Some cat parents make the mistake of thinking theyвЂ™re comfortable sharing but that will set the stage for turf wars.вЂќ There is a social structure among cats, but itвЂ™s centered around resources and safety.

вЂњThe problem could be anything from your cats having been improperly introduced to a lack of personal space. вЂњAn occasional hiss can happen between cat friends, but if itвЂ™s happening a lot and is accompanied by other behaviors, you need to examine the relationship,вЂќ says Johnson-Bennett. In multi-cat homes, hissy fits can erupt over a favorite perch. But territorial hissing isnвЂ™t limited to outdoor cats. Male cats are more likely to hiss as a way of defending their domain - like tomcats hashing it out in an alley. Get Pet Help вЂThis is mineвЂ™ДЄlthough hissing is most often a defensive reaction, it can also be an offensive move to stake their claim. Sudden scratching? Finicky food eater? Loose poop?В Whatever pet health question is on your mind, our veterinary pros are here to help. Truly ornery cats can resort to chasing, swatting, and even biting - so if your catвЂ™s hiss is served with a side of spit, youвЂ™ve been warned! House cats are much more likely to have a noisy debate than an actual altercation. They will also hold their ground, says Johnson-Bennett, вЂњwarning the opponent/intruder that aggression may result if they donвЂ™t back off.вЂќ Most of the time, itвЂ™s all posturing and all they need is some space. An angry cat will have angry body language: pupils constricted, ears pulled back, tail puffed up and low. вЂIвЂ™m madвЂ™Д¬at hissing can also be a sign that your pet is royally pissed off, whether at a physical sensation or another animal. Just donвЂ™t try to pick up your cat when theyвЂ™re in this reactive headspace because they could inadvertently redirect their aggression towards you. вЂњFor example, if a cat is hissing at the sight of an unfamiliar cat outside the window, close the curtains and lower the lights so your cat doesnвЂ™t feel so exposed.вЂќ If the trigger is a permanent part of the household, Johnson-Bennett recommends consulting with a certified cat behaviorist. вЂњIf feeling fearful, their body language may include looking around for an escape route - make sure your cat has a safe avenue of escape or the option to hide.вЂќ If the threat is real, then the safest way to calm your cat is to lower the lights and visually block the trigger.

вЂњWhether a cat is afraid or annoyed, hissing indicates a feeling of being in danger,вЂќ explains Johnson-Bennett. Hissing can be a defense mechanism cats pull when they feel threatened in some way. We asked cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett to translate some of the most common hiss signals and what you can do about them (besides back off). Or does it?В In general, a hissing cat is an unhappy cat, just not always one thatвЂ™s up in arms. Tu said.Meows, purrs, trills, chatterвЂ¦ cats make a lot of weird noises. вЂњIf you pet a cat for 10 seconds and then they hiss at you afterwards, itвЂ™s because the petting has lasted for a little longer than they want,вЂќ Dr. But if you pet him for too long, heвЂ™s going to let you know. If the cat leans back into you, thatвЂ™s how you know to keep petting. вЂњIf youвЂ™re petting any animal, you pet them for maybe two or three seconds and then you leave your hands and let them be and see if they come up and ask for more,вЂќ she said.

In that case, how can you tell what your cat really wants? For that, Dr. TheyвЂ™re not going to be like dogs where theyвЂ™re going to be there for 30 minutes.вЂќ вЂњThey have a very low tolerance for petting. вЂњThis is where cats are a little special,вЂќ Dr. вЂњThat may not entirely be encouraging petting.вЂќД®ven if they were asking for affection, cats donвЂ™t always enjoy being petted for very long. вЂњIf they come up to you and they rub up against you, they may simply be just greeting you,вЂќ said Dr.

However, he might not have been asking to be touched at all. On the surface, this behavior might make it seem like your cat is being hot and cold. Why do cats suddenly hiss after acting like they wanted to be petted?

Hiss back at cat