Mary Allen
Cats communicate not only through body language and sounds. The cat’s eyes and facial expressions are also important means of expression in cat language. However, the looks of a velvet paw cannot be interpreted independently of the rest of the cat‘s language and the situation. The following tips will help you better understand your cat.
Not only the cat’s spoken language is multifaceted and fascinating, but also the body language and the facial expressions in the cat’s eyes offer your furry friend countless possibilities for communication. Cat language knows how to tell stories in many ways, whether through purring, meowing, cooing, chattering, or hissing – or through behavior, ear or tail position, and looks.
Cat Eyes: What the Pupils Reveal
The pupils of the cat’s eyes also narrow and widen independently of the incidence of light – and thus provide indications of the mood of your velvet paw. Enlarged pupils can be a sign of fear, stress, surprise, or excitement. Which of these is true depends on the context and the rest of the cat language cues. For example, dilated pupils are more of a sign of happy excitement when you bring your furry friend its food. Does it have ears forward and tail wags back and forth, possibly a toy or prey has piqued their curiosity. When encountering the neighbor’s dog or superior feline rivals, dilated pupils combined with a crouched posture can mean fear and defensiveness.
Constricted pupils, on the other hand, are more a sign of aggression and offensive combat readiness. In connection with forward-pointing ears and an attentively tense body, the willingness to fight is meant to be more playful. On the other hand, backward-folded ears and narrowed pupils call for caution: this is where the cat is getting ready to attack.
Stare & Blink in Cat Language
The movements of the cat’s eyes are also important means of communication in cat language. Eyes slightly or completely closed are usually signs of relaxation. Friendly cats like to blink or wink very slowly. This is an expression of trust and, in cats, the equivalent of a human smile. So feel free to blink slowly at your cat occasionally if you want to show your affection.
Staring is considered rude in cat language, as it usually expresses aggression. Especially if the pupils are constricted and the ears are laid flat, you should quickly take your eyes off the staring cat. Averting the gaze can be roughly “translated” as a kind of apology. It is a gesture of appeasement and shows that you accept being the underdog. However, with dilated pupils and forward ears, staring can also mean playful aggression. Then your cat is more likely to be staring at potential prey that it wants to catch.