starts to hiss, it's time to back off.
When people hear a cat hissing they usually try to stay clear of it. Hissing often comes just before a fight with another cat or scratching and biting a human. Cats sometimes hiss at people as they walk past. One of my cats Cassie is most unusual in that she will be purring and rubbing at your legs then will suddenly hiss then purr again. She is the only cat I have ever met who can hiss and purr at the same time!
If your cat starts hissing at you for no apparent reason, try distracting her by calling her name. If this doesn’t work, very carefully put your hand out in a non-threatening manner while talking softly to her. Try to find out why she is hissing. Is she in pain? Hungry? Hurt? Anxious? Frightened? Some cats that have been teased in the past are always unsure if they are safe. They may just be ‘lashing out’ to get in first. If this is the case you need to spend time making your cat feel safe and wanted. Learn your cat’s body language so you are aware of what your cat is telling you.
Cassie is like this. After she was spayed she became very fearful of everyone. She had previously been a normal kitten we had had from birth so this behavior was quite unusual. Even her mother Tikki reacted badly to her when she came home.
It took me many months of just talking to her each time I saw her, then starting to stroke her as I walked past. Overall, I suppose it took about a year before she trusted me enough to jump onto my lap. At first she would only stay for a minute or so but with gentle stroking and a soft voice, she slowly gained confidence and now sits on my chair waiting for me to sit down and would sit on my lap most of the day if she could. In fact, she complains if I have meetings or work too long on the computer. I still can’t pick her up but she no longer hisses at me when I try.
If your cat hisses at regular visitors, try asking them to get down to the cat’s level and stroke it before coming into the house. If you are there while this is happening, your cat will start to get used to new people. By experimenting, you can work out if it is the people or the door bell that frightens her. If it is the bell, try muting it a little if possible or perhaps spend some time ringing it yourself and letting your cat see it’s nothing to be frightened of.
Remember, cats hiss because they are either frightened or because they are trying to scare someone away. By spending the time trying to understand your cat and to help it, you will find a wonderful friend in your pet.
To find out what to do if your cat continually hisses at you or your visitors, Cat Secrets Revealed. could be just the book you need. I wish I’d had it when Cassie first became frightened and timid as there is a section in there about gaining a timid cat’s trust. It would have certainly speeded up the process of having her trust me.
Tags: cat attack, cat biting, cat hiss, cat hissing, cat scratching, reasons cats hiss and bite
My boyfriend and I both have a cat, mine is Lilly and his is Kitty Popcorn. When we first started dating he actually had another cat who we later took to the shelter because she was having behavioral/territory issues, but I digress, Kitty Popcorn has never been particularly friendly toward me (except when she’s in heat). After dating for a while, we decided that we should probably introduce Lilly to Kitty Popcorn, as I was spending most nights at his place and I didn’t want to leave her home alone all the time. This has not been going well. We started by bringing Lilly over to his house and we kept them both in the bedroom with us so they could get used to each other, but all they did was hide under opposite ends of the bed. Kitty Popcorn would hiss and growl at Lilly any time she came near, as she does with me. To be fair, Lilly is more playful and would chase Kitty Popcorn anytime she had the chance. At any rate, it has now been a little over two months since we stuck them together.
Two weeks ago, we moved both cats over to my house, because it’s bigger, and we’ve allowed the cats free reign of the house. Because this is Lilly’s territory, she stays out and about, but Kitty Popcorn just hides, and only comes out to eat and use the litter box when she thinks Lilly is sleeping. If Lilly or I come anywhere near her, she hisses and growls. I’ve tried getting down on her level and feeding her treats and showing her affection so she knows that I’m not the bad guy, but it doesn’t seem to be working. My boyfriend left town a week ago and will not be back for another two weeks. I don’t know how much more of this behavior I can take from Kitty Popcorn. Is there something I’m doing wrong, or something I should be doing?
Hi Lizz,
I think Kitty Popcorn is very confused. I’m not sure how long you and your boyfriend have been together or how old either cat is.
First, you started spending a lot of time at your boyfriend’s house which was OK for Kitty Popcorn, you probably made a fuss of her as you’re a cat person. Next you brought a strange cat into her territory and she doesn’t understand who this cat is or why it’s there. Did you ‘introduce’ the cats gently so they could get used to each other? There is an article on the website about introducing cats. Have a read of it as it will give you some good tips. Now you have shifted her to a strange place that belongs to the other cat (Lilly) and she (Kitty Popcorn) has to fit in. The house is strange, as are the smells. Does she have her own toys and bed? So much has changed in her world including ‘her person’ going away and leaving her. She’s confused and unhappy.
