My cat hissed at my niece, should i be concerned?

My cat hissed three times at my 4 year old niece today. Shes never before hissed at her before this (ive had Kitty since she was 3 months old, for three years now).

Out of everyone that lives in this house Kitty has always treated my niece differently. When i first adopted her she would play fight with us and bite our hands. She never did this to my niece. She would hiss at us if we bothered her too much. lol My cat has a temper, but she’s  only scratched someone once on purpose, that was because our dog wouldn’t leave her alone, and she scratched him when he cornered her. That was 3 years ago.

She’s never harmed anyone since, so i don’t think she would hurt my niece, but the fact that she’s hissed at her concerns me.

Its funny, because when adults approach her, Kitty runs so we won’t carry her, but if my niece approaches, she will  she lets her pet her, hug her, and kiss her. She will purposely stay still long enough for her to touch her. lol She doesn’t ever do that for anyone else. She will even expose her belly to my niece.

But it still bothers me that she hissed at her, should i be concerned? My cat was playing in a  box, and my niece wanted to go play with her, and she started hissing, but was looking away from her.

It looks like the cat was uncomfortable when your niece leaned in as if to lie down on her. Children are very hands on with animals, and especially if your cat used to hiss when she didn't want to be bothered anymore, chances are she's telling your niece "I don't want to be bothered anymore".

There are little things that most kids don't know any better about, and especially if it's not their animal, they don't know the boundaries the animal has. I wouldn't call it a temper, but she's got her limits and she doesn't want people to push them. Perhaps getting into her space, getting into that box, and instead of just a hand, putting something like her head (larger, heavier) towards her seemed intimidating or was unwelcome or confining. Especially if she did it multiple times, I would ask your niece to back off and give Kitty more space for a little while.

It is hard to tell, but it looked to me like your kitty might have gotten a little disoriented or felt a little too confined for a second. It looked more like she was hissing at the box rather than your niece.

I agree with the other posters. It looks like the cat got her face covered by that paper when your niece leaned in & that startled the cat. It was like the cat hissed at the situation, not your niece. I wouldn't be concerned at all. The cat didn't seem aggressive in the slightest. But I would maybe help teach your niece to be more conscious of the cat & play with her like a cat, not like a dog. 

pinkdagger said:

 
There are little things that most kids don't know any better about, and especially if it's not their animal, they don't know the boundaries the animal has. I wouldn't call it a temper, but she's got her limits and she doesn't want people to push them. Perhaps getting into her space, getting into that box, and instead of just a hand, putting something like her head (larger, heavier) towards her seemed intimidating or was unwelcome or confining. Especially if she did it multiple times, I would ask your niece to back off and give Kitty more space for a little while.

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This makes a lot of sense, thanks! I did immediately tell my niece to leave Kitty alone, as i didnt want to upset her further. 

I do teach my niece how to play with Kitty, she used to be worse, much more energetic around her. XD Ive taught her to be quieter and more gentle with Kitty. I never stopped her from laying her head like that, because Kitty never seemed to mind before. She just leans her head for a hug, and gives her a kiss.

Mojoseph said:

 
It is hard to tell, but it looked to me like your kitty might have gotten a little disoriented or felt a little too confined for a second. It looked more like she was hissing at the box rather than your niece.

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Thats the feeling i got, because she would look away when she hissed.

rlavach said:

 
I agree with the other posters. It looks like the cat got her face covered by that paper when your niece leaned in & that startled the cat. It was like the cat hissed at the situation, not your niece. I wouldn't be concerned at all. The cat didn't seem aggressive in the slightest. But I would maybe help teach your niece to be more conscious of the cat & play with her like a cat, not like a dog. 

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I didnt notice about her head getting covered, you are right though. I agree, i think she might have gotten too overwhelmed by the situation. I always watch when they play, and i correct her when she doesnt things Kitty doesnt like. I didnt stop her from putting her head on her, as Kitty has never minded before. My niecelikes  lays her head on her fur and gives her a kiss. Thankfully my niece listens when i tell her to be more gentle.

Thanks everyone! I feel much better, I will keep watching when they interact, and make sure my niece is more careful.