Why does your cat stare at its owner without blinking? What does this behavior mean? Veterinary specialists explain the reasons behind your cat’s intense eye contact.
+ Hilarious Video: When the Water Runs Out for Washing the Owner’s Head, Dog Gets Creative
+ Tau PET: A hope for the future of Alzheimer’s patients
1. The cat wants your attention
According to Dr. Mikel Delgado, a cat behavior specialist from Rover, your cat might be staring at you because it’s bored or because it’s used to making eye contact before good things happen, such as getting treats.
For a better reading, pay attention to what your cat is doing besides staring. “If you start to walk, they might take the lead and show you an empty food bowl or the door so they can go out, for instance,” said Lucie Wilkins, a registered veterinary nurse and cat blogger from Kitty Cat Tree, to the website Romper. Sometimes, staring is just part of the cat’s overall attempt to communicate with you.
2. The cat is curious or surprised
It might be that if they are staring at you without blinking, they are probably very interested or surprised by a sound you’re making or something you’re doing, according to Dr. Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM from Better With Cats.
And as anyone who has ever lived with a feline knows, cats can be surprised by almost anything, from the sound of a cabinet door closing to the dishwasher turning on. “Sometimes, an unfamiliar noise or movement can startle your cat, and they might be scared or curious to know what will happen next,” added Wilkins.
“The wide-eyed stare might be due to curiosity and not wanting to miss anything, or fear and concentration for the next move,” she said. Your cat’s wide-eyed look might simply mean that some sound or movement caught them off guard.
3. The cat feels threatened
Try to avoid a direct stare-down with your cat. “A cat that is staring without blinking might mean that it’s trying to dominate. I would never recommend staring into a cat’s eyes as it might result in a hostile confrontation,” advised Wilkins. In fact, some cats find a direct stare threatening, as Dr. Delgado explains.
Instead, look away or try to blink slowly to help your cat feel calm and secure. “To break your cat’s stare, slowly close your eyes (what we call a ‘slow blink’), which is a relaxing gesture,” explained Dr. Delgado. “Your cat might even ‘slow blink’ back at you.”
Generally, this is a very positive sign. “A soft partially closing gaze is a sign of relaxation and comfort in cats,” said Dr. Philips.
