Why Does My Cat Look Away When I Slow Blink

When you have a cat as a pet, a lot goes into keeping them happy and healthy and telling them that you are a safe and loving person. Believe it or not, your cat is learning to communicate with you, too, learning your body language, tone of voice, and even some vocabulary so that they can be a good housemate and pet. 

One of the best things you can do with your cat is sharing that communication work by using some uniquely feline body language while they work to learn your tone of voice and some words. 

That includes slow blinking at your cat, which tells them that you are calm and comfortable with the current situation. 

So why does your cat look away when you slow blink? 

It’s important to remember that slow blinking is a mood signal but not necessarily a social activity for your cat. When you slowly blink, you’re telling your cat that you’re calm and comfortable, and your cat may also slowly blink to say the same thing, or they may move on with their day.

The goal isn’t as much to have a conversation with your cat as it is to give them a little reassurance and help them figure out your mood and how they should behave. 

Your cat looking away when you slow blink isn’t them ignoring you. You’ve just told your cat that you’re good for the moment, so they can relax and engage with other things if they want to. 

What If My Cat Doesn’t Blink Back, Is That Normal?

Slow blinking is generally a way to signal to other cats in a group that you’re calm, comfortable, and even a little sleepy. It’s a way of telling others that you’re relaxed and safe to be around. 

Remember, cats are predators. While they live in large groups sometimes, they are naturally independent and can be prickly or aggressive if they’re approached by another cat when they are in a bad mood. 

Slow blinking is more an outward communication than a conversation. So slow blinking at your cat can reassure them, but they won’t necessarily slow blink back unless they are also calm, comfortable, and relaxed. 

For instance, if you slow blink at your cat, and they want to play, it might use some other body language in its tail or ears to try and convince you to play with them. If you slow blink and your cat is anxious or alert, it might look at the thing that’s making them anxious or meow at you to try and tell you what they’re reacting to. 

So, don’t be offended if your cat looks at something else or tries to engage with you differently. They know what you’re saying; they aren’t in the same mood right then. 

Here’s How Cat’s Understand Slow Blinking

You may be surprised to learn that cats do indeed understand slow blinking, and that it’s a positive signal from their owners.

Cats are very in tune with our body language and signals, especially when we do something that mirrors their body language. A slow blink is a little like a smile for a cat, which is why they can be contagious sometimes! 

When you slow blink at your cat, it may get a surge of happy or contented feelings that can help them relax, especially in new or stressful situations. 

Your cat might not always share your slow-blinking smile, but they understand and will feel better for it anyway. 

Sometimes Cat’s Won’t Slow Blink In Return

Many people have heard that slow blinking is a good thing for cats, and they start to get worried when their cats stare at them without blinking. But the truth is that those stares aren’t a bad thing. 

The only time you should be worried about a cat staring at you is if they try to meet your eyes at the same time. In that case, they are probably angry or irritated by something you’re doing and want you to stop. 

But most of the time, an intent stare is just your cat being curious or surprised by something and often means they’re trying to figure out what you’re doing or why you’re doing it. 

Your cat might even be having fun with the mental puzzle of trying to understand someone important to them, you!