Cat Slow Blinking: What It Means and How to Blink Back

Why a slow blink means trust

To a cat, a long stare is a threat. When two cats lock eyes, a fight often follows, and the longer the stare, the higher the tension. So when your cat closes their eyes in front of you, they’re choosing not to watch you for a moment, which says “I don’t think you’ll hurt me.”

That’s why cats often stare hard at strangers or people they don’t like: they’re on guard. When your cat slow blinks at you, the guard is down.

Slow blink first, and your cat will answer

If you slow blink at a cat first, they’re more likely to slow blink back, even if you’re a stranger. A stranger who slow blinks and then holds out a hand gets approached more readily than one who just looks on with a blank face.

Slow blinking isn’t just something cats do once they like you. You can start it, and it makes a cat more willing to come to you. In shelters, cats who answer people’s slow blinks more often tend to be adopted sooner, possibly because people see them as friendlier.

How to slow blink at your cat

Make sure your cat is relaxed, not eating, sleeping, or watching a bird out the window. Sit about three feet away, with your eyes level with theirs or a little lower. Then:

1. Narrow your eyes softly, the way you do when you smile. Don’t stare or frown.
2. Slowly close your eyes for one to two seconds.
3. Open them slowly, wait a few seconds, and do it again.

If your cat half-closes or shuts their eyes too, that’s their answer. If they look away or get up and leave, they’re saying “that’s enough for now,” which is perfectly normal.

What to avoid is staring at your cat without blinking. However gentle your expression, to a cat a fixed stare is a threat. A slow blink works because it breaks that stare.

Other “I trust you” signals

Besides the slow blink, a few other relaxed signals often show up together:

• A tail held straight up with a curved tip, like a question mark
• Rolling over to show you their belly. It isn’t always an invitation to touch, but they’re comfortable letting you see it.
• A loose, soft body with slow, steady purring
• Kneading your lap or a blanket

One alone doesn’t tell you much, but several together usually mean your cat is relaxed. For how to read the tail, ears and posture, see the cat body language guide.

When your cat doesn’t slow blink back

Not every cat answers right away. A nervous cat, or one who’s new to your home, may still be making up their mind. Some cats don’t like eye contact much and will glance at you and look away. A cat who’s focused on a sound somewhere else won’t pay much attention to you either.

Try when your cat is at their most relaxed: after a meal, in their favorite spot, when the house is quiet. Try a few times and don’t rush it. A slow blink is like a quiet hello, and it’s fine if they don’t answer.

If your cat stays tense, hides and has dilated pupils whenever you come near, something at home may be stressing them. The guide to signs of stress in cats can help.

How Furwise Can Help

Take a photo of your cat and Furwise looks at their eyes, ears, tail and posture one at a time, telling you what each shows and what it may mean, then gives a read on their mood. It’s a useful second look when you can’t tell whether your cat is relaxed or wary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my cat really saying “I love you” when they slow blink? It’s closer to “I feel safe next to you.” To a cat, a long stare is a threat, so closing their eyes in front of you means letting their guard down. If you slow blink first, they’re more likely to blink back. It isn’t quite a human “I love you,” but it’s a real sign of trust.

I slow blinked and my cat didn’t respond. Do they dislike me? Not necessarily. The timing may have been off, they may have been watching something else, or they may just not use eye contact much. No response doesn’t mean they dislike you. Try again a few times when they’re at their most relaxed.

Does slow blinking work with unfamiliar cats? Yes. When a stranger slow blinks at a cat, the cat is more likely to blink back and more willing to approach that person’s outstretched hand. It’s worth having guests try it with your cat, or trying it yourself with cats at a shelter.

What happens if I stare directly at my cat? To a cat, a long, fixed stare is a threat and can stress them. If you want to share a look, slowly blink every few seconds or glance slightly away instead of locking eyes.