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For as much as we might try to meow back and forth with our cats in an attempt to communicate, our efforts are inevitably futile. However, there are ways for your cat to let you know how they are feeling or what they want from you: body language.
Cats use body language to tell you that they are happy, irritated, anxious, or hurting. Different cats will use body language in slightly different ways to get you clued in on their emotions. That is why there is no concrete guide that cat owners can use to figure out what their feline friend wants.
When your cat stares at you without blinking for long periods, it is often a sign that something is up. They are trying to tell you something, and now it is your job to figure out what it is.
The 5 Reasons That Your Cat Stares at You
Fortunately, there are not too many things that your cat could be trying to tell you. Use the process of elimination and knowledge of your cat’s personality to figure it out and end the creepy cat stare-off.
1. They Are Trying to Tell You That They Are In Pain or Ill
If your cat exhibits any strange behavior or a variant of how they naturally act, it is best to assume that they need a trip to the vet.
Take notice of any other signs or strange behaviors that might have started happening around the same time as your cat’s odd staring contests. These can point to what your cat might be suffering from and can help your vet diagnose the cause.
- Ocular disease or vision impairment: Conditions like retinal degeneration, hypertension-related retinal detachment, or cataracts can alter visual focus
- Cognitive decline: Your cat’s eyesight is beginning to fail, and they are taking time to adapt to it. This decline is typical in senior cats. Vision or hearing loss may also make them appear to stare.
- Hypertension: This is the medical phrase for high blood pressure. It can be caused by kidney disease or other diseases limiting your cat’s internal functions. It can cause changes in vision or eye movement.
- Neurological disorders (focal seizures): Some cats experience brief staring or unresponsive episodes related to abnormal brain activity.
It is not guaranteed that a cat that starts staring at you without blinking is ill. However, some of these illnesses are not ones that you should wait on, and considering this option last could put your pet’s life in danger.
2. They Are Attentive and Interested in What You Are Doing
Curiosity might have killed some cats, but for others, it will only give them dry eyes. If you have captivated your cat’s interest, they are likely staring at you without blinking because they might miss something if they do blink.
If you have a curious cat or are doing something out of the ordinary, then this is likely the case for your kitty.
3. They Could Be Assessing You or Feeling Uncertain
It is best not to engage in a staring competition with your cat purely because of this reason. Staring contests are not a game for your cat. Like most animals, staring can be a sign of assertiveness or discomfort. If you stare straight back into your cat’s eyes, they might take it as a sign of threat or challenge instead of humor.
Since humans are so much larger and domineering, cats do not often exert dominance. It’s true that cats do not regard us as their masters, but cats do think of us as their equals. Challenging this balance is not a good idea for the continuation of friendship between you and your feline friend.
If you have already challenged your cat, you might notice that beyond the staring, you also get scratched or bitten by them if you don’t meet their expectations quickly. This behavior will require behavioral modification through positive reinforcement, because this is not a relationship that most people want with their house cats.
4. They Are Afraid
Staring isn’t only a sign of aggressiveness. It can also be a sign of fear or hypervigilance. Just like we go wide-eyed when we are fearful, so does your cat. They might look to you to receive reassurance or comfort for their anxiety.
Be careful, though. If your cat is staring at you with a look of fear, it could also mean that they are afraid of you. If you have done something that has led to pain for them in the past, or if something negative happened with their previous owner, they might shy away from you. If you think that you are the source of their fear, be careful with how you approach them to calm them down and show them that you don’t mean any harm.
Start by talking to your cat gently and in a higher tone, since low tones sound aggressive to most felines. Do not move suddenly, but slowly approach them. As long as your cat doesn’t hiss at you, then you can relax and walk away. It may take time, but with persistence, you can teach them that there is nothing to fear. It is best to wait for your cat to approach you.
5. They Could Be Staring At Something Else Entirely
When it is all said and done, you might simply be in the way of something else more interesting. Your cat might not even be looking at you. If they hear a sound that they don’t recognize, especially if it is within an area that they consider their territory, they will want to know exactly what it is.
The best thing to do in this situation is to test it out. Move a bit, and see if they turn their head to follow you. If you know what the sound was, quench their thirst for knowledge by revealing it to them.
Whatever the case might be, we all know that sometimes, cats are a mystery. You might never know why your cat is staring at you if you have gone through all these options. They are likely trying to figure out something by themselves, and you just happen to be there.
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Conclusion
There are various reasons why your cat may be staring at you, as cats use body language to tell you that they are happy, irritated, anxious, curious, or in pain. While there is usually no reason to worry, if you are concerned and your cat is showing other additional behavioral or physical changes, it’s always best to contact your veterinarian.
Featured image Credit: Angeleses, Pixabay
