Although we cannot speak “human” language with our pet, we are quite capable of understanding them if we carefully observe them and know the peculiarities of their gaze.
The cat looks straight ahead without blinking, and its pupils are narrow.
Strong emotions, whether anger, fear, surprise, or pleasure, cause a cat's pupils to constrict. Light also affects pupil size in cats.
If a cat stares straight ahead without blinking, and its pupils are constricted, it means it's heard or seen something—noise from neighbors, wind outside, the sound of an electrical appliance in the kitchen, or the rustling of a rodent under the floor are all common triggers for this behavior. It's too early to say the cat is afraid, as stressed animals blink frequently and show nervousness with their tails.
The most logical explanation for this gaze is fixation on something specific. If a cat acts this way while looking at you, it's possible you made a strange sound or found some movement of yours interesting. It's worth noting that cats with this expression sometimes beg for food, fixating on you—they hope you'll notice them. Furthermore, sometimes constricted pupils indicate a readiness to show aggression.
Looks straight ahead without blinking, pupils are wide
This potentially consequential state in a pet is characterized by extreme excitement, emotionality, and play-related emotions, or it may be fear. You've probably noticed that when playing with a kitten or young cat, when the playtime reaches its peak and the cat begins to unfurl its claws, its eyes turn completely black, beautifully reflecting the light.
Dilated pupils often indicate a cat is in a frenzy, and if your cat is looking at you like this, it's best to move your face away. They might just want to play, but you might not appreciate that. Dilated pupils are also common in cats during heat. Hormones and overall well-being influence a cat's gaze and behavior.
Depending on the situation, you might also suspect that your cat is showing impatience if you offer to throw it a toy or feed it. If the cat lies impassively in its place and everything is quiet around it, its wide-pupiled gaze directed at you clearly indicates a hidden fascination with some pet's pets in the house.
The cat blinks with both eyes
A cat's slow blinking signifies their affection and love for you. Blinking gives a cat a very pleasant feeling of peace and comfort. If you pet them at this time, they may extend their claws and start fiddling with their paws, which for cats signifies the highest degree of love, as only kittens and their mothers do this.
It's believed that at such moments, a cat identifies you with its mother cat. When a cat meets your gaze and slowly blinks, interpret it as a kiss. Experienced cat owners notice that cats calm down when we blink slowly and then squint in their presence. This is how cats understand that all is well and there's nothing to worry about or be afraid of.
The cat winks with one eye
Experienced cat owners claim that a cat devoted and affectionate to its owner cannot look them directly in the eye for long, so it blinks and then tries to look away. Scientists explain this by saying that cats are predators, and when they look at something or someone, they don't want to lose sight of a potential enemy or potential prey, so they always keep one eye open to ensure they don't miss anything.
It's a defense mechanism that helps wild animals survive. However, it's not as if a cat is experiencing wild instincts when looking at its familiar and beloved owners. With a loved one, a wink more likely signifies that the cat loves you and accepts your presence, signaling that all is well.
The cat squints
It's best to try to please a cat that's squinting or get out of its way. However, if the cat is simply lying quietly in a warm place, basking and relaxing in silence, then squinting is only a sign of pleasure. However, in situations where it's safe to say the cat isn't relaxing—for example, if we're talking to it and it squints at us—expect trouble. The cat is unhappy.
Depending on the breed's temperament, personality, and upbringing, your cat may simply forget the discomfort you caused it, but there's also a chance it might try to retaliate. It's worth noting that cats also squint when they're in pain. However, in some situations, cats are known to do this to hide their fear, keeping it from being obvious.
The cat doesn't look straight ahead, but looks sideways.
Hopefully, you're not interrupting her stealing warm cutlets from the table at this point. Just like in humans, such fleeting sideways glances in animals indicate unobtrusive peeking. If an animal is casting quick, brief sidelong glances at you, it's trying to see your reaction, to understand what you're doing, and how you're reacting to its behavior.
If your cat glances sideways at you while playing and has large pupils, it's just a playful gesture, expecting you to reciprocate. A sideways glance is simply curiosity, unless you've offended your pet the day before—it might just be remembering that offense as it looks at you.
