Understanding Why Cats Hiss
Cats hiss to warn off perceived threats, a behavior that can be triggered by anxiety or fear. According to North Toronto Cat Rescue, even calm cats will hiss when confronted with a stressful situation. The hiss is a warning signal meant to deter opponents.
To help cats feel safe, owners can use products that emit calming pheromones or provide gentle pressure. Cat diffusers use a heating element to release a calming pheromone into the air. Calming cat chews, available in flavors such as chicken, lamb, liver and salmon, use natural ingredients to reduce stress and ease aggressive behavior. Pheromone cat-calming collars mimic the scent a mother cat produces to soothe her kittens, while a thundershirt applies gentle, constant pressure to calm fear and anxiety.
If a cat hisses, give it space by walking away; otherwise the cat may scratch or bite. If hissing occurs without an obvious threat, it may signal illness and a vet visit is advised.
Key takeaways
- Hissing is a warning signal used by cats to deter perceived threats.
- Calming products such as diffusers, chews, collars and thundershirts can reduce stress.
- Give a hissing cat space; persistent hissing may indicate illness.
- A vet should be consulted if a cat hisses without a clear trigger.
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Originally reported by North Toronto Cat Rescue. Read the full article.
Cover photo by Wijs (Wise) via Pexels.
