If your cat hisses when playing, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat hiss when playing? Likely reasons why your cat hisses when playing are injury, intimidation, possessiveness or that it does not like the way you play with it.
There are multiple possible reasons why your cat hisses while playing and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Reasons why your cat hisses while playing
Below are likely causes and what would make each of them more likely.
Injury
The cause could be that it has gotten an injury. This would be more likely if it has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of being injured such as not moving around as much. In this case, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Intimidation
The reason why your cat has been doing it might also be that it feels intimidated. This would be more likely if your cat seems to pull away from you and if it also scratches or bites. In this case, it could be the case that you are not being gentle enough or you are playing with it too boldly.
Possessiveness
It could also be the case that it is being possessive. This would be more likely to be the reason if it hisses when you try to take its toy.
It doesn’t like the way you touch it
The reason why your cat does it could be that it wants you to stop touching it. This would be more likely if it also shows signs of being agitated when it does it such as by flicking its tail, moving away from you, pushing you away, scratching or biting and if it only has a problem when you touch it while playing with it.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main cause.
If your cat has always hissed while playing
If your cat has not always hissed while playing, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as injury or a change in the way you play with it.
What is different when your cat does not hiss while playing
If your cat does not always hiss, while playing, it would help to consider what is different when it does not hiss. For example, if it does not hiss when you play with it a certain way, it might be the case that it has an issue with the way you are playing with it.
What to do about your cat hissing while playing
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Observe its body language
Often cats will give prior warning before they start biting or scratching, it would help to observe its body language and to stop playing with it when it starts hissing or flicking its tail.
Play with it differently
If you have been playing with it forcefully, it would also likely help to try playing with it more gently or to play with it in a different way such as by dangling a string instead of touching it.