Cats have a reputation for being inscrutable, but a growing body of research suggests they are paying close attention to our faces and eyes. Scientists studying feline behavior say there is a surprisingly simple way to signal friendliness and even start a kind of “conversation” with a cat: a deliberate, relaxed slow blink. I want to unpack what that means in practice, how we know it works, and why this tiny movement seems to matter so much to an animal that evolved as an ancestrally solitary hunter.
From internet myth to tested communication signal
For years, cat owners traded the idea that narrowing your eyes and blinking slowly at a cat was the human equivalent of a smile, but it sat in the realm of anecdote. That changed when researchers designed controlled experiments to see whether cats really respond differently when people use this eye movement compared with a neutral stare. In one key project, scientists working with 21 cats in 14 homes found that animals were more likely to narrow their own eyes and blink back when a person used a slow, relaxed eye closure than when the person simply looked at them without changing expression, a pattern that was later echoed in shelter settings as well.
The same research group went on to show that cats were also more willing to approach an unfamiliar hand after seeing a person perform this eye narrowing sequence, suggesting the behavior is not just a reflex but a social cue that shapes how safe a cat feels. Their findings, published in a peer reviewed study on cat eye narrowing, helped move the slow blink from internet lore into the category of measurable interspecies communication.
What scientists actually mean by a “slow blink”
In everyday language, people talk about “slow blinking” as if it were a single motion, but the research definition is more precise. In the laboratory and in shelters, behaviorists describe a sequence that starts with a soft narrowing of the eyelids, followed by a prolonged closure, then a gentle reopening, all while the rest of the face stays relaxed. In the Simple Summary of one shelter study, this pattern is referred to as “Slow Blink Eye Closure,” and it is treated as a distinct social signal rather than just a sign of drowsiness.
When I look at the experimental protocols, what stands out is how carefully the teams controlled for other cues. Human experimenters were instructed to keep their bodies still, avoid vocalizing, and maintain a neutral mouth position so the only changing variable was the eye movement. That level of control allowed the authors to conclude that the cats were responding specifically to the slow blink sequence described in the shelter experiments, not to a general sense that the person was being friendly in other ways.
How the slow blink changes a cat’s behavior
Once the definition was nailed down, the next question was whether this subtle gesture actually changes what cats do. In home environments, researchers found that when people used the slow blink sequence, cats were more likely to respond with their own eye narrowing movements and to move closer afterward. A report on 21 cats in 14 different households describes how animals that saw a person perform the slow blink were more inclined to approach an outstretched hand than cats who had only been watched with a neutral gaze, a pattern that was highlighted in coverage of the science of the cat slow blink.
In shelters, where cats are often stressed and wary, the same pattern emerged. When unfamiliar humans used the slow blink sequence before extending a hand, cats were quicker to approach and sniff, which is a key first step in any new relationship. The authors of the shelter study argue that this suggests the slow blink functions as a signal of benign intent in both affiliative and more cautious contexts, a conclusion that aligns with the broader finding that domestic cats are surprisingly sensitive to human social cues despite their solitary ancestry.
Why eye narrowing matters to an ancestrally solitary species
On the surface, it might seem odd that a predator descended from solitary hunters would invest so much meaning in a tiny facial movement. Yet when I look at the ethology, it makes sense. In many mammals, prolonged eye contact can be threatening, while a softening of the gaze signals that no attack is coming. The work on Cats and slow blinking suggests that domestic felines have adapted this general mammalian rule to their relationships with humans, treating a relaxed eye closure as a low risk, high information way to check in with a much larger partner.
Researchers studying the role of eye narrowing in cat human communication argue that this behavior may have been favored during domestication because it allowed cats to coexist more peacefully with people who were watching them closely. In their Abstract, they frame slow blinking as one of several observable indicators of positive emotion that can help humans interpret the internal state of an ancestrally solitary species, which in turn may improve welfare in homes, shelters, and veterinary clinics.
The “cat smile” and what it might mean emotionally
One of the more evocative ideas to come out of this research is that the slow blink could be a kind of feline smile. When I read through the experimental descriptions, what stands out is that cats tend to use this eye narrowing when they are in relaxed, non defensive states, often during quiet social contact. A recent analysis of slow blinking in domestic cats describes it as a possible signal of benign intent and even labels it “a kind of cat smile,” while also noting that the exact emotional content is still being investigated in the study of slow blink eye closure.
Other researchers are more cautious, pointing out that the same eye narrowing can appear in both affiliative and submissive contexts, which complicates any simple translation. The shelter work on Slow Blink Eye Closure notes that while the behavior is associated with positive interactions, it may also function as a way for a cat to reduce perceived threat by signaling that it is not challenging the other party. In practice, that means I treat the slow blink less as a direct equivalent of a human grin and more as a flexible, low key peace offering that can support trust in different situations.
