Why Is My Cat Growling For No Reason

What Does A Low Growl From A Cat Mean

If you notice a cat growling in a low, almost gravelly manner, it may not be a sign of aggression at least perhaps not towards you. In these cases, the cat may be warning you of possible danger he perceives to be on the horizon. If the growl is especially extended, this is especially likely, so stay alert.

How Do I Get My Cat To Stop Growling At Me

When your cat is growling at you, it may mean that it is angry at you. If this happens, give your cat a space to relax. Space is vital during this time. You can also give it a toy to redirect its anger from you towards the toy. This toy helps your cat play and forget its anger. However, your cat also growls sometimes because it is in pain, or it might be afraid of something scary. As the owner, you must be very sensitive and attentive to even a little change in your catâs behavior. If growling at you continues, seek professional help from the nearest veterinarian.

What Does Cat Growling Sound Like

To me, cat growling sound like a low brrrrrroooooooooooowwww. Gabby sometimes makes what I call a pre-growl or warning growl, which sounds like a creaking door a slow and low precursor to the full-on growl. Growling is a deep, rumbling noise that comes from passage of air through vocal folds, explains Dr. Sasha Gibbons of Just Cats Veterinary Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. can sound very similar to a dog growl.

If Gabby is especially not pleased, he will follow his growl with a big hiss. For those who still dont know what cat growling sounds like , check out the video of this poor little ticked-off guy above.

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How Should You Respond To Cat Growling

Cat owners often wonder how they should react when their cat growls at them. The best action to take is to keep your distance. In most cases, a growl is given as a warning and they are telling you they are unhappy. Proceeding towards a growling cat may anger it further and it could scratch or bite in what it perceives as self-defense.

What Is Growling And Whats The Deal With Your Cat

Growling is a raspy, guttural sound that kitties produce on several occasions.

Sometimes it may sound like a grunt, whereas other times it may remind you a bit of yowling. It all depends on the cats mood, vocal cords and the reason behind its actions.

The growling is usually preceded by hissing or is followed by it.

In cases like these cats are giving the so-called double warning. This type of vocalization might seem unnatural if the kitty is growling at an inanimate object or a person for no clear reason.

Go check out my article on cat hissing if you want to find out more about why your pet might be producing the hissing sounds.

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What Does It Mean When A Cat Makes A Low Growl

Growling is another sound cats make when they are angry or want to scare off a potential threat. Kittens, as well as older cats, may growl when cornered. Theyll hunch their body and puff out their tail and the rest of their fur. A low-pitched growl is usually a warning, telling the threat it needs to back off.

Cat Hissing: Everything You Need To Know

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Cats have an extensive repertoire of vocalizationsat least 12 distinct ones, experts say . They practice meowing, growling, purring, trilling, and howling to name a few. Each of these unique cat sounds offers clues into what a cat may be feeling.

Cat hissing is one behavior that indicates fear and acts as a way to warn off others, but its also associated with other negative feelings like anger and distrust. It can even signal a health issue. 

Understanding the science behind hissing places you in a better position to decipher cat communication, and ultimately help your cat thrive.  

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Chattering Chittering Or Twittering

If your cat loves to sit in the window, you usually hear this sound. Your cat imitates every sound it hears as it watches birds through the window. But this could also mean a plan your cat is in â it is planning to kill the bird.

A Stray Cat Is Hissing At Me

One of the important factors we need to consider is the relationship we have to a cat that is hissing. When we see a cat on the street, it is very tempting to go and pet them. Unfortunately, not all cats will be well suited to interaction with humans. Feral or stray cats either never had a home, have become lost or were abandoned.

When we meet a stray cat, their hissing can often be interpreted as a sign to back off. Many people think this means the cat is aggressive, but this is not the case. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The cat is being defensive. Cats are naturally territorial animals, whether they live with humans or not.

Stray cats don’t have food provided for them and often face real dangers in their environment. If we come across one, it is often the case they think we are either going to hurt them or take away some of their scant provisions. For this reason, the cat is hissing out of fear and insecurity. We shouldn’t approach a stray cat and try to pet them, especially if they are hissing and raising their back.

If you need to move a stray cat for valid reasons, it is best to call a shelter. However, if this is not possible, you can look at our article on how to catch a stray cat safely to know what to expect.

