Understanding Your Cat’s Body Language: The Eyes

Humans love eye contact. It can make us feel appreciated, special, loved.

However, as it usually is with our cats, things aren’t that simple. Eye contact, which we view as friendly, our furry companions view as assertive or threatening.

Photo courtesy OlsenWeb

But it makes sense if you think about a cat’s natural instinct.

Cats can be very self-conscious. When it realizes it’s being watched, the cat may assess the threat, and then return to whatever he was doing, but in a more self-conscious way. The direct eye contact intimidates your cat, which can make him uncomfortable.

Similarly, this is why cats try to out-stare each other to resolve conflicts. It’s a battle of the wills. That’s also why if two cats are fighting, it can help if you break their line of eye sight with a blanket or tray (never your body!). By cutting off their line of sight, they may become distracted and go on their way.

This may provide a glimmer of insight to why your cat may tend to approach non-cat people in a room. Just imagine it – you have a number of friends over, and your cat walks into the room.

Naturally, your friends who love your cat will likely look his way and call his name, an attempt to draw him close. However, that behavior, specifically the direct eye contact, may have the opposite effect. Your cat may view those actions as threatening, and instead approach someone who’s trying to ignore your cat. Since they’re not looking at your cat, it poses less of a threat. (Now you can explain it to your friends!)

That said, not all eye contact is bad. Some folks try “blink kissing” with their cats – blinking slowly and deliberately while staring directly at the cat. This break in eye contact is supposed to convey “I’m not threatening; you can trust me.” Some cats may even blink kiss back, others may become more self-aware by fluffing up or grooming.

Some claim that blink kissing can build a stronger bond between you and your cat, but I say you may want to take this with a grain of salt. One concern I hear now and again is that an owner’s cat doesn’t blink kiss back. I guarantee it’s not because your cat doesn’t love you, it’s most likely because he’d wish you’d cut back on the intimidating direct eye contact.

In fact, cats usually reserve their direct eye contact to things that they’re focusing on, such as a toy or dinner. Most of the time, a cat is paying attention to his surroundings via his incredible peripheral vision.

Photo courtesy tjHmmer

While a cat’s eyes can communicate how he’s feeling, generally they convey just one part of the overall message. When reading a cat’s eyes, be sure to keep several factors in mind. For example, a cat’s pupils may dilate or constrict based on how he’s feeling, or they may simply be adjusting to the light.

Fully open eyes

• The cat is giving something his attention
• The cat is alert

Half-closed eyes

• The cat is sleepy or content
• May signal that your cat trusts you

Dilated/expanding pupils

• Fear or aggressive excitement
• Nervous or submissive
• Excitement to see an owner, feline friend, food, or toy

Constricted/narrowed pupils

• Angry
• Confident
• Content/calm

What’s funny about a cat’s eyes, especially his pupils, is that the feelings that they convey aren’t black or white. Consequently, it’s important to keep in mind your cat’s body language as a whole to see how he’s feeling.