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#1
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Hissing when playing?
We have 4 cats...2 are about 2 1/2 years old...the other 2 are about 6
months old. When the little ones try playing with one of our older ones...they seem to play fine...but the older cat sometimes hisses at them. His tail is never fluffed, his ears aren't back...sometimes he's even on his back swatting at them playfully...but hissing like he's in a death match. If the little one runs away, the big one will trot after him but never attack him. So when a cat hisses, does it always mean they're mad? Or do they do it when it's just play too? I've never had a cat that hissed before. The wife and I are starting to think he's just not very bright and doesn't even know why he's hissing. |
#2
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Hissing when playing?
"The Other Mike" wrote in message news We have 4 cats...2 are about 2 1/2 years old...the other 2 are about 6 months old. When the little ones try playing with one of our older ones...they seem to play fine...but the older cat sometimes hisses at them. His tail is never fluffed, his ears aren't back...sometimes he's even on his back swatting at them playfully...but hissing like he's in a death match. If the little one runs away, the big one will trot after him but never attack him. So when a cat hisses, does it always mean they're mad? Or do they do it when it's just play too? I've never had a cat that hissed before. The wife and I are starting to think he's just not very bright and doesn't even know why he's hissing. It is called a pecking order. The older one is showing dominance. Since there is no tail fluffing, growling or attacks than it something they will work out. But maybe the older cats does not realize it is doing it. |
#3
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Hissing when playing?
IME, some cats hiss a lot more than others. One of ours will hiss
quiet often at a number of things, while another rarely (if ever) hisses. What you're describing sounds like an automatic reflex and not an angry/upset mechanism. He clearly is not upset or you would see other signs (like you mentioned, the ears back, growling, screeching, etc.) |
#4
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Hissing when playing?
Tiger will hiss at nothing. When he gets in my way I will say "look
out" and he will hiss. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44° 15' N - Elevation 1580') |
#5
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Hissing when playing?
"---MIKE---" wrote in message ... Tiger will hiss at nothing. When he gets in my way I will say "look out" and he will hiss. ---MIKE--- In the White Mountains of New Hampshire (44° 15' N - Elevation 1580') Mike I can understand that you slave he master he is letting you know who is boss;-) |
#6
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Hissing when playing?
The Other Mike wrote:
but the older cat sometimes hisses at them. His tail is never fluffed, his ears aren't back...sometimes he's even on his back swatting at them playfully...but hissing like he's in a death match. Does he ever hiss like that at a toy? I have one who does. She doesn't play much and sometimes acts as though she thinks she shouldn't. If I manage to get her excited with a toy I'm waving, she'll take a few quick bats at it and begin to hiss. Then it's as though the hissing reminds her that this is something she doesn't do, and she leaves the room. -- Wayne M. |
#7
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Hissing when playing?
In article , The Other Mike
wrote: We have 4 cats...2 are about 2 1/2 years old...the other 2 are about 6 months old. When the little ones try playing with one of our older ones...they seem to play fine...but the older cat sometimes hisses at them. His tail is never fluffed, his ears aren't back...sometimes he's even on his back swatting at them playfully...but hissing like he's in a death match. If the little one runs away, the big one will trot after him but never attack him. So when a cat hisses, does it always mean they're mad? Or do they do it when it's just play too? I've never had a cat that hissed before. The wife and I are starting to think he's just not very bright and doesn't even know why he's hissing. Usually, but not always, it's just a sign of annoyance. Hissing is a cat's way of saying "stop it". I hiss at my cats when they try to walk on my night stand which they know they're not supposed to. If I catch them, hissing gets their attention and they stop what they're doing. Furby, the younger one, gets a guilty look on his face too. It's very funny to see. chuckle |
#8
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Hissing when playing?
Sounds like they are playing very nicely! Sometimes they do get carried
away and get a little angry but it's still all in fun. Barb |
#9
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Hissing when playing?
"Barb" wrote in message ... Sounds like they are playing very nicely! Sometimes they do get carried away and get a little angry but it's still all in fun. Hissing is so different from cat to cat--the feelings it expresses, I mean. My little tabby has hissed maybe five times total in seven years, and I have to keep messing with her to get her to do it. (Meaning, we have been playing for a while in the "got yer tummy" way, and she is clearly overstimulated. When she does, she kind of squeeeeeezes one off, like she really hates doing it. There's even a little pause after her ears are back and her mouth is open and her eyes are closed. And just before this point, if I am "getting her" with my hand, she throws her head back and closes her eyes, and I can just about see the bubble over her head saying " must ...... not ...... bite ....... mommyyyyyyy ......" I stop before this point now) Our tuxedo, on he other hand, will be lying comfortably on a leg, in a lap, and all we have to do is MOVE and she hisses. If you touch her tail at all she hisses. If you touch her too long, as in cuddle or hold her or even pet her just the way she likes at a moment when she is not in the mood, she hisses. Once on the way home from the vet my husband stopped for fast food and she spotted the kid in the window and started this menacing low growl. They're all different. I wish my girls would play together, but they never have. |
#10
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Hissing when playing?
cybercat wrote:
Hissing is so different from cat to cat--the feelings it expresses I have never had a hisser. I mean, they will all hiss under certain circumstances, but I've never had one who hissed frequently. Suddenly Levi is hissing, at Rudy. I was carrying one in each arm to take them to bed last night and Levi just started hissing at Rudy (again). I think Levi is healthier than ever and his true personality is shining through. He's sooooo jealous if I give Rudy attention, the little brat. |
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