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Theyre Feeling Angry Or Annoyed

The worst type of cat is an angry one. Vengeful, unpredictable, and agitated who knows what damage your feline can do when theyre in this mood? Cats growl at objects, animals, and even people when they are irritated.

When your cat feels angry or aggressive, they will often pull their ears back, their pupils will constrict, and their fur stands on end. Growling can be a sign that may lead to an actual physical attack on the perpetrator if they do not back down.

If you notice your kitty growling, dont be surprised if she hisses and spits too.

If your cat continuously snarls and their expression changes, its best to somewhat back away and give them time to cool off, rather than try to pet them. If they go from moderately annoyed to full-time-bare-teeth raging, leave the room and give them space.

An entertained cat is a happy cat. Check out my posts on 9 Best Treats for Cats, Ultimate Guide to Gifts for Cats, 6 Best Toys for Cats, 14 Best Cat Chew Toys, Clothing for Cats and Best Costumes for Pet Cats.

My New Cat Is Hissing At Me

When we adopt a new cat into the home, we might expect they should not be afraid. We will provide them with everything they need and we are there to love them, not hurt them. However, we need to look from the cat’s perspective.

If the cat has been through the shelter system, it is possible they have faced abandonment or even abuse. This can lead to trauma and an understandable mistrust of humans. In these cases, it will take a while to earn the trust of a cat. Even if they have had a safe existence up to the point of joining your family, cats are creatures of habit and routine. Moving to a completely different environment is a shock to them.

If a new cat hisses at you, it is important you respect their boundaries. To not try to enforce interaction. Instead, provide them with all their basic care needs and let them learn how to be around you. Let them make the first move and don’t give them reason to fear you. Even trying to pick a cat up can make them hiss if they think you are trying to hurt them.

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What Does Aggression In Cats Look Like

Although owners often report a cat attacking out of nowhere, cats often exhibit subtle changes in body positioning before launching into an actual act of aggression. These postures may be a clue in pinpointing the trigger for the aggressive behavior, as well as a much-needed warning before future attacks.

Defensive postures are intended to make a cat look smaller and position herself in a protective manner. These postures may include: crouching, flattened ears, turning away from the person, hissing, swatting at you, raised hackles, or a tucked head. A defensive cat is often experiencing fear or anxiety about a situation that may or may not be apparent to you. You can be the recipient of fear-based aggression even if youre not the one causing the anxiety.

Offensive postures make a cat look big and intimidating. These postures include: stiffened legs

• Hackles raised

• Growling

• Stiff tail

In either case, you want to avoid interacting with a cat exhibiting these postures as they are on the brink of moving on to the real damaging moves. A cat in attack mode can move with startling speed and aggression, and inflict extensive damage in a very swift period when the mouth and all four paws are engaged.

Ferocious Felines: Why Do Cats Growl

Your precious fur baby just released a nearly harrowing sound. This disturbing noise instantly sparks your curiosity: Whats wrong with him? Did I do that?

Fear not! Cats growl for various reasons. Its rarely an indicator of some horrendous, underlining disease or even severe distress.

Often times, they are merely irritated. However, we are still going to delve into the potential reasons your cat is exhibiting an extra dash of hatefulness. Hopefully, you will both be able to catch some peace!

Below, we have highlighted some common reasons cats growl.

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Final Thoughts Why Is My Cat Growling

Cat growling can be downright scary. While cats can seem unpredictable and crazy, growling is actually their attempt to warn you that you need to back off before they go crazy. Growling is often your cats response to feeling threatened, scared, or if they are in pain. If you suspect your cat is stressed or injured, contact a veterinarian immediately. Your cuddly cat will be back to themselves in no time!

How To Stop A Cat From Hissing

Rewards like toys, treats, or canned food can sometimes help relieve the anxiety and stress associated with cat hissing, says Demos. Try to do this at a distance, not up close and in the face of any cats involved in the situation, she says. 

Additionally, if you have a multi-cat household make sure each cat has their own bowls, toys, and space. Give them separate dishes to eat from, separate toys to play with, and preferably, in separate rooms or at least out of visual range, adds Demos.

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Showing Dominance Fear Or Annoyance

In the wild, cats prefer to use their energy to find food and not to fight off other animals.  

