Most cats are naturally friendly.
They will only hiss at a person if something is wrong or they want to be left alone.
Let's look at the possible reasons why a cat might hiss at a person.
Too much attention
Some cats will sit on a person's lap all day, demanding to be petted. Others will only tolerate a small amount of attention before running away.
The length of time a cat enjoys attention depends on its personality. However, no matter how patient a cat is, once it gets bored, it will likely hiss or paw at the person to be left alone.
Many people are surprised when a cat decides that it no longer wants to be touched, especially when it has enjoyed being petted for some time.
Most cats do not immediately attack a person and give warning signs that you should pay attention to:
- hiss;
- bite fingers;
- waving their tail from side to side;
- tense muscles.
Pain
If you accidentally touch a sore spot on a cat's back or paw, it will instinctively attack you. If your aging cat suffers from arthritis, your owner may have accidentally put too much pressure on its sore joints when picking it up.
Pain is the number one reason why an otherwise friendly cat may suddenly attack a person. It doesn't mean that the cat hates the owner, it just gets irritated by the pain. The cat may be growling because of a stomach ache that it is trying to relieve by sleeping, or because of an injury it sustained while walking outdoors.
Some pain may even be caused by a serious medical condition that will require veterinary attention to diagnose and treat.
Protects kittens
Mothers of all species are fiercely protective of their young. Although domestic cats depend on humans for many of their needs, they behave in the same way. While some mother cats will happily share the care of their kittens with humans, others are less friendly.
A mother cat who hisses at a person who approaches her bed is not showing her hatred. It also does not mean that the person will never be able to greet the kittens; it is simply her instinct to protect the babies.
Always leave the mother cat to care for the kittens on her own for a few weeks before attempting to introduce them.
Strong fright
Sometimes a cat will hiss as a reflexive reaction if it is suddenly startled. Although it is almost impossible to sneak up on cats, there are times when they are distracted and you can catch them off guard.
If the cat is distracted by something when a person approaches it, is not used to being near you, has poor vision or hearing, or is generally nervous, then it will most likely flinch when you touch it.
Make sure the cat knows the owner is nearby before petting it.
Stress
Although cats appear aloof and uncaring, they are incredibly sensitive animals. A change in their daily routine can upset them and increase the likelihood that they will hiss or suddenly lash out at you.
Visitors, a child, or even another pet can set your cat off for days. Something as simple as a trip to the vet or rearranging furniture can also cause anxiety.
In this case, her hissing is more instinctive. It's a response developed by wild ancestors to protect themselves in new situations, and it hasn't disappeared. Try to keep your cat's daily routine as consistent as possible.
If for some reason you do have to change it, reassure your cat and give her space if she needs it.
Problem with territory
A cat may also become fiercely territorial when confronted with people or pets that it perceives as intruders. A new pet or guest may be viewed as an invader in the cat's space.
Typically when a cat is grumbling about its territory, it may often hiss at a person, redirecting its anger.
Alertness
If the cat has just arrived in the house, it may hiss at the person whenever it is approached. This does not mean that it will never trust the owner, but at the moment it is wary of him.
Give your cat time to get used to people and the house, gently encourage her to spend time with them. The best solution is to give her space and wait for her to come.
Smells can also play a role in whether a cat recognizes a person. It will be able to smell an unfamiliar animal on its skin or clothing.
The smell of an unfamiliar animal or even perfume, mixed with the natural scent, can make the cat wary of the owner.
