Snarling in cats: what you need to know
Although cats cannot speak, they are still able to communicate with various vocalizations and body language. Hissing is one of the common sounds in a cat's repertoire.
In the following, we explain what your four-legged friend wants to convey with hissing and why cats often hiss.
Hissing in Cats Can Have Various Reasons
Cats can hiss from birth. They use the sound as a warning signal to keep their counterpart away or drive them away.
Hissing in cats is often accompanied by flattened ears, raised hair, and an arched back. Depending on the cause, cats may not only hiss but also scream or howl.
When a cat hisses, it can have various reasons. The behavior can be observed towards humans as well as in interactions with other cats and animals. Regardless, you can assume that your pet is expressing its displeasure in the current situation.
Hissing in cats can have the following causes:
- Insecurity due to changes such as moving and new two- or four-legged roommates
- Fear of loud noises, unfamiliar smells, or an upcoming visit to the veterinarian
- Defense of their own sleeping place or cat food
- Intrusive children or fellow cats that make the pet feel cornered
- Perceived threats, such as a dog that scared the cat
Why Cats Hiss at Other Cats
Cats are typical solitary animals that, unlike dogs, do not live in packs. Even if it is often practical for working owners to keep two cats together, disputes between the animals can occur.
Especially when a new cat is introduced, it is not uncommon for it to be hissed at initially because it is an intruder in the resident cat's territory.
To avoid permanent problems and dominance struggles, it is important to introduce your cats properly and give them the opportunity to gradually get used to each other.
In normal cases, peaceful coexistence should not be a problem, and your cats should not hiss at each other, or only in exceptional situations.
Avoid a Hissing Cat
When a cat hisses at you, it means that you should not approach the animal at that moment. Especially if additional body signals such as raised hair or flattened ears accompany the hissing, you can assume that the cat is ready to defend itself.
Unless it is an obvious emergency, you should try to avoid a hissing cat and not further disturb the ill-tempered pet. It is also not advisable to scold a cat because of hissing. This may achieve the opposite and potentially make the pet even more aggressive.
Hissing in Cats with Pain
It can happen that cats regularly hiss at their owners because they are sick and in pain. If your cat hisses without an apparent reason, you should keep a close eye on the pet. If you notice other abnormalities alongside hissing, a timely visit to the vet is advisable to identify potential health problems.
Our Conclusion on Hissing in Cats
As you can see, cats may hiss for various reasons. However, the vocalization always serves as a warning signal for them to chase away or keep their counterpart at a distance.
In general, you should take hissing in a cat seriously and respect that the pet wants to be left alone. Intervene only in actual emergencies or if there are potential health problems causing the hissing. Keep in mind that you might feel the pet's claws in such situations.
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