Top 3 Secrets What Does It Mean When a Cat Winks at You: #3’s Scary!

Did my cat just wink at me?

I thought I was just seeing things. But my cat did it again.

I honestly thought that it was just an eye reflex, but my cat was staring straight at my direction. Even when I changed the place where I was, she would follow me with her gaze, and wink again.

It soon dawned on me that perhaps my cat what trying to tell me something. That's what got me interested in researching about what does it mean when a cat winks at you.

In this article, I’ll share with you what I discovered.

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The Window to Your Cat’s Soul

It turns out that the saying, "the eyes are the window to the soul" doesn't just apply to us, humans. In fact, this saying is more fitting with cats than with their human owners.

Cats are not as expressive about their emotions as dogs. Sure, your cat may occasionally rub its body against your leg or jump onto your lap when it craves for some attention. But, the best way cats communicate with you through their eyes. The way how they look at you and others can tell you a whole lot about what they’re feeling and thinking.

For example, if your cat stares at someone without blinking for a long period of time, it’s a sign that they feel threatened. Staring down a person means that your cat’s uncomfortable about the person’s presence, and is basically telling that person, “dude, you’re entering my territory.”

On the other hand, if your cat's eyes get huge and the pupils are fully dilated during the day, it can be that your cat is telling you that it’s in pain and needs help. Wide eyes and fully dilated pupils can also be that your cat’s afraid or, like with my cat, guilty of doing something naughty.

What Does It Mean When a Cat Winks at You?

Reason #1: It’s a sign of affection

If your first answer to the question, "what does it mean when a cat winks at you" is a sign of love, you're absolutely right! Just like you’d wink at someone that you like, your cat’s wink is its way of showing a deep sense of affection and appreciation.

This was what Jackson Galaxy (dubbed the Cat Daddy) discovered after doing a test on 45 different cats while working at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. For a cat, giving a slow wink and shutting its eye for a relatively long time is its way of telling you that they love you, that they feel safe with you, and they trust you.

Reason #2: Your cat is sleepy

If your cat's winks at you and its eyes are semi-closed, it means that it's so relaxed with you and the environment that it feels safe enough to go and take a nap. At the same time, it shows the level of trust they have to you because a cat will always be on alert and unable to relax when it’s in a place where it feels threatened.

Reason #3: Your cat has an eye infection

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A kitten with conjunctivitis. Image Credits: Animal Eye Care

Not all cat winks are a sign of affection. If you notice your cat blinking the same eye frequently and running its paw over it, it could be that your cat is suffering from an eye infection.

Unlike with humans, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the pink membrane in the eye), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) or any kind of eye infection is dangerous to a cat. These infections can cause your pet to suffer lifelong chronic problems.

Take a closer look at your cat and see if he or she shows any of the following symptoms:

  • Watery eyes
  • Discharge coming from the eyes
  • Red or white eyelid linings
  • Change in eye color
  • Consistent winking or blinking
  • Tear-stained fur
  • Formation of a crusty matter in the corner of your cat’s eyes
  • Visible third eyelid

If you see any of these symptoms, take your cat to the vet immediately to get this checked. Your vet will run some tests and will prescribe antibiotics for you to give to your cat.

A Final Word

What does it mean when a cat winks at you? It's often a nonverbal way how your cat shows you some love and affection. But, as we have learned today, that's not always the case. Although it's not quite standard, winking can be a sign that your cat's eye is infected and is in need of serious medical attention. That said, it's a good idea to go over to your cat and take a look to see what all the winking's about.

I hope you found this article very helpful. If you did, why not share this article with other cat lovers over in social media. I'd really appreciate that.

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Debby Jackson
 

Hi there, I am Debby. I am your modern-day cat lady who is just utterly crazy about cats. I am always thirsty for new knowledge on how to keep my feline friends happy and healthy all the time.

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