How to try the slow blink with your own cat
Translating laboratory protocols into everyday life is always a balancing act, but the basic steps for using this signal at home are straightforward. I start by making sure the cat has the option to move away, then I position myself at a comfortable distance and soften my gaze so I am not staring. From there, I slowly close my eyes, hold them shut for a second or two, and then open them again in a relaxed way, repeating the sequence a couple of times before pausing to see how the cat responds. Guidance for shelter staff describes a similar pattern, advising people to Approach a cat slowly, avoid looming, and let the animal decide whether to come closer.
If the cat narrows its own eyes, blinks back, or relaxes its body posture, that is a good sign the message has landed. At that point, I might extend a hand for the cat to sniff, mirroring the experimental setups where slow blinking preceded an outstretched hand. Reports on how to Build Rapport with your cat through slow blinking emphasize that the rest of your body language should stay neutral and non intrusive, since the eye signal works best when it is not competing with sudden movements or loud sounds.
Evidence that the trick works beyond cozy living rooms
One of the most striking aspects of the slow blink research is that it does not only apply to pampered pets on sofas. In shelters, where cats are often anxious and under social pressure, structured use of the slow blink has been linked to quicker approaches and more relaxed interactions with staff and potential adopters. A practical guide for shelter medicine professionals describes how using this technique can help rehome cats more efficiently by making first meetings less intimidating for animals that might otherwise hide or hiss.
Researchers and commentators have also pointed out that the same principle could ease stress in veterinary environments, where cats often feel trapped and scrutinized. A broader overview of this work notes that research has shown slow blinking can support a new understanding of interspecies interaction, especially in shelters and clinics where small improvements in communication can have outsized effects on welfare and adoption outcomes.
What recent studies add to the original findings
Since the first controlled experiments, newer work has tried to refine our understanding of who initiates slow blinking and how context shapes it. A recent report on Cats and human interaction emphasizes that felines are more likely to approach and engage with people who are receptive to their signals, which includes responding to a cat’s own slow blink with a matching gesture. That suggests the communication is not one way; instead, it is a small dialogue in which both partners can initiate and respond.
Another analysis framed the slow blink as part of a broader pattern in which cats adjust their behavior based on how humans act toward them. In that work, once a cat was settled and comfortable, experimenters used the eye narrowing sequence and observed that animals were more likely to move closer and interact, leading one researcher to describe the behavior as a promising tool for studying human communication with domestic animals more generally, not just with cats.
How to read your cat’s response and avoid miscommunication
Even with solid data behind it, the slow blink is not a magic spell, and context still matters. When I use it, I pay close attention to the rest of the cat’s body language: ears, tail, whiskers, and posture. If the animal’s ears are flattened, tail is lashing, or body is tense, a slow blink alone will not override that stress, and pushing for contact could backfire. The original work on Want to make friends with a cat underscores that the technique works best when the animal already feels at least somewhat safe.
It is also worth remembering that individual cats vary. Some may respond enthusiastically, narrowing their eyes and stepping closer, while others might simply look away or groom themselves, which can be a displacement behavior. Commentaries on how to use the slow blink at home suggest treating it as one tool among many, alongside respecting a cat’s preferred distance and routine. A practical overview framed as advice to people who want to bond with their cat notes that the technique seems to support a greater level of trust when it is used consistently and paired with predictable, gentle handling.
Why this tiny gesture resonates so strongly with cat owners
Part of the appeal of the slow blink is that it offers a concrete, research backed way to feel closer to an animal that often seems aloof. When I talk to cat owners about it, what they describe is not just a trick but a sense of being seen and acknowledged by their pets. That emotional weight is reflected in coverage that frames the finding as a simple method that lets people feel they are Finally Talking to cats, even though the underlying behavior is just a small change in how we use our eyes.
There is also a broader cultural shift at work. As more people come to see cats as full members of the family rather than semi wild mousers, interest in subtle communication cues has grown. Articles aimed at readers who Want
Where the research goes next
For all the enthusiasm, there are still open questions that researchers are trying to answer. One line of inquiry looks at whether slow blinking varies across breeds or individual temperaments, and whether early socialization with humans changes how readily cats use the signal. Another asks how this behavior fits into the larger tapestry of feline communication, which includes vocalizations, scent marking, and body posture. A detailed experimental report on eye narrowing movements in cat human interactions suggests that future work could compare slow blinking with other facial cues to see which combinations are most effective at reducing stress.
There is also interest in how people can be trained to use the signal more effectively. Some behaviorists are exploring whether short educational sessions for shelter volunteers and veterinary staff can measurably change outcomes for cats in their care. Early commentary on the original Study that confirmed cats from eight different households responded to human slow blinking has already inspired practical guides and workshops. As that work expands, the simple act of narrowing your eyes at a cat may become not just a charming trick but a standard part of how professionals and pet owners alike try to make life a little easier for the animals who share their homes.
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