Stubborn cat aggression

Our cat Riley will be a year next month. She is the most stubborn cat I've ever came across.. I know cats are stubborn generally, but she is over the top. She jumps on our lights no matter how many times we redirect her, as well as the counter, the table, inside the 130 gallon fish tank, and on top of doors. Well, lately when we remove her from the counter she's been swatting at us with her claws. Now she is even hissing at us! When my fiance removed her the other day from the counter she hissed at him - all he had done was gently pick her up and put her on the floor. Last night she ran towards the lamp ready to jump. I moved my hand in her direction so she couldn't cross to go to the lamp - she smacked me and then hissed at me. This morning I was in the kitchen and she was ready to jump on the counter. I told her "No" and she meowed like she was telling me she really wants to go on and whyyyy can't she. So I told her "No" again and she hissed at me! I didn't touch her or anything.. she hissed when I told her no. I don't get it. Then of course after she hissed she preceded to go onto the counter.

We've tried loud noises to get her down, redirection and even water and nothing has helped. I'm not even that concerned with trying to make her stop (although it is annoying for her to go up there on kitchen counters and tables), however I'm more concerned with the fact that she is hissing at us. How can we change this behavior?

Hiss back at her.

So far that's what I've been doing. It just really bothers me. Our other cat never really hisses unless extremely upset about something and that's just usually if someone is over or something. I've never been hissed at like this before. Twice Riley has done it without even looking upset, just casually opens her mouth and hisses. The third time I've seen her do it she looked angry - that was the one when she hissed when I said no to her.

You are right about hissing being the cat's way of showing anger or distress. But it is strange that your Riley would do it as often as you say. Is it possible that it may be more of a health thing than being stubborn? Or perhaps Riley is a vigorous kitty in need of a cat tree and more activity toys?

Well, she's not just walking around hissing at random so I would exclude health issues. She's doing it only when we stop her from doing something she's so strong willed to do. She loves jumping and climbing up high - hence the fact that she wants to be on the counter, doors and lamps. We have plenty of toys for her and buy both the cats toys frequently. They also have a tall cat tree that she loves to use.

More often then not when we remove her from the counter she just gives this whine that she's mad, but not a hiss. Just these last few times she's been doing the swatting and hissing to show us whose boss. Pretty soon she's going to run the house.