Glossary

Hissing

A sharp, breathy warning sound a frightened or angry cat makes to tell another animal or person to back off.

Also called: hiss, spitting, growling, defensive warning

A hiss is a forceful rush of air through an open mouth, with the lips drawn back and the teeth showing. A spit is a sharper version. Both are a warning. The cat is saying that it feels threatened and wants distance, and it would rather avoid a fight. A hiss often comes with a growl, flattened ears, dilated pupils, an arched back and raised fur.

Hissing is normal. It is common when a new cat is introduced, when a stranger gets too close, when a kitten has just arrived in a home or when a cat is handled at the vet. Respect it. Stop what you are doing, move away slowly without staring, and let the cat retreat. Punishing a cat for hissing removes the warning and can lead to a bite.

During introductions between cats, some hissing is expected, but go slower if it is constant. Separate cats that are fighting using a blanket or a board, not your hands. If a cat starts to hiss when touched in a certain place, or at someone it normally likes, it may be in pain, and a vet should examine it.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Piloerection The upright bristling of a cat's fur, most often a sign of fear or arousal, which makes the cat look larger. Redirected aggression A sudden attack on a nearby person or pet by a cat that is highly aroused by something it cannot reach. Body language How a cat shows mood and intent through its tail, ears, eyes, whiskers, posture and fur. Tail language What the position and movement of a cat's tail reveal about its mood, from a friendly upright tail to a lashing one.

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