Your Cat’s Body Language: Slow Blinking
As pet parents, we are used to seeing our cat’s do some strange things…. like running from one end of the house to the other at 3:00 AM, for example. Have you ever wondered what your cat’s body language is telling you, such as when he looks at you at blinks slowly?
What does it mean when your cat looks at you and blinks slowly?
According to animal behavior experts, when a cat blinks slowly, he feels save. It’s a gesture of acceptance. It means the cat is perfectly comfortable in his present circumstances.
If your cat gazes into your eyes and gives you the slow blink, consider yourself loved. It may not seem like it means anything, but to a cat it ‘s a sign of love and affection.
A cat’s slow blink is kind of like the butterfly kiss of the cat world. Much like humans flutter their lashes to communicate affections, cats flutter their eyelashes at the people they love. Cats will even slow blink at each other as a way to indicate acceptance.
Why do cats slow blink?
People often think their cats don’t show much affection, but that’s not true at all. They may not always be as obvious about their affections as dogs are, by they have their own ways of revealing their feelings. You just have to know what to look for. For example, when a cat kneads with his front paws, that’s another way they show love. While the slow blink is much more subtle, it means the same thing. Next time your cat slow blinks at you, try returning the gesture to indicate you feel the same way.
The Science Behind Your Cat’s Facial Expressions
According to the Journal of Physiology, when a cat slow blinks, it’s a deliberate motion, rather than the typical rapid blink that’s generally involuntary. It’s not a reflexive movement, but actually an intentional one. In another article from the American Association of Feline Practitioners, one veterinarian noted that when a cat is in her office, it’s the confident and happy cats who display the slow blink behavior.
So, now you know what it means when your cat gives you the slow blink. Now, you can return the gesture to let your cat know you love and trust him, too!