“The slow blink is a demonstration of eye contact without staring, and we interpret this behavior as a sign of relaxation and trust. Some might call that love.” Think of it this way: If a cat closes its eyes around like it's falling asleep, it's signaling that it doesn't view you as a threat.
Squinted or half-closed eyes are a sign of affection, relaxation and trust. If a cat looks like they're about to fall asleep, they're relaxed and they trust you. Also, they're probably about to fall asleep. Fun fact: Cats also use their eyes to establish the pecking order.
The Root of the Behavior
Their body posture, ears, tail, and most importantly, eyes can tell us a lot about how they are feeling at a given moment. It is very common for dogs to close their eyes when you scratch them, and usually, it indicates a level of satisfaction, pleasure, or enjoyment.
Your cat stares at you as a way to communicate with you. Your cat may be telling you it's hungry, scared or simply observing you. The best thing you can do is take in your cat's body language as a whole instead of just the staring.
Cats head bump each other and others to create a communal smell because cats recognize each other by smell before anything else. What your cat is really trying to tell you is, “Hey, I want you to smell a little more like me but don't worry I still love you!” How is this done?
When your kitty looks at you and slowly closes his eyes, as in the video below, he's showing that he's content and comfortable around you. In fact, this slow-blinking behavior has even earned the nickname "kitty kisses."
If you've ever had a cat or spent a great deal of time with one, you've probably noticed that once you gain their affection, they will close their eyes when you pet them. If your cat is thoroughly enjoying the attention, she is closing her eyes because she trusts you, and she feels extremely relaxed.
Purring: When cats are deeply relaxed and content they tend to purr to self soothe. But when a cat rubs against you and purrs it is synonymous with saying “I love you.” Slow Blinks: When cats close their eyes in the presence of another animal or human it is a sign of trust, which is a fundamental aspect of love.
There are dozens of meow sounds in the cat language that vary in pitch, length and volume. A short, high-pitched meow is your standard 'hello', while a drawn out mrrrooowww is a demand for something like 'open the door NOW'.
You've Hit the Spot
Although elevator butt may seem rather insulting to us, it's actually the cat's very positive response to the fact that you've hit just the right spot when petting her. Typically, that spot is at the base of her tail.
Cats only make eye contact with people they like and are even known to make 'eye kisses'! This is when a cat will stare with half closed eyelids and slowly blink, repeatedly. It's a gesture that can be reciprocated, so if you notice your cat giving you a 'kiss', why not give them one in return?
Approaching you (it's a little gesture, but it means they feel safe) Head butting and rubbing. Purring. Blinking slowly.
They often will make eye contact with lowered eyelids and steady, slow blinks. This is considered a feline version of a kiss, and you can even try slow blinking to show love back to cats.
The truth is, cats understand affection just like any other animal, and domestic cats might actually see us as their real-life mommies and daddies. A 2019 study revealed that kittens evince the same behavior towards us as they do their biological parents.
Turns out, it depends on the cat. Some cats are socialized as kittens to be held and kissed, while others haven't had that exposure and might be put off by a kiss as an expression of love. So, some cats like it and some cats don't—but there are ways of detecting the category into which your feline friend falls.
The cheek rub is a way your cat shows affection. He might even be saying, “I'm so grateful to have you in my life.” Cuddles and Kisses. When your cat is snuggling up to you, it's pretty obvious she's displaying her thanks for all that you do.
Direct eye contact
Cats can find direct eye contact quite threatening. They wouldn't look another cat straight in the face unless they were fixing for a fight. When your cat's relaxed, they might look at you with a peaceful gaze or half closed eyes. A “slow blink” is your cat's way of saying they love you.
According to a study done by the nutrition company, Canadae, they discovered that the person who makes the most effort is the favorite. People who communicate with their cat by getting to know their cues and motives are more attractive to their cat companions.
As well as being a method of communication, staring is also a sign of a close bond between you and your cat, as they are unlikely to hold eye contact with someone they don't like or trust.
Famously independent, sometimes falsely assumed to be immune to feelings, cats are in truth super-sensitive to emotions, sound, and stress. Perhaps because felines lack the eager-to-please openness of their canine colleagues, humans overlook the big and small ways they can break a cat's spirit.
Meowing at cats allows one to mock them but on a level that they can appreciate. However, I have to acknowledge that all cats are different. Some will walk away once they realise it was a human meowing, others will interrupt immediately with an angry meow, while others will join in the meowing.
In addition to being petted, do cats like to be held? Sometimes. Most cats love to snuggle, and they're typically responsive to being held if you introduce them to it gradually. The best way to approach your cat for a hug is to start with a few soft pets, then carefully pick them up.
Your cat is showing you how much they care by giving affectionate licks and bites. This could be an attempt at cuddling, or it may just want to play rough. You can still show and accept plenty of affection from your cat, just not the love bites.
When your cat sticks her tush in your face, what she's really doing is simply asking for attention and affirmation. When you pet your cat, she regards that as an act of being social and affectionate. So, sticking her bum right up in your space is a way of saying, “hey! Look at me!