Mary Allen
Why does a cat stare at its human? If the cat no longer takes its eyes off a person, there is always a reason. We betray him!
Looking into the big googly eyes of our velvet paws fills us with happiness. However, every now and then the cat doesn’t just look but stares penetratingly.
In order to understand your pet’s gaze and needs, it is important that you know the reasons for this behavior. Here we explain what stare means.
6 reasons why a cat stares
Cats have a strong stubbornness and always seem a bit mystical. This is especially true when they seem to be staring at nothing or looking straight and deep into our eyes.
If the cat looks at us urgently, then there is always a reason. Something is on the cat’s mind, he wants to tell us something with his stare.
One or more of these 6 messages are behind the starting:
Hunger
We gladly accept that we humans act primarily as can openers and servants for our cats. Especially when our velvet paw sits in front of us and stares at us expectantly with her beautiful eyes.
If your cat is relaxed and walks in the direction of the food bowl or food bag while “begging by eye contact”, the case is clear: hunger is the main reason for staring if the cat starts to stare at the typical feeding time or if you eat something yourself.
Some cats will even follow their owners around the home, staring at them, until they reach their destination. So check the food bowls and give them fresh food if necessary.
If the cat (regularly) sits in front of a full bowl, smells it, and stares, this can be a sign that it is not satisfied with the choice of food. The little gourmets just know what is good.
Sometimes you can just sit out the problem until the cat starts eating again. But if she doesn’t eat for a long time, you should heed these tips: You can do this if your cat doesn’t eat.
Curiosity
Cats are wonderful! They are as playful and curious as a child. As soon as something is going on somewhere in the apartment and the four-pawed cats are not one of the timid cats, they are there. After all, cat eyes and cat ears hardly miss anything. If you are busy as a cat owner and are currently pursuing a task, this can sometimes be as exciting for your cat as a good thriller is for us.
If your cat is sitting near you and staring at you, there’s a good chance it wants to watch and find out what you’re doing. Beware: some cats are so curious that they’ll walk between your feet as they stare and watch to get up close and personal with what’s happening.
It is easy for some cat owners to stumble over the cat in a careless moment. So always walk slowly and carefully when your cat is circling you.
Of course, you can also take your cat to another room or distract it until you’re done – but if you involve it in the work and let it watch, your cat will thank you in a good mood and possibly cuddle.
Proof of love
If a cat stares at you and slowly closes its eyes and blinks, then cat owners have hit the jackpot. This facial expression, which looks a little like the cat is about to doze off, is an expression of great affection and contentment. The cat researcher Mircea Pfleiderer even called this behavior the “smile of the felids”, i.e. the cats.
Why is that? If a cat narrows its eyes slightly and blinks slowly while staring at you, then it feels safe and secure with you. The otherwise very attentive fur nose feels safe and protected, which is why it can let its “radar” rest and be inattentive.
This look is an absolute vote of confidence and shows that your cat loves you and enjoys being around you. He often says more than 1,000 words and simply melts cat fans.
The slow blinking is just one token of love among many. We’ll tell you more here: 7 signs that your cat loves you.
Threat
The house tiger is not always in a good mood or looking for cuddles when he is staring. Staring in combination with the following behaviors shows that social distancing is the order of the day:
- laid ears
- humped back
- beating tail
- extended claws
- dismissive posture
- growls and hisses
As sociable and cuddly as cats are, sometimes they just want to be left alone. If the cat stares and exhibits the above behaviors, then it wants to be left alone. The message is: “Don’t get too close to me!”
Important: Respect your cat’s wishes and give it the space it needs. This is an essential basic rule when keeping cats. Don’t force them to pet or play, pay attention to their signals and accommodate your wishes. This is how you strengthen the trust of your furry friend. In addition, thanks to regular rest breaks, she is more balanced and enjoys cuddling with you even more afterward.
Confusion
Cats can be just as confused by our behavior as humans. If you act differently than usual or in a way that your velvet paw does not understand you, this can lead to misunderstandings. By the way, we have the ten most common misunderstandings between humans and cats here for you.
If the cat cannot interpret the behavior, it quickly becomes unsettled. She is irritated and tense, possibly even insecure.
So if you behave differently than usual or are just trying out something new (e.g. a new game type or new accessory), this is a change. In such a case, the cat likes to stare at you and asks with its eyes: “What do you want from me?”
Uncertainty
Cats are very cautious animals. Especially if you don’t know someone well enough or at all.
If a new cat or a small kitten moves in with you or if you meet a strange cat, you may observe extensive staring.
Most of the time, the velvet paw wants to check the situation and analyze the behavior of the person. She wants to know if she can trust you or if she should keep her distance.
If a fur nose looks at you penetratingly, then don’t stare back intensely. This is a declaration of war among cats and tells the animal that you are out for a power struggle.
Tip: Do you want to gain your cat’s trust? As described above, a slow blink is the smile of cats. Blink slowly at your cat, using only gentle movements. This trick will help cats consider you a friend and gain trust in no time.
We wish you a lot of joy with your animal!