You are doing a great job with getting down to her level to make friends. Play with her while you’re down there, give her a special toy – even a scrunched up piece of paper. Don’t forget, Lilly is the Alpha cat in your home while KP was Alpha in your boyfriend’s home. This is why she hides and only comes out when Lilly is sleeping or not watching.
Keep doing what you are doing – playing with her and showing her lots of affection. Look at the article on introducing cats and if you have a friend who could help you, do the ‘introduction’, even at this late stage. It is going to take time and patience on your part for KP to settle in properly. When your boyfriend comes back she will be much happier.
Please let me know if there is anything more I can do to help.
Kathy
I tried going through the introduction process and kept Kitty Popcorn in the bathroom (she is long haired, and it’s the coolest room in the house). Lilly never really ventured near the bathroom to try to sniff her through the door or anything. Kitty Popcorn went into heat shortly after this, so I let her out of the bathroom and she hasn’t really been hiding at all. They pretty well avoid each other, but once in a while Lilly will get close to KP and then end up hissing at her. I tell her no in a firm voice, but it’s not helping. Just now, when I went to get ready for bed, I discovered that someone urinated on the bed. I’m pretty positive it’s Lilly, as KP will not come into my bedroom. I have now put Lilly in the bathroom where KP was to prevent her from urinating on anything else. How can I stop her bad behavior?
Hi Lizz,
I think you will be in for a prolonged period of retraining both cats. Is your boyfriend back yet? I suggest getting KP spayed as her body aroma when she’s on heat will upset Lilly.
If you are home during the day, keep a close eye on what each cat is doing. If you are out at work, keep your bedroom door closed to prevent an urine messes. Each time one of the cats urinates or defecates in a place other than the litter tray, remove the mess as soon as possible and spray the area with some lemon scent (available at Woolworths or pet shops). This will stop the cats wanting to urinate in that place again. You’ll need to make sure your bed covering is liberally sprayed as well after it has been washed. I’m not a fan of chemicals in the home but in this case use something like Napisan when washing your bed linen. This will totally remove the urine smell. Remember, cats will urinate again in places where they can smell it from previous uses. If you notice either cat about to eliminate in an unwanted place, clap your hands loudly to distract them then if possible, physically take to them to litter tray. Don’t yell at them or smack them, this will only teach them to be frightened of you. If you have a tin of pebbles you can rattle or a spray bottle with water handy, use them to distract the cats.
If you see the cats interacting, praise them and give them treats and/or stroke them. Bribery always works! Even if they are only tolerating each other in the same room, it deserves a reward. Keep doing this for as long as is needed. Your boyfriend should do the same things so the cats don’t get confused. Patience will win out in the end, and then you should have years of joy from them.
I’d love to hear how things go with these two. Please keep in touch.
Kathy
i recently took in a stray cat, she is about 6 months of age. Im trying to cuddle her so she gets used to me and isnt so scared. she always hisses and fights with me. im not sure what to do with her or if its worth keeping her. i dont seem to be making any progress with her like i have my other female.
Hi Karlee,
Your stray will need a lot of time and love before she’ll learn to trust you. She’s had to fight for everything for probably most of her life. If she lets you hold her, do so gently and stroke her and talk to her softly. She obviously won’t understand the words but she will hear the gentleness in your voice. She’s probably been used to being yelled at and having things thrown at her. Try feeding her some special tidbits away from your other cat. Don’t forget she’s had to fight for her food and will be worried that your other cat will take it again.
Be very patient with her if you do decide to keep her. If you decide you can’t keep her, please take her to a shelter where she’ll be dealt with humanely.
