Mary Allen
Purring, meowing, chattering: the language of cats knows a wide variety of vocalizations. Hissing is also part of it – it can usually be heard when the cat is scared or feels threatened.
Even very small cats can hiss: the ability is innate to them. The sound is used as a warning signal to keep another animal or human at a distance. Depending on the situation, it is possible that a velvet paw not only hisses but also expresses its displeasure with ruffled fur, a hump, flattened ears, howling, or screaming.
Why Do Cats Hiss?
The situation itself usually provides information about the reason why a house cat is hissing. Fear is a common cause: it can be triggered by another animal, a human, or a specific situation. With his hissing, the angry cat wants to show its limits and signal: “this far and no further”.
If a fellow cat is to be driven away in a fight, an angry cat also signals this by hissing. Other possible causes of angry hissing noises are stress or pain. Even the loveliest furry friend can hiss to show that she is afraid of the vet or that her owner has hurt her by accidentally stepping on her tail.
Keeping Your Distance is the Order of the Day
When cats hiss, their fellow cats know full well what that means: it’s time to retreat unless they want to risk a claw or bite. Humans should also respect the boundary that a cat wants to signal with its hiss. He should better not touch her now, but leave her alone for a while.
Don’t scold your cat when he hisses at you. This would most likely only make the tension worse. Of course, you can comfort your excited pet if it is scared or in pain. Soft, loving words usually calm the cat quickly.