these ways of communication are very important. they are used between a mother cat and her kittens. they are also used between male and female cats; and between cats and other species, such as dogs. a mother cat protecting her kittens will fight off the largest dog. she gives good warning with a frightening display, hissing furiously, showing her claws, arching her back, and making her hair stand on end. if that fails, she attacks the dog's face with her claws. it has been said that no dog ever tries such an attack a second time.