Is there a snake in the house? Your cat’s wide-open mouth and eerie whistling may send shivers down your spine. Cat hissing is a classic sound, one your feline makes to say she’s serious about the matter at hand. Cat hissing is a warning to you, the kids and even the dog that your kitty wants everyone to back up and give her some space.
You’re not alone if you hear this noise at your house, especially if you own more than one cat. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 80 percent of household cats hiss at each other. Some cats will also hiss if they’re afraid of something, says the Humane Society of the United States. Hissing, along with spitting, swatting paws and puffing up fur in order to look larger are just a few indications your cat is feeling threatened.
But take heart — understanding why one cat hisses at another and making her stop isn’t as difficult as you may think. Here are five reasons why your cats are hissing and solutions for each:
- Adding a New Cat
Introducing a kitten to a house that already has an established “alpha cat” can be one cause for hissing. It’s natural for the original animal to feel territorial and protective of her home. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), cats will get aggressive over territory.The Fix
Keep the cats in different rooms. Feed and house them so that they can’t see each other but are able to smell and hear the other feline. After a few days, allow them to catch sight of each other, offering treats if there’s no hissing. Continue to feed and play with them separately before introducing them together for short intervals. Eventually lengthen the time they are together and monitor their behavior.
- Feeding Two Cats
Sharing a single food dish can set off sparks and result in a good bit of hissing. Most animals will defend their food areas if they believe another creature is encroaching.The Fix
Set up two different feeding stations in two parts of the house in order to avoid fights over kibble. You could also feed your cats at different times to reduce the chance they’ll meet up at mealtimes.
- Using the Litter Box
The same principle regarding food dishes also applies to the litter box. Where a cat does her business is another private area that she’ll want to patrol and keep for herself.The Fix
To lessen the hissing over the potty situation, arrange two separate litter boxes in different rooms in the house. You might also consider positioning them so that your cats don’t have to cross paths to get to their respective boxes.
- Fighting Over Sleeping Areas
Wouldn’t it be sweet if your cats snuggled up together for naps and at night? This may not be the case at the start (or ever), so expect some hissing over this issue.The Fix
Two cat beds, pillows or blankets should be set up so each feline has her own place to rest.
- Checking For Pain
If you’ve tried the above suggestions and still can’t seem to quiet the hissing, consider the possibility that something may be bothering your cat, especially if she hisses when you try to handle her.The Fix
Make a call to the vet to discuss your concerns. A quick checkup may be all it takes to figure out why your cat keeps hissing.
Owning two cats has its challenges. You want them to play together and get along, but hissing can be a common side effect of this relationship. Work to build trust between your cats and you may be rewarded with kitty detente.
Want more cat training tips? Check out these 13 Tips From a Cat Behaviorist.
Jennifer Kelly Geddes is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in parenting, health and child development. She’s a frequent contributor to Care.com and the mom of two teen girls.
