Are you a new cat lover or a lifelong fan of felines? Either way, you’ve probably heard about a special kind of kitty eye contact: the cat slow blink. This small but powerful gesture has often been called a “cat kiss.” Cats slow blink at us as a sign of love and trust.
A slow blink usually involves a series of soft, half-closed blinks, ending with a long eye narrow or even a full eye closure, says Stephen Quandt, CFTBS, cat behaviorist and founder of Feline Behavior Associates. “It can appear to either be a half blink, a three-quarter blink, or even a full eye closure but is done slowly, and usually several times in a row.”
Let’s dive into what this sweet cat behavior means and how you can blink right back at them!
Why Do Cats Slow Blink at You
The main reason cats slow blink at us is to show they love and are happy with us, explains Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM, a veterinarian expert with JustAnswer Veterinary. Unlike ordinary reflexive blinks, he says slow blinks are slow, deliberate, and gradual.
“Cats tend to exhibit slow blinking behavior when relaxed and in a content setting, calm and with their loved ones,” says Dr. Andrew Raskin, DVM, a lead veterinarian and partner at CityVet Roswell.
Slow blinks are just aimed at us though! Quandt says your kitty might slow blink at other cats to be friendly, show trust, or express contentment. This leads some people think of it as more of a “kitty smile” than a “cat kiss.”
Although we know less about cats’ social communication with humans compared to dogs, studies on slow blinking have revealed some interesting findings:
- Cats prefer slow blinkers. Cats are more likely to approach a person who slow blinks than someone with a neutral expression.
- Cats start the connection. Cats often initiate slow blinks, which shows they want to bond socially.
Thankfully, slow blinking is completely normal and isn’t a sign of any health problem. However, eye movements mistaken for slow blinks, like rapid blinks, squinting, and eyelid twitching, are red flags for ulcers, infections, or pink eye.
Do all cats slow blink?
Slow blinking is instinctive behavior. Regardless of age or breed, all cats can slow blink. Actually engaging in slow blinking is a personal choice and some cats don’t enjoy doing it.
If your cat doesn’t slow blink, don’t worry! It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong or that your cat doesn’t love you. Quandt says cats can show love in other ways.
If you’d like your cat to slow blink, you can try starting one yourself to see if they respond!
How to Slow Blink Back at Your Cat
Once your cat’s slow blinked at you, you’ll want to do it right back! Quandt says learning to slow blink can be helpful if you’re approaching or trying to bond with a nervous, scared, or stressed cat.
To slow blink at your cat, he says it’s as simple as doing what cats do:
- Choose a cat you feel comfortable around and want to bond with.
- Gently get their attention by calling their name or using a training cue.
- Slowly close your eyes partway.
- Repeat, closing your eyes a little more each time.
- Finally, close your eyes fully, then open them again.
- Repeat this a few times and wait for the cat to respond!
Signs your cat’s responding positively
Dr. Raskin says if your cat’s purring and making biscuits while you slow blink at them, they’re having a positive response,
Other signs of a slow blinking happy kitty include:
- Gently moving, lightly-swishing or upright tail
- Relaxed body posture like loafing
- Upright ears
- Forward facing or sideways whiskers
What to Avoid When Making Eye Contact With Your Cat
Sometimes the best laid slow blinking plans can take a detour into uh-oh territory. Our feline friends are sensitive creatures and are very responsive to the ways we look at them.
“Direct staring is challenging and indicates distrust,” Quandt says. Cats see it as a threat, just like they would with other cats.
If your cat looks uncomfortable—eyes wide open with big, dilated pupils—don’t try to slow blink.Quandt says dilated pupils mean your cat is gathering information because they feel threatened.
Be gentle with your eye contact to keep your cat feeling safe and relaxed!
10 Other Ways Cats Show They Love You
If your cat’s not a slow blinker, don’t fret! Our kitties show us their love in a myriad of ways. Dr. Raskin and Quandt say ten other ways cats show they love you include:
- Trilling
- Purring
- Rubbing up against you
- Head bunting
- Curling their tail around you
- Grooming you
- Sleeping on or next to you
- Giving you love bites
- Kneading
- Raising their tail
Cat slow blinking is a special way for your feline friend to show trust and affection. Whether or not your cat slow blinks, there are plenty of other ways they communicate their love—just keep an eye out for them!