Why Does My Cat Wink at Me? 3 Vet-Verified Reasons for This Behavior
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If you are like most cat owners, you are regularly surprised by your cat's behavior. Cats are rarely predictable, at least until they get old and set in their ways. One quirky thing that some cats seem to do is wink at their human family members.
However, cats cannot be winking for the same reasons humans wink. So, why do cats wink at people? What does it mean when a cat winks at you? Below, we'll answer these questions once and for all. If you've got a winking cat and are wondering why they do this, read on to find out.
The 3 Possible Reasons Your Cat Winks At You
1. Their Palpebra Tertia Is Acting Up
Cats do not only use their regular eyelids to blink. Their palpebra tertia also does the blinking in the background. A cat’s palpebra tertia, third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, helps protect the cornea, especially in nature, where leaves, branches, and tall blades of grass could injure their eyes.
To prevent the eyes from drying, a cat blinks with the palpebra tertia and eyelids until they moisten. This can cause your cat to look like they are winking at you when they are simply just trying to blink and moisten their eyes and lids. Once their eyelids are properly moistened, the blinking/winking should subside.
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2. They Want to Show Trust and Loyalty
Cats sometimes wink at people whom they trust and feel loyal to. If your cat enjoys spending their time around you and they feel a deep bond with you, chances are you will get a wink from them at least occasionally. Depending on the situation and the cat's personality, some cats wink at their owners out of adoration with one or both eyes.
Pet owners whose cats are typically aloof or indifferent likely will not do any winking at their family members. However, cats that stick to the sides of their human companions and show other signs of affection, such as rubbing and talking, are likely to find the time to wink at the ones they care about most, but if you are not paying attention, you might miss it.
3. They Are Dealing With an Eye Infection
Unfortunately, eye infections are common in cats, and some infections can make your cat blink, and the blinking can be confused for winking. A sign that your cat is dealing with an eye infection is them winking consistently throughout the day. Your cat might be dealing with pink eye, which is when the membrane lining the eyes becomes infected by bacteria.
In addition to winking, your cat might have a discharge coming from their eyes or experience swelling around the eyes. Corneal ulcers can be painful, irritating the eyes and making them blink, which sometimes looks like winking.
Corneal ulcers can also create a cloudy look in the eyes, but allergies can also make your cat wink. Other signs that could accompany allergies include redness, rubbing, and eye squinting.
Is Winking Anything to Worry About?
Unless the winking is caused by a medical problem, there is no reason to worry about your cat winking at you occasionally. If you suspect that the winking is due to a health condition, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment to see your veterinarian for a checkup. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion
There are only a few reasons a cat might blink or wink at you, so it should not be tricky to figure out the specific reason for your cat’s winking habits. You will likely not see your cat blinking or winking often. It simply is not a significant part of their personality or temperament.
If you catch a wink from your cat, take the time to reinforce their affection with a pet or a cuddle. A cat slowly blinking at their humans is a sign of trust and appreciation, and cats are more likely to make contact with a human slowly blinking at them. However, you should ensure the cat’s eyes are healthy and you are not confusing a medical problem with this behavior.
Featured Image Credit: Dirk Jan de Graaf, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
