Study Reveals a Simple Way to Communicate With Your Cat

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Cats are known for being a little distant, but if you feel like you and your cat aren’t bonding, it could be because you’re not speaking their language.

Don’t worry though, research from 2020 found it’s easy to connect with your cat.

You just need to smile at them the way cats do, by narrowing your eyes and blinking slowly.

Researchers observed interactions between cats and humans and confirmed that this slow-blinking expression encourages cats, even ones you don’t know, to approach you and be more open to interaction.

Karen McComb, a psychologist at the University of Sussex, explained, “As a cat owner and animal behavior researcher, it’s great to show that humans and cats can communicate like this. Cat owners have suspected it for a while, but now we have proof.”

Cats “Smile” When They Blink Slowly

If you’ve spent time around cats, you’ve likely seen them squint their eyes and blink slowly, especially when they’re relaxed and happy.

This is often seen as a cat’s version of a smile.

Some cat owners have noticed that if they mimic this slow-blink expression, cats respond positively.

To test this idea, researchers conducted two experiments.

Two Experiments Prove Slow Blinking Works

In the first experiment, 21 cats from 14 different homes took part.

The cat owners were asked to sit about a meter away from their cats and slow-blink when their cats were looking at them.

The results showed that cats were more likely to blink back at their owners after their owners blinked first.

In the second experiment, 24 cats from eight households were studied, but this time it was the researchers doing the slow-blinking instead of the owners.

The researchers also extended a hand toward the cats. The study found that cats were not only more likely to blink back at the researchers, but they were also more likely to approach the hand after the blink.

A First-of-Its-Kind Study

This was the first study to explore slow-blinking as a form of communication between cats and humans.

McComb suggested that anyone can try it with their cat or a cat they meet.

She said, “Try narrowing your eyes at them, like a relaxed smile, then close your eyes for a couple of seconds. You’ll see that they respond by blinking back, and you can start a sort of conversation with them.”

Cats vs. Dogs: A Different Kind of Bond

While dogs may show their affection more openly, cat lovers aren’t surprised by this news.

Recent studies have revealed that cats are more in tune with their human companions than we previously thought.

Comparing cats to dogs isn’t really fair, cats respond to people who are open to them, and their behavior often reflects their human’s personality.

Cats also recognize their names, though they sometimes choose to ignore them. And their bonds with humans are deeper than many realize.

Why Do Cats Blink Slowly?

It’s unclear why cats blink at humans like this. Some think it’s a way of showing that they mean no harm, as cats usually see staring as a threat.

It’s also possible that cats learned to blink this way because they noticed humans react positively to it.

With domesticated animals, it’s often hard to say for sure.

A Better Bond With Your Cat

What we do know is that slow-blinking helps create a connection between cats and humans.

This knowledge could not only strengthen your relationship with your cat but also help improve a cat’s emotional well-being in different settings, such as vet clinics or shelters.

Psychologist Tasmin Humphrey from the University of Sussex added, “Understanding how cats and humans interact positively can improve public understanding of cats, boost their welfare, and teach us more about their social abilities.”

You’re probably going to try slow-blinking at your cat right now, aren’t you?


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