Kathy
I have a Maine Coon cat. She is 3 1/2 years old. I first realized she had a problem at her first vet visit when she was only 3 months old. She started hissing, scratching, biting and attacking anyone who came near her. I thought this was only going to be a problem at the vet. It wasn’t. Ever since then she has become worse and worse. She has bitten me many times and attacks me. She also hisses and attacks anyone or any other animal that has been near her. I need to keep her in a bedroom when ever there is anyone at our house. She is just a mean, scary cat. It has been 3 1/2 years and I am tired. I have tried everything. Nothing helps. I have tried behavior modification, seperating her from me and others, giving in to her and letting her do what ever she wants. Nothing works. Two days ago she bit my husband. I am so tired, I do not know what to do. I thought maybe she needs medication, but then again that will not change her personality. This problem is in her brain. I am afraid she will really hurt some one. I have tried my hardest to help her change. I don’t know what to do. I feel like I have been in an abusive relationship! I am stuck. I have done nothing but try to love this animal. She has never been abused or neglected. She came from a loving home. Please help:(
Hi Margo,
I really feel for you as you’ve struggled with this for so long and obviously love your cat. I wonder if something happened to her before she came to you and the smells at the vet triggered some memory. Unfortunately she can sense your fear and this gives her power in that she knows she can control you and is the one in charge. I would strongly suggest talking to your vet and putting her on some form of medication to calm her. The way she is is now, nothing can be done with her bcause of her anger at you and everyone and everything else. And as Maine Coons are such big animals, you don’t really want to get in the way of an angry one.
Some medications will work on altering the brain chemistry – anti-depressants do this to us when we’re depressed, they alter the serotonin levels to make them more balanced. Perhaps some form of pet valium could be given and once she is calmer, lots of love and attention and positive behavior modification could help. At the moment it’s almost impossible for you to try to stroke her or talk to her gently as you are frightned of her. Your fear is also fueling her fear and she is missing out on any love or positive attention. She gets shut away because of her bad behavior which in turn produces more bad behavior.
Cats want and need love and attention. I’m training my own 12 month old cat to not use her claws to get my attention. She never miaows at me, she just sticks her claws into my knee under the desk. I’m not even aware she’s there until I feel the claws. Each time she uses her claws she gets told off in a strong voice and shut out of the office. Each time she uses only her paws she gets my attention and I’ll go play with her for a couple of minutes or see if she’s telling me her biscuit tin is empty. This is what you need to be able to do with your cat but you can’t do it until she’s calmer.
Talk to your vet and your family. You can’t go on the way things are as it might be a child that gets bitten one day. I think you’ve gone over and beyond what most people would put up with for doing this for 3 and a half years. If your vet can’t suggest anything, try a different vet. Try to get her calmer so you can start the loving process. If this doesn’t happen, you’ll unfortunately have to make some very tough decisions.
Please keep in touch with me Margo, I’d truly like to know how things go.
Kathy
Hello.My cat Timmy could be sitting anywhere, doing anything, minding his own business.But then my other cat Pip comes out of no where and starts hissing at him.Timmy has recently been acting as her dominate brother, tackling her, fighting with her, stealing her meal.Really, Pip comes out of nowhere.Here’s an example:Timmy was sitting on the couch.Pip comes up out of nowhere and starts hissing at Timmy for no reason…Is Pip trying to prove dominate?
Hi Jackson,
It does sound like Pip is trying to become the alpha cat. You don’t say how old your cats are so I wonder if it is playful behavior. If you can give more information I should be able to answer more fully.
Kathy
Hi,
please help. This is my first cat, I thought I was doing the right thing adopting a shelter kitten but it is just so hard having a social life with a cat who is like this.
About 5 months ago I adopted a kitten from the shelter. He was only a few weeks old, very malnourished, had a severe URI and ringworm. So I can’t even begin to imagine the trauma he has been through. My partner and I nursed him back to health and he is now about 6 months of age.
For the first month or so at the vet he was fine, I don’t know if it was just because he was so sick that he couldn’t defend himself – but after a while he begin to hiss and growl at the vets. I thought this was pretty normal because animals hate vets and he had been through a lot.
Over the past 2-3 months the behaviour has rapidly escalated. He is fine towards my partner and I and used to also be really good towards my roommates. Now they can’t touch him because he hisses and arches his back.
When visitors are over he has to be locked away because his behaviour is unpredictable. With one person he might be okay and just avoid them, with another he will rub up against them and then get too close (maybe scare himself) and hiss or even jump up on their lap and hiss in their face.
Today he travelled with me down to my mums house for christmas. I know he must be scared to be in a new place but my mum isn’t even looking at him half the time and he is just standing there hissing at her. I find it weird that he puts himself in that position really close to someone, and then hisses. We have visitors coming Christmas day and I have no choice but to just lock him in the room all day or him/a family member will end up hurt.
