We know that there are an infinite variety of meows, but they are not the primary way cats communicate their moods and every need. To do this they mainly use non-verbal language, through their posture, the movements of the tail and ears. But there is a way to communicate with them. And to do that you have to use your eyes.
Cultural wallCats have a reputation for being aloof, especially compared to dogs. But that’s simply because they don’t speak our language. How many people have gone abroad and nodded or smiled when we didn’t understand what they were saying? It’s the same for cats. This “cultural wall” sometimes prevents us from understanding what they want to communicate to us and discourages many, but it is not impossible to break down. There will always be cats that are more suspicious and less inclined to human contact, but with a little observation and attention you can discover an unknown side of your puppy.
Winning smileA smile is always a winning weapon. Cats smile too, but they use their eyes to do so. And to communicate with them, we must learn their technique. A study by the University of Sussex, published in Nature Scientific Report, observed cat-human interactions and was able to confirm that slow blinking causes both known and unknown cats to approach and be receptive to humans. “As someone who has studied animal behavior and is a cat owner, it’s great to be able to demonstrate that cats and humans can communicate in this way,” says psychologist Karen McComb, lead author of the research. “It’s something that many owners have certainly already experienced, but it’s exciting to have found the evidence.”
The feline winkIf you observe your cat you will notice that he often stays with his eyes partially closed and that that moment of relaxation is also accompanied by a slow blink. This expression is interpreted as a kind of feline smile. And turning to him doing the same – that is, closing your eyes for a few seconds while you look at him – allows you to get in tune. As experienced by English psychologists, cats are able not only to see this call but also to respond, to start a sort of conversation. But what are we telling him by batting our eyelashes?
Flying kissesIt’s hard to know why cats wink slowly at humans like this. It has been interpreted as a means of communicating good feelings, like a kiss from afar, given that for them the uninterrupted gaze is threatening and they combine it with hunting. Exchanging sweet eyes is certainly a way to tell him that you love him, but also to calm him down. In stressful situations or where your cat seems more aggressive than usual, initiating this communication through his eyes can help him regain his composure and make him understand that you are his ally.
