Do you ever wonder why your cat stares at you? It can be a bit disconcerting when your feline friend locks eyes with you for what seems like an eternity and launches a staring contest. But don’t worry – there is a perfectly rational explanation for this behavior! In this blog post, we will explore the science behind feline obsession and discuss some of the reasons that cats stare at their cat parents.
Have you ever been watching television and have gradually become aware that you’re being stared at? I look at my lovely black cat, make direct eye contact and say a few words. Sometimes he’ll come over for a pat, sometimes he’ll just do slow blinks, adjust his sitting position, with his tail tucked in, and he’ll purr loudly. Why does my cat stare at me?
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Cats In The Wild
Like humans, some of a cat’s behavior, attitudes and responses have developed over thousands of years.
A cat’s body is designed extremely well for providing for their family in the wild. In fact, female cats are better hunters than males because they have such a drive to keep their babies alive.
Cats are nocturnal, so their day starts when the sun goes down. The cat’s eye has more light capacity than in human eyes, which means they can see even in low light. Their eyes become dilated to let in as much light as possible.
When watching their prey, they have the ability to hold their gaze for as long as it takes so they don’t miss a thing.
Fast Forward To House Cats
Bringing us forward to the domesticated cat, watching their “prey” is no longer about hunting, it’s about gaining useful knowledge. They watch our body language, they sense our moods. Like dogs, they know our routines and are learning all the time.
It’s important to also look at their body language. If the cat’s tail is fluffed up, the ears are back, eyes are dilated and the whole body is tense and alert, this cat is staring because he’s scared.
It’s also a form of communication; they get our attention by staring!
Why Does My Cat Stare At Me When I Sleep?
Cats are nocturnal creatures, so it’s not unusual that they’re awake when you’re asleep. There’s a number of reasons for your cat’s stare being the first thing you see when you wake up.
Your cat might have appointed himself your protector, and he’s just keeping an eye on the place. You and your cat are part of the same family, and he wants to be near you, to look after you.
He could also be patiently waiting for you to wake up so he can have his breakfast. My cat has been known to wake me up a few minutes before the alarm goes off to tell me he’s very hungry and I need to move quickly. A cat may also be a great backup alarm if you forget to set yours!
Why Does My Cat Stare At Me And Purr?
Purring can mean a few different things, but if your cat is staring right into your eyes and purring, she’s showing you how much she loves and appreciates you. She’s a relaxed cat and she is showing cat affection. And all is right with the world.
Why Does My Cat Stare At Me And Meow?
Cats don’t meow amongst themselves. They sometimes hiss or howl, but they don’t meow. Cats have other ways of communicating with another cat.
When they became domesticated over 4,000 years ago, cats noticed that humans communicated with their voices. And being the smart and intuitive creatures that they are, they decided that was the way to talk to their human.
If you notice your cat staring at you and meowing, she’s trying to tell you something. This is the way cats communicate. Of course, feeding time springs to mind first. But if that’s not the case, what else could she be trying to tell you?
She might just be chatting, spending time with you, her favorite person in the whole world. Enjoy it.
Why Does My Cat Stare Out The Window?
Cats show great curiosity and they like to know what’s going on in the world, just like a lot of humans. The window is sometimes called the “Cat TV” and that’s where Kitty heads to after breakfast. After a wash, Kitty settles down to watch the world go by.
I have had cats that were experts on jumping up to the end of the window sill and then walking along behind the drapes to their favorite spot. Sometimes I could see the tail hanging down, or the silhouette, or the bulge in the drape, or I could even hear the purring. I love talking to my cat through the drapes and hearing them answer through their purr! It makes me laugh.
You might like to think about putting your cat tower or a window perch in the perfect spot for your cat to see the world.
Why Does My Cat Stare At The Door?
Cats are very intelligent creatures; normally they don’t do things without a reason. They could be waiting for your partner to arrive home from work, they could be waiting for the mailman or they might have secret business…
Why Does My Cat Stare At The Wall?
A cat’s senses are much more powerful than ours. They can see minute specks of floating dust, they can see dim waves of light that we can’t see. They don’t mind spending some time patiently watching a piece of dust gently make its way down to the floor.
Cats can also hear very well. They might hear muffled sounds of the house settling or there might be a rodent in the wall cavity. Or they might be able to smell the other side of the wall where another animal has been roaming around.
It’s not a sign of boredom if your kitty is staring at blank space on the wall. Chances are, if your cat is staring at the wall, he can see, hear or smell something we’re not aware of.
Some people think cats are more attuned to the supernatural than we are, and it’s possible they might be observing a visiting ghost. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised.
Years ago, my white cat jumped up on my bed just after I had got into it. He leaned his body and his neck as far out as he could from the edge of the bed in an attempt to look down the hallway. He held that pose for about half a minute, turned around to look at me and then resumed his staring at the hallway. I was sitting in bed wondering what on earth was coming down the hall. I sat there tensely waiting, not knowing whether I should get up or not.
His staring was over as quickly as it started. He turned around, walked over to his usual sleeping spot next to me and settled down to sleep. I chatted to him and asked him what he had seen, but he wouldn’t tell me. He just purred and went to sleep. I decided that since he was so relaxed, there was no reason for me not to go to sleep. But I’ve wondered about that in the time since. What could he see?
Some Wall Staring Considerations
As a cat owner, you’re always subconsciously monitoring your pet’s health. If your kitty’s constant wall gazing becomes a problem, you can’t distract her and her overall behavior is different, you should take her to visit the Vet. It’s rare, but this may be a symptom of a medical condition.
However, if your kitty (or dog) is pressing her head against the wall or leaning on it with her head for extended periods of time, take her to the Vet immediately. This behavior is called “head pressing” and is a symptom of some serious medical issues. The diagnosis may involve the brain, an inflammatory disease, or even metabolic problems. Treatment could be medication, surgery, or an observed and recorded change of diet.
Head pressing should not be confused with head butting, which is a completely different and totally normal affectionate behavior.
What Does It Mean When A Cat Stares At You?
After you’ve adopted a cat, you’ll know when your new cat has accepted you when she displays these behaviors. It’s thought that cats only stare at people they are fond of. Be joyful; you and your cat have a lovely life together to look forward to!
Should I Stare Back At My Cat?
Yes, you should definitely stare back at your cat when he is staring at you! Staring back lets your cat know that you are aware of him, which can make him feel more comfortable around you. By establishing this type of eye contact with your cat, you will be able to create a strong bond between the two of you.
A cat respects authority when it is clear who is the dominant member of the household. The cat will look to this person for guidance and leadership. If you are able to establish a strong bond with your cat, he will be more likely to respect your authority. This includes following your commands and listening to your advice.
By staring back at your cat, you are able to show him that you are the one in charge. This will help to create a trusting and respectful relationship between the two of you.
Conclusion
Well, now that we’ve gone through the reasons behind a cat’s staring, you can see why I always respond. When someone is saying they love you, you don’t ignore them, do you?
