Help: Little Kitten Hisses At Outdoor Strays....?

Question

I have 2 kittens and I'm they are indoor cats but I may let them sit on the porch if I'm present so one was standing on the porch when a stray cat and a stray kitten found some food i dumped outside and ate it. My kitten saw them and when I picked her up her belly got tight and she hissed at them twice and they didn't do anything to her. My kitten's only territory is in side the house so is this a problem? Why did she hiss at them?

Answer 1

As long as your kitten can see the other cats outside, she is laying claim to that part of the house as her territory, too.     It doesn't matter that you happen to think of her as an indoor cat . . .in her mind, her territory is what she can smell AND see.

Answer 2

Your cat might just be scared of them or she's telling them, "Go away! or you'll have trouble!" When a cat is indoors it is perfectly at home, it has it's food, water, toys, and affection from you. She doesn't want it taken away from her!  

Answer 3

She hisses at the strays instinctively. She is protecting her territory, which, as far as she is concerned is as far as she can , " smell ", a threat. She will probably outgrow this as she also becomes accustomed to the strays being around. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

All kittens or cats hiss at other unfamiliar cats and kittens. Why would it be a problem if your kitten will be inside anyway?  Hissing is just a natural behavior for all kittens and cats. Perfectly harmless.