I’m worried because he is so young.. and what if this behaviour eventually transfers over to me. It seems to be escalating every week…
Hi Stevie,
Congratulations on adopting a kitten from a shelter and giving him a good home. You are right, he was probably abused as a kitten and those memories are making him the way he is now. The unpredictability of his responses to people could be based on smell, footwear, clothes or some other trigger that upsets him. The same with the vet – the smells there remind him of things that happened plus the smells of the other animals are triggers. All of us have these triggers. Sometimes I can see some trees and it reminds me of an unhappy holiday when I was sick. The sound of a bird can take me mentally back to a small country town I taught in 30 years ago. The same thing is happening to your poor kitten. He is in need of some gentle, calming love and attention. He needs to learn to trust you completely and know that you won’t hurt him or take away his food. He needs the same level of compassion and love you would give a frightened child, because that is what he is. At 5 months he is about the same as a 9-10 year old child. Learning about his environment yet still needing the security of his family.
Taking him with you at Christmas was a good thing to do. The travel was probably very unsettling for him and the strange place, furniture, people and smells are upsetting him. However he knows you and your partner are there and that reassures him.
Explain to your roommates that he was an abused kitten and needs extra love and understanding. Be patient with him and continue to love him and play with him as much as you can. It will take time but believe me, it will be worth it.
Good luck and if I can help further, please let me know.
Kathy
I have a turkish van cat who is 1 year old. I know that this breed likes its space and does not like being picked up, but she was usually fine with me picking her up and she used to come and rub against my leg. Recently she has started opening her mouth just to show her teeth when i try to pick her up and she spreads her arms out and trys to grab my hand and put it in her mouth. Usually she always ends up hissing but this just recently started happening she has never hissed before until about 2 weeks ago. She is fixed so she can’t pregnant if thats why she’s hissing. Sometimes I let her outside and recently she has met another cat around the area and I don’t know whose cat it is but I am not really letting her outside anymore so I don’t know if it has to do with the other cat?
Hi Sarah,
It could be that she has something wrong with her mouth. Perhaps a scratch on the gum, a gum or tongue ulcer or even a toothache. Cats can also have a build up of plaque on their teeth. Have there been any changes in the house? Painting rooms, moving furniture around, new people coming or leaving etc? This could cause stress for her.
It could be to do with the other cat, she wants to be let out to play. As a one year old, she is still in the teenage years and teenagers, no matter the species, can be temperamental. If she is eating and drinking normally I wouldn’t worry too much. It is probably a stage she is going through. My one year old spends much of the morning running away from me as if she is terrified. She spends the rest of the day within sight of me, usually curled up near my feet. At the moment she is sitting behind me on my chair – I call her my moving cushion, and this is something that happens regularly. However if your cat stops eating, I’d contact the vet to have her mouth checked out.
Enjoy her at this age, they are still so playful and inquisitive.
Kathy
I recently bought my cat a fishing pole toy for Christmas. He seemed to enjoy it at first, but then he started hissing at it. Is this okay or should I get rid of the toy and buy a new one? I would really appreciate it if you let me know what you think. Thanks!
Hi Amanda,
Don’t get rid of the toy, just put it away for a few days and give him some scrunched up paper or some wool tied to a door handle to play with for a change. You can bring the fishing pole toy back later and it will probably be like a new one for him.
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Just another quick question. Do you know if it’s normal for kittens to pant after they exercise? My kitten has about an hour a day where he runs crazy climbing furniture, swishing his tail, chasing everything and he often comes up to me and wants me to either throw a toy or play with him, and he starts to pant just like a dog – mouth open tongue out. He never does it for no reason. It is either when he is playing heavily or is very excited. Not sure if it’s normal as I’ve never heard of cats panting.
Thanks!
Hi Stevie,
Panting is normal. It is how cats cool themselves down, just like with dogs. We pant because we’re out of breath and need more oxygen in our lungs, but cats (and most animals) are different. So don’t worry about it. Enjoy your kitten as they grow soooo quickly.
Kathy
HI Kathy!
Great article. Thanks. My cat is about 13, she’s in good health and she’s a control freak. she went through a faze of freaking out every time she saw her own reflection a few years ago. For the first 8 months we tried soothing her and showing her it was her own reflection, to no avail. Finally we just yelled at her every time she snapped at herself. It worked! Now she’s back to admiring herself, often.
The new phase seems to be hissing. I know she’s not in pain at all. She just doesn’t seem to know when the appropriate time to hiss is. She’s annoyed. That’s all. Only she’s always been an ornery character, so she’s annoyed a lot. The hissing, specially when company is over, is getting out of hand. Should we just start reprimanding her until she stops?
