It’s no secret that a multi-cat household can get chaotic! Happy, healthy kittens and even adult cats who are young at heart often engage in rough play. If your mischievous feline friends are stalking, chasing, biting, or pouncing on each other, there’s no need to worry – they’re just having good ol’ kitty fun!
However, playtime between cats can sometimes get a little too rough. If you notice hissing during your kitties’ play session, you may wonder whether it’s a cause for concern. Well, the answer is simple: hissing is usually not a normal part of rough play between cats and may be a sign that things are about to escalate into a heated fight.
There are times when it’s difficult to distinguish between simple play and actual fights that require your intervention. Stay tuned as we explore the differences between playing and fighting in detail, discuss why cats hiss in the first place, and help you figure out some of your kitty’s puzzling behaviors.
Why Do Cats Hiss?
Often compared to the sound of a snake’s hiss, hissing is a common behavior that cats exhibit when they feel stressed, anxious, uncomfortable, or—most commonly—threatened.
Cats usually hiss to warn a person or another animal to back off. It sometimes precedes a bite or an attack, but spayed, domesticated cats often don’t act on their hissing.
Cats like to avoid conflict, so they may hiss to communicate that they need some space. It’s also a sign that you need to intervene in a budding fight or make necessary changes to their environment.
Common scenarios where cats might hiss include:
- Being introduced to a new person or animal
- Fights other cats or animals
- Feeling pain or sensitivity in certain parts of their bodies
- Visits to the vet
- Drastic change in a cat’s environment, such as a new home
- Aggression between unneutered male cats
- Being protective over a litter of kittens
- Feelings of discomfort or annoyance
How Can I Tell If My Cats Are Playing or Fighting?
Even the most experienced of cat parents can sometimes be confused over whether their cats are playing or brawling, especially when their cats tend to play rough. In most cases, the easiest way to tell the difference is by paying close attention to their body language.
Playing cats typically have a level playing field; they take turns roughhousing each other and being at the top or the bottom of the fighting or wrestling position. They also chase and bite each other in a more or less gentle, playful manner.
Cats also often stalk and pounce on each other, a habit that expresses and satisfies their hunting instincts. Again, this is usually reciprocated. When your cats are playing, you may notice that their ears are pointed forward and their bodies are relaxed. They’re also quiet when they play: the only sounds you may hear are of their bodies crashing onto your furniture when they play rough.
So when your cats start making noise while they play, it may be a sign that they’re about to brawl. Hissing, growling, and vocalizing express discomfort or annoyance; a cat will make these sounds when her playmate is playing too rough or being too aggressive with her.
When cats fight, their bodies also take a defensive stance. They’ll pin back their ears, puff up their fur, and bare their teeth. Their tails may also swat rapidly and repeatedly. Also, you’ll notice that their claws—quite literally—come out and they may aim them at their playmate-turned-opponent.
How Do I Break Up a Fight Between My Cats?
When your cats’ entertaining playtime turns into a vicious scuffle, it’s best to break it up as soon as possible to prevent them from getting hurt. Now you can physically separate them right away, but an agitated cat may take its anger and aggression out on you.
The best way to break up a fight between your cats is by distracting them first. Making a loud noise is particularly effective in doing this: you can clap, shake their food container, or bang two pots against each other to grab their attention. You can also toss them their favorite toys or give them treats to distract them.
Some owners also use a hose or spray bottle to instantly separate their cats, although experts and cat parents find this unnecessarily harsh. You should only resort to this method when nothing else works to distract your kitties.
Once you have their attention, you can separate your cats and have them calm down. It’s also important to check whether they’ve been scratched or bruised during the fight.
Never let your cats fight it out; they may severely injure each other in the process and become hostile toward each other.
Can Cats Hiss When They Are Happy?
No, cats don’t hiss when they’re happy. They only hiss to defend themselves and warn people or other animals that they may attack if they continue to be provoked.
Why Is My Cat Starting to Hiss at Me?
There are many reasons why your sweet, affectionate kitty may be hissing at you all of a sudden. It’s not just her being a diva; she may be feeling some form of stress or anxiety.
Usually, a cat will hiss at her owner when she wants space. Many cat parents can’t resist petting and cuddling with their adorable kitty, but cats tend to be particular about how and when they like to be touched. If your cat is hissing at you during a petting session, it may be best to back off and pet her again when she rubs up against you or asks for your attention.
Another reason why your cat may be hissing at you is because she’s stressed. If you’ve recently moved into a new home, adopted a new pet, or made any drastic changes to her environment, your cat may be unable to cope with the stress she’s feeling and take it out on you as a result.
Aside from hissing, other signs that your cat may be stressed include:
- Urinating or defecating outside the litter box
- Overeating or refusing to eat
- Excessive grooming
- Excessive hiding
- Heightened aggression and vigilance
- Lethargy
There are many ways to alleviate and provide relief for your cat’s stress, but the most effective method is to get to the root of the problem. For instance, she may need to be separated from your new pet until she feels comfortable enough to be introduced slowly.
Finally, your cat may be hissing at you when you pet her in painful areas. If you notice her hissing or yelping when you pet a certain part of her body, this may indicate a health issue that requires a trip to the vet.
In Closing
Cats normally don’t hiss when they play; however, when their playtime escalates into a full-on brawl, they may hiss and growl at their playmates. If you notice hissing accompanied by vocalizations and changes in their body language during play, break up the fight immediately to prevent them from hurting or injuring each other. Otherwise, you can let your kitties chase and pounce on each other to their hearts’ content—as long as they play fairly and peacefully!