You are sitting at home, and your cat suddenly arches its back and hisses in the corner? Your heart skips a beat: are they really ghosts? Calm down, it's not about mysticism.
Science has an answer, and it will surprise you. There's more to your pet's behavior than meets the eye. Find out what's behind that hissing sound.
Hypersensitive hearing
Cats hear sounds that are inaccessible to us. Their hearing frequency is up to 65 kHz, compared to 20 kHz for humans.
A 2018 study in the Journal of Comparative Psychology found that cats respond to ultrasound, like the sound of wires or mice in the walls. The hissing is their alarm signal.
Invisible threat
Your cat may sense movement outside the room. In 2021, veterinarians at Cornell University found that cats can detect vibrations in the floor or air.
Did the neighbor's dog pass by? Did the wind shake the curtains? Your pet is already on guard, even if you can't see anything.
Territory under control
Hissing is a defense of space. Ethologists claim that cats mark the house as their zone.
In 2019, Applied Animal Behaviour Science published data: 80% of cats react to unfamiliar sounds or smells with aggression. Emptiness for you is a potential enemy for them.
Hunter's Vision
Cats' eyes see in the dark 6 times better than humans.
A 2020 study from Vision Research confirmed that their pupils detect even the slightest glint of light.
A shadow from a lamp or a reflection in a window? The cat will decide that this is prey or a threat and will hiss.
Stress or play
Sometimes hissing is a sign of stress. The American Veterinary Association noted in 2022 that moving, loud noises, or a new scent like perfume can cause anxiety in cats.
But it can also be the other way around. Kittens often hiss, exercising their hunting instincts.
When to be wary
If your cat hisses frequently and without reason, check their health. Pain or discomfort — from teeth to joints — makes them react to emptiness.
In 2023, the Mayo Clinic found that 15% of cats with chronic illnesses exhibited this type of aggression.
What to do
Don't be scared or scold your pet. Listen: is there water dripping or equipment humming somewhere? Remove the irritants.
Play soft music to mask the noise. If the behavior persists, contact your vet.
True story
In 2020, a cat lovers' forum discussed a case: a cat hissed at a wall. The owners found a mouse nest there using a thermal imager. The animal was not mistaken - it sensed what people had overlooked.
Your cat is not crazy
Hissing at nothing is their way of communicating with the world. Hearing, sight and instincts make cats detectors of the invisible. Next time, just check: maybe he's right?
Author: Dmitry Bobrov
