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Cats are great companions that make our lives happier and healthier. Having a feline friend can also surprise you with the things they do. If you have a cat, I am sure you might have wondered why my cat was winking at me.
Cats use their eyes to communicate with other cats and pets. Looking at their little faces can boost your mood when you’re having a bad day. And when this furry friend blinks or winks at you, it melts your heart. If you look closely, you can see that they might wink a lot at certain times during the day. This action can happen due to a variety of reasons. In this article, we will answer your question “Why does my cat wink at me?” and suggest six reasons for this occurrence.
Why Does My Cat Wink At Me
It’s just a normal behavior
If your cat winks at you occasionally, it’s just a part of their normal behavior. Sometimes, blinking is good for their eyes. It has been studied to help wash away germs, remove irritants and clean around the eyes. The main purpose of this action is also to keep their eyes moist and stop dry eyes.
However, if your cat winks a lot, it could indicate an underlying medical condition. You need to call your vet for a check-up.
Your cat wants to show love
As mentioned above, cats communicate and interact through their eyes. They often stare at each other when they are angry or aggressive. If your cat blinks slowly at another cat, it means they want to come in peace and friendly intention. In this case, blinking is considered as hugging or a handshake.
People believe that cats wink at their owners to show that they love them. It’s such a feeling when they are safe, secure and comfortable with your presence.
There are many other signs that show your cat really likes you. Headbutting, for instance, is a behavior of marking territory in cats. Rubbing or spreading their body or scent on you is for marking you as a friend. Also, when a cat curls their tail around your leg or arm, it could indicate a sign of friendship and affection.
Your cat trusts you
If your cat winks at you, it simply means that they trust and feel loyal to you. By rubbing their face up against you, they are identifying you as a friend. Many cat owners insist those blinks are kitty kisses. They convey trust, loyalty, relaxation and contentment. You can also respond to your cat by looking into their eyes, blinking slowly and giving them a kiss.
Along with slow winks, your cat sometimes shows you their tummy. It means that you’ve earned their trust. This is one of the cutest things many cat owners love to see.
To build your cat’s trust, there are few things you need to keep in mind. First, respect your cat’s personal space. Often, it takes quite long for cats to settle in. If you invade their home, they will learn to distrust you. You can add food, water, a litter box, a comfortable bed, and favorite toys. After they feel safe, they will come to you naturally.
Also, cats communicate through their body language. You need to observe their actions and respect what they are telling you. Aside from the cat winking, pay attention to their ear and body positions as well.
Your cat wants attention
Cats love to be petted, played with and talked to. Like humans, they can get stressed and bored very easily. That’s why cats sometimes display attention seeking behaviors. Common signs might include biting, clawing, jumping, curling legs or walking around and meowing excessively.
If your feline friend blinks slowly or rubs their head or body against your leg, they may need attention. In this case, redirect your cat to natural and positive behaviors. Do not ignore or punish them. Reward your cat when they are displaying behaviors you want.
There are many ways to reward positive interactions in cats. You can reward them with treats, pets, and praise. Use soft soothing voices to encourage their good behaviors. Reward your cats to train them by games like hide and seek, catching balls, or chasing a prey.
Your cat is sleepy
When your cat winks at you with half-closed eyes, it may imply that they are too sleepy. It is also a sign of trust they possess for you. When in an environment where cats feel safe and relaxed, they want to nap. Otherwise, they feel threatened and get ready to fight, flee, or freeze.
To help your cat fall asleep quickly, make sure that they get enough play during the day. Play with your cat at least 15 to 30 minutes a day, in the morning and in the evening. This not only helps burn off their excess energy, and calm them down but it is also good for your cat’s health.
Because of an eye infection
Like humans, cats may also suffer from eye infections. Some infections can cause their eyes to blink, which can be mistaken for winking. Pink eye infection is an example. It occurs when the bacteria attacks the membrane lining of the eyes. As a result, the cats might experience some symptoms like swelling around the eyes, eye discharge and winking.
Sores or ulcers can also be the root. These are known to cause irritation, blinking or winking in cat’s eyes. In some cases, cats might have cloudy eyes, making them wink consistently throughout the day.
Winks may just indicate that your cat experiences allergies. The problem is commonly associated with a variety of accompanying symptoms, like redness, rubbing, and squinting, swelling, and eye discharge.
In conclusion
There is no need to worry when your cat winks at you occasionally. But if the behavior happens too often and is accompanied with other symptoms, call your vet immediately. The winking in cats can be related to an infection that needs urgent medical attention. Besides, take good care of your cat to make sure they are happy and healthy.
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