Eye Contact and Meaning in Communication in Cats
Cats can convey many messages to both humans and other cats through eye contact and eye movements. Eye contact gives important clues about your cat's mood and trust in you.
Meanings of Eye Contact
- Long-term gaze: In cats, direct and long-term gaze usually means threat or challenge. In communication between cats, this is an effort to establish dominance.
- Slow blinking: If your cat is slowly blinking at you, this is a show of trust, comfort, and love. You can also respond by slowly blinking at it.
- Avoiding eye contact: If your cat is avoiding eye contact, it may not feel safe or be uncomfortable with the environment.
Practical Tips
- Avoid establishing direct long-term eye contact with your cat, this can stress it.
- With slow blinking, you can show your cat that you give trust.
- Also observe the body language during eye contact; evaluate it together with ear, tail, and whisker movements.
> Remember: Slowly blinking with your cat can strengthen the bond between you and makes it feel that you give trust.