Cats usually stare at their owners and purr when they want to be petted or curl up on their laps. If you're sitting on the sofa and your cat is standing at your feet, staring and purring, they're probably waiting for an invite for them to join you.
Cats will stare at their owners for all kinds of reasons. This can be because they are being nosey, showing affection, showing they are angry, or because they feel anxious.
They love their owner(s) and feel dependent on them for security, comfort, play and food. Having a staring contest is just another way to affirm your bond. When you are calm, they are, too. They are constantly sizing you up to see how you're feeling so they can react in kind.
As you probably know, cats are naturally curious creatures. They tend to explore their environment and investigate anything that catches their attention. So when your cat stares at you, they are likely curious about what you're doing. Cats are also intrigued by movement.
Cats tend to use pawing as a form of communication. Cats paw at us out of instinct, by accident, to give or get affection, and to get our attention. Most times, when cats paw at us, it means nothing serious. Sometimes, however, they are getting our attention to tell us that they are sick or in pain.
This isn't because they're pernickety, but because they're keeping themselves safe. Cats feel vulnerable in these situations; and a covered litter box gives them a sense of security. You, on the other hand, aren't in need of that extra measure of safety, hence your cat thinks it's okay to follow you to the bathroom!
A paw lift in cats means something similar to what it means in dogs which is: anticipation. When a cat lifts her paw, something is about to happen. The cat may think that you are going to give her a treat or pet her. She may be about to swat you.
Cats cannot distinguish their owners by staring at them because their faces appear identical when they are at rest. Instead, cats distinguish between humans using sound and smell. Cats learn to identify their owner's voice, and regardless of whether they're wearing cologne, their skin emits a distinct aroma.
People who are not a fan of cats tend to look away or give no eye contact to them. Cats find this non threatening. On the other hand, cat lovers love looking directly into their eyes, causing them to feel intimidated or threatened. When cats are in rivalry, they initially try to out-stare each other.
The Cat Feels Threatened
“A cat who is staring without blinking can signify that they are attempting to dominate. I would recommend never to stare back into a cat's eyes as it can result in a hostile confrontation,” says Wilkins. In fact, some cats find staring threatening, as Dr. Delgado explains.
Many cats are simply looking for attention, says Dr. Bamberger. Wanting to be fed, wanting to play or simply wanting their owners to stop and pet them are some of the reasons why cats may be underfoot or weaving between your legs, even when you are standing still.
You're the favorite.
The reasons for this are varied, but generally speaking, it is the person who cares for them each day. This bond is important to your cat as they are social creatures that need affection and attention from their owner. By sleeping with you, it is another way for them to show their love.
Just like a human, if your cat is bored, they may develop some bad habits or even start doing things that are either unhealthy for them or frustrating for you. Repetitive behaviors, overeating, terrorizing other pets, or even becoming destructive are all potential signs that your cat is bored.
If your cat looks at you with half-closed eyelids, you may be getting eye kisses from them. If their staring is accompanied by purring and kneading, they're saying they love you. So, don't be creeped out by the staring; you're being adored!
It probably feels like your four-legged fur baby has got it in for you, but these perceived acts of aggression are actually an indicator of affection. That can be quite difficult to fathom, right? But it's true; they're actually “love bites” rather than a defense mechanism.
Love. If your cat stares at you while you sleep, it might simply be conveying its deep love and affection for you. If the staring is accompanied by purring, head butts, slow blinks, and facial rubbing, you can be certain that she's expressing her love.
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.
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.
“In a way, cats think of us as bigger cats,” Bonk says. “They might not necessarily know that we're a different species or they just don't care.” Stelow suspects cats will treat their human caregivers with similar displays of affection they show toward other felines.
The author writes, “Although a cat may not care (as that word is generally used) about human morals, cats can and do distinguish between good and bad people, and are excellent judges of human character and emotion.
They can remember a person's face for up to 10 years! And kitties become seriously attached to their humans, so in case you were wondering, yes, your cat remembers and misses you when you're gone for a few weeks, and they absolutely mourn when a trusted companion drops out of their life.
Research shows that cats can recognise their owners, and their owner's voice, even after they've been apart for a while. Find out how cats see their owners and if they recognise their own name.
Smell Transfer
Cats recognize each other (and us) by scent. Raising the butt is your cat's way of getting their anal glands closer to your nose so you can get a whiff of their pheromones. This is how cats introduce themselves to other cats.
Kneading to develop a resting place — Similar to the theory regarding dogs turning in circles before lying down, kneading may help cats create a soft sleeping place. Wild feline ancestors would knead tall grass into cushy piles for a resting place, and this behavior may still be instinctual in our domesticated friends.
Sometimes cats tuck their paws when they are resting and feeling extremely comfortable and relaxed. Much like a human might prop their feet up while reading a favorite book or watching a movie, relaxed cats sometimes tuck their paws under their bodies. Most of the time, cats are on high alert.