Cats will stare at their owners for all kinds of reasons. This can be because they are being nosey, showing affection, showing they are angry, or because they feel anxious. So, next time you think your cat is trying to challenge you to a staring contest, consider the reasons why.
Assess Your Cat’s Body Language
Although eyes can be a window into the soul, keep in mind that cats communicate through more than just eye contact before becoming overly concerned that your cat is plotting your death. Reading his body language from the tips of his ears to his eyes should be your first move.
Your cat’s posture can reveal a lot about how they are feeling, so pay attention to whether they are standing straight, in a stiff stance, with their tail tucked in when they are staring at you.
Two distinct body positions combined with looks tell two distinct tales. Your cat is genuinely expressing affection if he is staring at you and slowly blinking while he is only a few inches away from your face.
Your cat is likely trying to tell you that he wants to spend time with you and be near you because he is blinking, which is a friendly gesture, along with other signs of loose, relaxed body language.
Or, this could be his way of waking you up. This friendly body language indicates he just wants your attention, regardless of whether he wants his breakfast now or for you to get up and spend time with him.
Cats that are about to attack do not exhibit loose, relaxed body language. Telltale symptoms of an upset cat include dilation of the pupils, ears turned to the side, a stiffer body, and an agitated tail that sways back and forth.
In addition to making direct eye contact, that body language indicates that your cat needs space and could be dangerous. The best course of action in this situation is to put some distance between you and your cat by averting your gaze, diverting his attention, and getting him to focus on something else.
You can give your desk a gentle tap, or you can throw a pen or a crumpled piece of paper for your cat to chase across the room.
Whether or not your cat engages in play, it helps break eye contact and defuse tension. When your cat appears calmer, engage him in an activity that he truly likes, such as chasing after a fishing pole toy or batting around his crinkle cat toy.
Your cat may be displaying signs of fear if he is hiding behind furniture or is crouching down with his tail tucked under his body while staring at you.
Your cat has been startled by something you unintentionally did, like leaping up and cheering when your football team scores a touchdown or tripping and dropping an object. Occasionally, it might be a sound your cat heard from outside your house.
He’s mentally scanning the area for danger. He will fix his gaze on the person who is closest to him, making the most noise, or moving. Now would be a good time to relax by taking a few deep breaths during meditation.
If he is a big fan of his treats, it would be really difficult for him to remain fearful and eat his favorite goodies. You can also try placing those treats in an cat interactive toy or feeding center, such as the KONG active treat ball cat toy or the Trixie activity fun board interactive cat toy. Working for his treats will help take his mind off whatever had previously scared him.
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How Cats Learn to Get Your Attention
When it comes to learning how to get their owner’s attention, cats can be quite intelligent. When it comes to saying, “Hey! Look at me,” cats are no strangers. They can vocalize loudly or use more subdued cat stares. ”.
I am aware that whenever I notice my cats staring at me, I tend to talk to and pet them more. In my situation, the staring is my cat’s way of asking me to interact with them.
Similar to some dogs, some cats have mastered the art of staring at their owners in order to get them to feed or play with them.
In human society, staring is considered impolite, but in the world of animals, it can mean many different things. To improve your relationship with your cat, find out what it has to say to you.
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Dr. Wailani Sung is passionate about assisting pet owners in preventing or successfully treating behavioral issues in their companion animals so they can
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