Have you ever caught your cat staring at you from across the room, only to have them slowly narrow their eyes and close them? A slow blink, if you will.
It might feel like an ominous or mysterious gesture, but you’ve actually just been given one of the highest compliments in the feline world. While cats have a reputation for being standoffish, especially compared to dogs, they are often just waiting for us to speak their language.
Allow Chairman Meow’s Feline Ministry of Health teach you why cats blink slowly.
The Slow Blink, or “Cat Smile”
Scientists have confirmed that this behavior, known as the slow blink, really does work as a way to communicate with your cat. Experts often describe the slow blink as a “cat smile” because it mirrors how human eyes narrow during a genuine grin.
In the world of feline body language, think of the slow blink as a delicate, intentional feline way of saying, “I love you” or “I trust you!”
The Meaning Behind a Cat Blinking Slowly
The primary reason cats slow-blink is to signal that they feel safe and comfortable. It is an acceptance gesture that shows they trust you enough to close their eyes in your presence. Because cats often interpret an unbroken stare as a threat, the slow blink serves as a way to show benign intentions.
The slow blink is the hallmark of a confident and happy cat and is their way of expressing these positive vibes to their human family.
The Science of the Slow Blink
The slow blink isn’t just a random habit or a reflex; research published in Scientific Reports shows it is an intentional behavior. Scientists found that the speed of a slow blink, in which both the closing and opening of the eyelid are slow, differs significantly from the rapid reflexive blinks cats use for eye health.
In experiments conducted by psychologists at the University of Sussex, cats were found to be much more likely to approach a human’s hand and blink back if the human initiated the slow blink first. This was true whether the person was the cat’s owner or a complete stranger.
Chairman Meow says: Cats have an entire blinking language. Just never look into a cat’s eyes and blink 3 times, because that means, “please eat my eyeballs.”
How to Start a Conversation By Slowly Blinking
You can actually use this trick to enhance the bond you have with your own cat or even a friend’s kitty. To start a “conversation,” try this:
- Sit about 3 feet away and wait for the cat to look at you
- Narrow your eyes as you would in a relaxed smile
- Then close them for a couple of seconds.
You will likely find they respond in the same way, creating a “blink off” that proves you both trust and love each other. (source)
While dogs may be more enthusiastically demonstrative, cats are incredibly in tune with their humans. They recognize their names, pick up on our moods, and even echo our personality traits. Learning to slow-blink is a simple, effective way to improve your relationship and support your cat’s emotional health.
So, the next time you lock eyes with your kitty, don’t just stare back, give them a slow smile and see what they have to say.
Believe Chairman Meow!