Cats rarely go out looking for a fight, and only tangle with another feline if they feel they must.

Growling and hissing are useful tactics cats use to frighten away other animals that may pose a threat.

Some other common signs your cat is showing dominance, fear or preparing for an attack are: 

• puffing out their hair to look longer, bigger
• arching their backs 
• lashing their tale in a slow and pointed way 
• their pupils will be dilated 

Often, this behavior will continue until one cat backs down, admitting defeat.  

Despite what appears to us to be an aggressive stance, a puffed up cat growling with ears back and teeth bared is actually a cat that is afraid, not angry.

Fear can create a monster out of even the gentlest kitties.  

Having friends visit, being played with roughly by a small child, having itchy flea bites, bringing a new pet into your household and loud noises can all be frightening for a cat. 

A frightened cat can bite just as hard as a provoked cat, so be very careful around them.  

Try to remove whatever is the stimulus of the fear and then leave kitty to decompress for a while before trying to pet or touch them to hopefully avoid an ER visit. 

A Footnote On Why Cats Growl

Felines are curious, often misinterpreted, animals. Cats continuously try to communicate with us and the world around them. Theres a lot to learn and interpret from your kitties vast vocabulary of chirps, meows, purrs, and growls.

However, growling, spitting, or hissing often indicates a cat who is feeling annoyed, aggressive, agitated, or frightened.

Cats are sassy pets, and growling may be a means of communicating distaste for something. If you find yourself in a situation where your sweet kitty does end up growling, you should  leave them alone.

Note: You should not punish your cat when they are growling. Instead, try to pinpoint the reason behind why shes making those sounds. Punishing your pet will only stress them out or further anger them.

Keen to get your cat out and about? Check out my posts on Is Cat Walking Possible?, 7 Best Escape Proof Cat Harness Options, 5 Best Carrier for Cats choices, 14 Best Cat Carrier for Car Travel options and 4 Top Travel Litter Box options.

Please Note: This why do cats growl post contains affiliate links. That means if you click through on most of the links and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this.

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Petting In The Wrong Place

Even if our cat has not incurred an injury, it is possible they will hiss if you touch them in a certain place. They won’t necessarily be in pain, but may simply not want you to touch them in a particular area. All cats are individuals, but generally there are certain places you should pet a cat, at least at first.

Do not pet a cat on their belly unless you are sure they enjoy it. Most cats do not like their belly being touched as their underside is very vulnerable. However, some cats may simply not want you touching them on a particular place and will let you know with a hiss and even a scratch.

Cats don’t hiss at you for no reason. It will mean something has changed, whether in their environment or how we act to them. If you don’t have much experience, you will need to learn all you can about what a cat is trying to say to you so you can provide the care they need. Our video below on the different noises cats make will help you to do so:

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Why Does My Cat Growl At Me When I Pick Her Up

Playing with your cat if you have one is one of the most satisfying things to do. You enjoy each other, and it is incredible. Generally, cats are fantastic, and being with them is excellent.

One of the nicest things to do with your cat is to pick it up and cuddle it like it is your baby. But sometimes, it growls at you when you pick it up. So, what does it mean? It means that it does not want to be picked up because it wants to be left alone. So, let it be until it wants to be picked up again. Maybe your cat just wants to rest because it feels terrible, so she does not want to play with you.

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What Is Cat Growling And What Can You Do About It

Like most animals, cats make a wide range of different noises. These are used to communicate with other cats, react to a situation, warn away a competitor, attract a mate, or to express their feelings. Understanding the different noises that cats make and why they make them is complex. It involves observing the cats behavior to link it to the noises they make in each situation. If you are a cat owner, you will probably have noticed that your cat occasionally makes a growling noise. This type of noise is more typically associated with dogs, so it may seem confusing as to why your cat is growling. Here is what you need to know about cat growling.

What You Should Do When Your Cat Hisses Or Hides

• Give him space. Do not try to hold your cat or comfort him.
• Let your cat feel secure. Do not stare at him. Let him hide.
• Give your cat time. Cats may take hours to calm down, not minutes.
• When he is calm, coax your cat out with food and/or catnip. Remember: do not look him directly in the eyes and approach from the side. You are less threatening this way.