She’s been a princess her for over 12 years! She doesn’t have any trust issues, she’s just a control freak! LOL
Thanks in advance for your help!
Linda
Hi Linda
I know some people like that – hiss at nothing! And spend hours admiring themselves. Can you try shutting her away when she hisses? A bit like sending children to their room. Make sure she has water and a couple of toys, but isolate her completely. Let her know you’re in control, not her. Keep her shut up for around 5 minutes then let her out and praise her. As soon as she starts hissing again, say ‘no’ in a stern voice and shut her away again, but for a bit longer. She will probably yell at being shut away but ignore it. Go outside if necessary then when she’s calmed down, let her out again and praise and stroke her. Keep doing this each time she hisses and she’ll get the message. You will need to be patient and consistent so make sure everyone in the family knows and follows through.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Kathy
Hi Kathy! I have a beautiful cat that i’m in love with. as if she was my own child. I was there when she was born. I have loved her, cared for her, and do everything with her. I never hit her, but we do play together often.
Recently she started hissing at me. Others may be petting her, but when i try to get near, there she goes, hissing. She was born April of last year, and 9 months old today. Is it possible she is in heat and this is why she’s hissing? I have never owned a cat before her. So, I don’t know what to expect, what is normal, what happens in situations like this. I’m starting to get scared from her.
What can i do if she hisses again, or it continues… and again, if she is in heat, does that two go together?
Hi Mary,
It is very possible that she is in heat. Unless you want to breed from her, have her spayed as soon as possible. I know from recent experience that a kitten on heat is not a pleasant experience. My own cat Asha (now around 15 months) was unbearable when she was on heat. She meowed constantly and very loudly, and tried to get out at every opportunity. She even stood stretched up at the high toilet window where there was a piece of fly-wire, hoping she might get out there. Also, at 9 months she is a ‘teenager’ and most teens don’t want anything to do with parents. Cats do this too.
Don’t be afraid of her. She is looking for you to protect her and love her. When she hisses, either tell her ‘no’ in a firm voice or just ignore her. Unfortunately when they are in heat, and this can almost be ongoing with young females, they don’t take notice of anything.
I totally understand how you think of her as your own child. Both my children have left home and Asha is like my baby. I used to have her in a sling around my neck so she could be close to me and I still had both hands free to work. She follows me from room to room and lies there watching what I do. At the moment she is sitting under my desk on my feet, bathing herself. The love you give your kitten now will repay you many times over for the rest of her life. Do make an appointment to have her spayed as soon as you can, and be prepared to be treated like the worst person ever when she comes back from the vet. Asha looked at me as if to say ‘you let this happen to me’ and ignored me for a week. But now she is much more content and I can let her outside without worrying about kittens.
Kathy
I have a 2 year old cat & 8 month old cat. When we first got the kitten my older cat hissed all the time at me & my boyfriend who lived with me. After a week or 2 they where both fine. When we moved my older cat got stressed & was on tablets for it. Shes all ok now. Guess it may be the move, kitten getting older as hes male & the fact we kicked her out of our bedroom on a night. She has always slept on my bed before hand. We now have her in our room. Everything has been ok untill today. We got our kitten snipped & since hes been back. Shes hissing again. Not so bad but still hissing & staying away from kitten. She is also hissing at my boyfriend which is really getting him annoyed. What is wrong and what can we do. Dont want her getting stressed, dont want him getting annoyed and dont want kitty get hurt since hes just had the snip
Hi Gez.
Your female is probably objecting to the strange smells on the kitten from the vet. They can pick up smells that you and I can’t and there are all sorts of strange smells at the vet. She can probably smell the other animals, the anesthetic, the rubber gloves, ointments etc. The same thing happened when I had two cats and the younger one was spayed. The older one (mother of the young one) hissed and refused to have anything to do with her daughter for a while.
She is always been allowed to sleep on your bed and is no doubt objecting to the fact that she’s been kicked out. She can’t understand why this has happened. Give her some extra love and attention for a while so she knows it’s not something she’s done. Make sure your kitten isn’t doing too much during this first week after the snip. He will probably be upset with you for ‘allowing this to happen to him’. I know my new kitten Asha was the same when she was spayed last September.
Congratulations on being a responsible pet owner and having him neutered. I’m sure the hissing will go away soon but if not, please don’t hesitate to contact me again.
Kathy