Why Is My Cat Hissing At My Dog?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If the cat is growling, hissing or attempting to scratch, it means

she is currently uncomfortable

. That doesn’t necessarily mean that she won’t accept the dog; it might just take a little more time. Keep in mind that a new interaction or relationship may not succeed in the first few minutes or even the first few days.

What does it mean when my cat hisses at my dog?


Territorial behavior

is commonly displayed by both cats and dogs. The current four-legged resident of the household may feel threatened by the new presence of another creature and become defensive. To send the message that “this is my turf,” cats may growl and hiss at a new dog.

How long does it take for a cat to get used to a dog?

Allow at least

one to two days

for your cat to settle in before introducing them to your dog. This may take longer depending on how confident your cat is. During this period your cat and dog should be kept separate. Keep the cat in one room where your dog is not allowed.

Why is my cat so mean to my dog?

Aggressive behavior towards a new dog can be seen in cats of any breed, size, age, or gender.

It can stem from many different types of stressors

. The most common includes fear; but defense, territorial, redirected, play, pain, and discomfort could cause aggression towards a new dog.

How do I get my cat and dog to be friends?

Do cats get jealous of dogs?


Yes, Cats Can Get Jealous

.

You may experience the same feelings toward your own house or loved ones! Felines can easily get jealous of cats, dogs, and other animals. They can also get jealous if their owners are being more attentive to daily tasks or to a house guest.

What dog hates cats the most?

  • American Pit Bull Terrier.
  • Scottish Deerhound.
  • Greyhound.
  • Samoyed.
  • Bedlington Terrier.
  • Weimaraner.
  • Beagle.
  • Shih Tzu.

Will my kitten stop hissing at my dog?


Once she fill safe, she will stop hissing

. Don’t worry about the hissing too much though. Comfort her as best you can, but allow them to interact as long as you feel that it’s safe. They usually work it out for themselves.

What do I do if my cat is scared of my dog?

  1. Create a Kitty Safety Zone. Kitty needs to feel safe. …
  2. Set up Escape Routes. Kitty needs to feel safe. …
  3. Praise positive behavior. …
  4. Let Kitty have the whole house at night. …
  5. Give Kitty time along with you. …
  6. Give Kitty time to adjust.

Why is my kitten hissing at my dog?

If the cat is growling, hissing or attempting to scratch, it means

she is currently uncomfortable

. That doesn’t necessarily mean that she won’t accept the dog; it might just take a little more time. Keep in mind that a new interaction or relationship may not succeed in the first few minutes or even the first few days.

How do you tell if a dog is aggressive towards cats?

  • Rigid Stillness. A telltale sign of impending aggression towards a cat is if the dog were to freeze in place and become rigidly still. …
  • Staring. …
  • Visual Tracking. …
  • Tail up. …
  • Hackles raised. …
  • Barking/Whining. …
  • Low Growling. …
  • Baring Teeth/Snarling.

Why is my cat suddenly hissing?

In cat-to-cat dynamics and inter-cat aggression, the cat that hisses regularly is almost always the victim cat or the one to be chased or antagonized. Hissing is simply

an emotional expression of discomfort, fear, or stress

. A hissing kitty feels threatened, insecure, and uncomfortable.

Why does my cat swat at my dog?

A cat can swat at a dog because

the dog is threatening the cat whether he stares her down or looks her in the eyes

. At least, that’s what the cat believes, so she swats him in the face to show him who’s in charge. An animal outside may have had her going.

How do you stop a cat from hissing?

If your cat is growling or hissing because he’s stressed, then

using cat pheromones may help relieve his stress and reassure him

. Pheromones come in multiple forms, and they’re easy to use. Consider using a spray bottle of pheromones so you can spritz them in the room where your cat happens to be at the time.

How do I socialize my dog with a cat?

  1. Getting started. Make sure the cat has access to a dog-free sanctuary at all times. …
  2. Keep the pets separate at first. …
  3. Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door. …
  4. Teach basic commands. …
  5. Begin face-to-face meetings. …
  6. Repeat sessions daily. …
  7. Allow pets loose together. …
  8. Proceed with caution.

How do I get my cat to be nice to my dog?

  1. It’s All About The Smell. …
  2. Ensure Your Cat Has Their Own Territory. …
  3. Raise Them Together. …
  4. Plan The First Time They Meet Carefully. …
  5. Make Sure Your Cat Is Relaxed. …
  6. Show Equal Amounts Of Fuss To Both Pets. …
  7. Separate Them After Their First Meeting.

Can a dog be friends with a cat?


A dog and a cat may develop a close friendship

, sharing a bed, eating each other’s food, and playing together, or they may develop a grudging respect and just stay out of each other’s way.

How do cats choose who to sleep with?


They will choose a spot where they can make a quick getaway

, even if they feel secure when sleeping with one of their human family members. Your smells and sounds. Cats are sensitive to scents and sounds and can be attuned to a certain person’s snores, odors, etc.

How can you tell if a cat has imprinted on you?

When cats don’t feel threatened by other cats, they will show affection by rubbing on them, sleeping near them, and being in their presence.

If your cat replicates those behaviors with you

, Delgado says it has officially imprinted on you. They rub against you.

Do cats get mad at their owners?

Remember, while

it’s totally normal for your cat to get annoyed with you from time to time

(you are roommates/best friends/confidants, after all), if it’s happening frequently then it’s good to do some sleuthing and try to get to the bottom of why they’re feeling this way often.

What breed of dog kills cats?


Greyhounds and other sighthounds (such as the Saluki and Whippet)

are notorious cat hunters. As natural-born coursers, they have a true instinct for chasing down and hunting anything small and furry — including cats. While they are great family dogs, Greyhounds don’t do well in houses with cats.

Which dog breed is friendly with cats?

  • #1: Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are one of the best dogs for cats, and “golden” is a fitting word to describe this classic breed. …
  • #2: Labrador Retriever. …
  • #3: Beagle. …
  • #4: Pug. …
  • #5: Bichon Frise. …
  • #6: Shetland Sheepdog. …
  • #7: Basset Hound. …
  • #8: Poodle.

Can a cat and dog breed?


Cats and dogs cannot mate with each other

, even if it looks like they’re trying to do so. Their breeding behaviors, heat cycles, and different DNA prevent them from being able to produce healthy, viable offspring. Hybrid species can be created when the animals have similar DNA to each other, such as lions and tigers.

Will my dog and cat ever get along?

Proper Introduction.

The majority of cats can happily coexist with a dog if they are given time to comfortably get to know each other

. If a puppy and kitten are raised together, they generally will learn right away to tolerate each other, and some cats and dogs grow to be real friends, even playing and napping together …

Can a cat hurt a dog?


Cats can also harm dogs, but this happens far less often

. In most cases, the cat is simply trying to get away from the dog. Like you might expect, the best way to keep your pets from fighting is to prevent them from fighting in the first place. Prevention is the best strategy in this situation.

Does my cat hate my puppy?

Even if you introduce a puppy slowly,

a cat still might exhibit signs of jealousy

. Keep a careful eye on your kitty in the weeks after introducing a puppy. The most obvious signs of jealousy is if your cat is acting aggressively towards the puppy, even if the puppy isn’t interacting with the cat.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.