Obviously, there are many things that your cat may be upset by or dislike. By being aware that when your kitty hisses, he is feeling afraid, threatened, or uncomfortable, you can change or modify the way you interpret your cats behavior or inter-feline dynamics.

Contributed by Dr. Evelyn Richer, DVM and Alana Stevenson, MS

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Answer Your Cats Growling And Other Language The Right Way

Your cat interacts with you through the catâs language and its body language. If it meows, this could mean something. If it dilates its eyes, it could also mean something. But whatever it uses to interact with you, remember that everything has a meaning. Answer your cat with the right response by knowing its behavior and characteristics.

Why Is My Cat Hissing At Thin Air

Theres little more unnerving about waking up in the middle of the night to ask yourself, Why is my cat hissing at thin air?

Has this ever happened to you?

Cats can be a little barrel of curiosity, doing things that make little to no sense to us, at times leaving us baffled.

So, why is your cat hissing at thin air? The answer could be one or several different things. Anxiety, pain, fear, smells that the cat takes offense to, unfamiliar or unliked fellow pets, or even frequencies that it can hear that we cant that is bothering it.

Keen observation may be necessary to try and narrow down what the reasons might be if it isnt something obvious.

Obvious meaning, something like watching the neighbors dog for the weekend, causing the cat to be extremely uncomfortable or downright angry.

That would be obvious and easy to deal with. But if its hissing at thin air, then some deeper investigative work will have to be done on your end.

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Psychological Causes Of Aggression In Cats

Once you have ruled out medical causes for aggression and your vet has given your cat a clean bill of health, it is time to consider behavioral problems. Important questions to ask are: Have there been any recent changes? Have you moved? New partner? New cat in the home? A new baby? New furniture? New routine? New construction workers across the road? Cats are creatures of habit, and anything that changes their routine makes them stressed.

How To Calm And Relax A Growling Cat

If you feel like your cat is growling due to stress or pain, its always the right thing to call a veterinarian and make an appointment. But meanwhile, you might want to give your cat some comfort to reduce their growling.

• Leave them alone: If you notice body language like hissing, baring teeth, tail flicking, and wide eyes, its most likely best to leave your cat alone. They are probably warning you to back off.

• Dont pet them: While you might think petting them could calm your cat, it can come off as a threat to your cat.

• Provide them with CBD: CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. CBD interacts with your cats endocannabinoid system , which may result in soothing and calming effects. Simply drop some CBD oil for cats in their food each day to ensure your feline feels balanced and more peaceful.

• Remove other pets from their territory: Sometimes their aggression may be due to a new pets presence. Its possible you introduced them too fast. Your cat may feel threatened by the newcomer. Allow your cat to establish its territory while the new animal remains in a separate room.

• Never punish them: If your cat starts growling, dont spray them with water or yell at them. They wont understand that you want them to stop growling. Instead, they will only feel even more threatened and fearful. This will just make them act even more aggressive, scared, or defensive.

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Changes In Eating Behavior

Cats are creatures of habit. They will quickly learn when it’s meal time if you meal feed or that there is always food available if you elect to leave a bowl out. If your cat’s speed of eating or the amount of food consumed changes drastically, then it may be an indication of a problem. 

If your cat is eating more food than they used to and not gaining weight, you may want to ask your veterinarian about hyperthyroidism. This is a common thyroid problem in older cats and it will cause your cat to never feel full but also prevent them from gaining weight. People with untreated hyperthyroid cats often describe their cat’s appetites as ravenous and that they will try to eat anything that isn’t nailed down.

If your cat starts to eat less or stops eating altogether, it is a good indication that it is not feeling well, has dental disease, or is stressed. Of course, some cats are simply just picky eaters and prefer certain flavors of food, but if your cat is not eating and is also vomiting, lethargic, and/or losing weight, you should have your veterinarian check them out. Hairballs may work themselves out of the body but sometimes they, and other items, get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract, tumors can cause digestive issues, and other illnesses may cause a cat to stop eating. 

Physical Causes Of Cat Aggression

Before assuming your cat is just plain mean or aggressive because of some behavioral problem, it is important to rule out a medical condition. If your cat is usually friendly and now out of the blue is hissing, does not want to be picked up and this is totally out of character, assume a painful condition or some other underlying physical problem known for causing aggressive displays.

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