Q&A for How to Get Your Cat to Stop Hissing

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  • Question
    How can I tell when my cat is getting upset or scared?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Read your cat's signals. If your cat at any point starts whisking their tail back and forth or flattening their ears, that's a sign that you should back up and give them some space.
  • Question
    Do cats like to be handled?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Cats don't necessarily want to be touched a lot. Some of them will allow it, and with some of them, you just really need to read their signals. Most cats don't like their belly or tail being touched.
  • Question
    I have two cats that are brothers, who been together since day one. I had to take one to the vet yesterday, and ever since I brought him back, the other hisses every time he sees him. What could be causing this?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    The cat that had his ears cleaned now smells different after being handled at the vet's office, so his brother is confused because he looks the same but doesn't have the scent he should. Put the cat that went to the vet in a separate room for a couple of days so that he picks up the smell of home, and everything should be fine.
  • Question
    My new cat hisses at my dog. How can I encourage them to get along together?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    It's natural for a cat to hiss at a dog, so you need to introduce them slowly. Swap their scents back and forth so they are used to how each other smells. Let them see each other through a barrier while they are eating. Always supervise the dog and cat together. Keep the dog on a lead and have him sit, rewarding his calm behavior while he allows the cat to get used to him.
  • Question
    I have two cats, both females. They are both spayed and up to date on their shots, but they both growl and hiss at each other and me. I try to stop it with regular spray bottle of tap water, but they both still do it. What should I do to help my two cats?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    These cats really aren't getting along and could do with time away from each other to calm down. Keep one in a separate room with her own tray, food, bed, and toys, and allow the other to roam the house. Use a scent handshake to get them used to each other. Do this by stroking one, then the other, to transfer their smells between them. Then try feeding them on either side of a barrier so they can see each other but not fight. Have a friend play with one cat, while you play with the other. Gradually reintroducing them should do the trick.
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