It’s used as a defensive warning to deter an oncoming opponent, says Bennett. “Hissing is one of the few sounds that contain little ambiguity: back off, buddy!” It may be tempting to believe that your cat is hissing for no reason, but it’s generally associated with negative emotions like distrust, anger, annoyance, uncertainty, pain, or a combination of these, says Demos. “And the hiss can also vary based on the intensity of the situation-from a silent, open-mouth hiss that is more a visual indication of displeasure, to a full-on ‘spit’ sound.” “Just as e veryone has a unique pitch and timbre (tone) to their voice, so do cats, which includes the sound they make when they hiss,” she says. Lauren Demos, chief veterinary officer of Pettable, a veterinary telemedicine service. ![]() Just as voices differ in people, hissing sounds differ in individual cats, says Dr. “And if you’re close enough to the cat’s face you can actually feel the force of air coming out.” The cat hiss is a powerful burst, says Pam Johnson-Bennett, certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Nashville-based Cat Behavior Associates. Hisses are different from other cat noises like the high-pitched chirp, trill, or meow, which are generated in the vocal cords, Gibbons says. “A hiss is made by cats forcing air through their mouth during exhalation,” she explains. Sasha Gibbons, an associate veterinarian at Just Cats Veterinary Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. It’s similar to a snake hiss or the sound of air being released from a car tire as it goes flat, which is precisely what’s happening, says Dr. If you’re a feline parent, chances are you’re already familiar with the cat hissing sound. U nderstanding the science behind hissing places you in a better position to decipher cat communication, and ultimately help your cat thrive. Each of these unique cat sounds offers clues into what a cat may be feeling.Ĭat hissing is one behavior that indicates fear and acts as a way to warn off others, but it’s also associated with other negative feelings like anger and distrust. They practice meowing, growling, purring, trilling, and howling to name a few. This may show that cats are purring in a very specific way to manipulate people, most likely for a can of cat food.Cats have an extensive repertoire of vocalizations-at least 12 distinct ones, experts say ( 1 ). In fact, a certain type of purr has similar frequency peaks to the cry of an infant, according to Karen McComb's study, "The cry embedded within the purr," in a 2009 issue of Current Biology. Cats have even been known to purr in an attempt to soothe themselves or someone else, including humans.īut there is a communication angle to purring as well. ![]() Later on in life, cats may purr when they're happy, anxious, or sick, as further noted by Cat Behavior Associates. ![]() ![]() The vibrations from this rumbly sound lead kittens to snuggle next to mom for warmth and food. Mother cats purr to attract kittens, which are born blind and deaf, as noted in Cat Behavior Associates. The low, rumbling sound so associated with happy cats has a variety of meanings and purposes, too. Cats purr when they're happy, anxious or sick.Īlthough it's another common cat noise, there's something mysterious about the purr.
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