When your cat starts hissing at their toy, the best response is to simply keep your distance. It will also have the bonus of saving you from a nasty scratch! What should I do when I see my cat hissing at its toy? Stopping play like this signals to them that playtime is over when they get too aggressive and consistently doing this will teach them, over time, that rough play will result in no play. Give your cat a little space and consider simply leaving the room if they seem overly aggressive. Hissing at you might indicate that your cat has gone from ‘play’ to ‘aggression’ and they might be irritated with something that you’ve done. Sometimes this sound will arise during simple play and if you are playing with the cat, it’s best to immediately stop. Why do cats hiss?Ĭats hiss to express things such as fear, displeasure, prowess, or even just as a simple warning that they are NOT to be trifled with at this time. If you see one or more of these, give your furball a little space and time to calm down before you touch them. Signs that the aggression has gone overboard can include growling, hissing, tautness of the body, and especially, flattened ears. Touching your cat during this time is not advised, as it might well get you scratched or even bitten before your cat realizes what they are doing. For all their fluff and sweetness, cats are still little predators, and sometimes playtime can turn into ‘predator practice’ where your cat becomes wildly focused on testing out their skills. Some cats work themselves up into a frenzy with toys and when this happens, it is best to give them their space. A white and black cat lying on the floor with a toy.

Black cat hiss