Cats are well known for behaving in hilarious and baffling ways.While cat owners love the absurd habits of their beloved animals, they can be rather confusing to anyone who hasn’t been around cats for much of their lives. So, what does it mean if a cat winks at you?Let’s break down this fascinating cat behavior. First things first, if a cat winks at you, does it mean that it is going to try to scratch you? The answer is a straightforward no; it is totally the opposite! In fact, if a cat winks at you (or you are blessed with a slow blink), it means that the cat is showing you some affection.A slow blink or wink from a cat means that it feels safe and protected in the presence of either a human being or another cat. However, if your cat seems bothered and is rubbing its eye, it could be a sign that there is some debris or a seed in its eye that it wants to get rid of. As a cat owner, it is best to make sure that there is no discharge coming out of the winking eye. Although the idea of being shown affection may be amazing, there could also be an infection or allergy that your cat needs help with.If you enjoy this article about why do cats wink, why not also read about why do cats bring you dead animals and why do cats chase their tails.Do they actually wink?While cat owners and cat parents may find it funny that their cats are winking at them, such cat behavior could either be totally normal or a sign that you may not want to overlook.Let’s deal with the elephant in the room. Is your cat actually capable of winking at you? The answer is yes. Your feline friend has more tricks up its sleeve than you know of. The first thing to establish is that there is a difference between winking and blinking, and the terms mean the same for a feline as they do for human beings. The closing of one eyelid (winking) can have a number of causes in cats and could mean various things. While it could be a deliberate act from your cat, it may be as simple as your pet trying to get rid of some debris that has found its way into one eye.While it may be an amazing sight to watch your pet cat winking at you, it could just be caused by your pet’s third eyelid. Never heard of a third eyelid? You’re not alone. Most people are unaware that every cat has a third eyelid (and not just the regular eyelids that humans are used to hearing about), which is a membrane that starts at the inner corner of the eyes and runs diagonally. When a cat has debris or an unwanted substances lodged in its eyes, it winks. Another possible reason why your cat is winking is that cats sometimes have dry eyes, which cause this membrane to get stuck. It is not uncommon for an eye membrane to get stuck, and you definitely don’t need to be too worried by any winks that this causes. In most cases, this does not even require a visit to the veterinarian.However, while your cat is definitely capable of slowly winking on its own, it may also be forced to do so when it is suffering from an allergy or infection. Frequent blinking, squinting and winking are among the many symptoms of your cat having more serious problems than just wanting to communicate with you. Some cats also wink with one eye as a result of a traumatic injury. These injuries can result from unfortunate car accidents or fights with other cats. Whatever the reason may be, it is a good ideas to check with your vet if you think that these slow blinks or winks could be caused by something more serious.What does it mean when cats wink at each other?Each animal family has its own unique method that it uses to communicate with other family members. In the case of cats, eye movements play a rather hefty role. A slow blink or closing of the eyes shows the other cats that it is feeling safe, calm and relaxed.Cats also wink and blink at each other to say that there is no danger and that all is well. Therefore, winking and blinking are clearly not signs of a feud or fight that is about to erupt. However, when a cat maintains eye contact with another cat, you may expect a fight. Eye contact in cats can signify aggression. The next time you see two cats making unbreakable eye contact, make sure to look out for a cat fight moments later!On the other hand, if your pet is making eye contact with you instead of another cat, it might simply mean that you are doing something that it finds interesting. If you are worried that your cat’s interest in you is a cause for concern, you can always extend a finger to check if everything is alright between you and your beloved kitty!Unlike in humans, cat winking is not a playful act, and neither does it mean any harm. It is simply a way of communicating. Let’s be honest, if we had eyes as beautiful as cats, we would also want to communicate with them!Why do cats wink or blink slowly?Pet owners may be fascinated by cat winks and blinks, but they are often left baffled by what it could mean when a cat does either of the two.Seeing your cat wink may can be a sign of affection or a way to tell you that your presence makes it feel calm, relaxed and safe. As long as it is not accompanied with rubbing or any discharge from the eyes, pet owners should feel happy when their cat winks. Cats are often thought of as aloof and disinterested animals but small and adorable winks can be one of the most obvious tells that your cat feels a very strong attachment to you! However, it is also important to remember that winks are not the only signs of your cat’s love.Another very obvious and equally adorable thing that your cat could do is a slow blink. A cat’s slow blink is something that it uses both with other cats and with humans to show that their presence is welcome. This also shows trust and affection. In fact, such winking and blinking is often called a kitty kiss or a cat kiss to stress just how much affection these small gestures symbolize. Slow blinks in the presence of other cats can also be a sign that the cat does not sense any threat.Should you be worried about it?While it may seem that blinking and winking is normal, let’s not come to a conclusion just yet. If it is not just a slow eye blink or wink, or if one eye is rapidly closing and opening, you might want to consider getting advice from your nearest veterinary doctor.Cats are very vulnerable to many types of eye infection, which may be related to debris or other seeds that have found their way up into a cat’s eyes. If your cat is not blinking slowly and is instead rapidly opening and closing its eyes, or if there is red, white or yellow colored discharge coming out of its eyes, you should consider these as symptoms of an infection that your kitten may have developed, or some allergies that may have been triggered. Since cats are so active, they are among the most vulnerable animals when it comes to acquiring infections and allergies.If your cats eyelids just won’t stop blinking, there is a chance that your poor kitten may be in pain. Squinting is also one of the symptoms that you should keep an eye out for, since reading your cat’s behavior is definitely key to helping it live a long and healthy life. In addition to this, blinks and winks can also be caused by traumatic injuries such as car accidents or injuries acquired from a fight with a rival neighborhood cats. We have all seen a cat or two with an eye scratched up from a recent fight. While some people let these animals heal on their own, it is always better to get them checked for any eye infection so that necessary treatment can be given at the right time.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do cats wink then why not take a look at why do cats bury their poop, or are crickets good luck.
Cats are well known for behaving in hilarious and baffling ways.
