Why Does My Cat Stare at Me?

A poll conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Healthy Paws indicates that out of approximately 2,000 pet owners, 61 percent of the pet owners claim that if their pets could speak, it would be easier for them to explain their personal food preferences and about 58 percent of the pet owners believe that they could tell their owners if something is wrong.

However, the survey has also revealed that more than half of the pet owners are worried that if their pets speak, they will end up revealing their owners’ secrets! Won’t it be a magical world if our pets could speak? 

In this monotonous world, however, we aim to discern what our cats want to say to us by staring at us. Could there possibly be something on our faces aside from a warm smile after spotting our beloved pets?

The survey by Healthy Paws Indicates What Pet Owners Might Think About Speaking Pets

1. 78 percent of the pet owners out of the 2,000 believe that if pets were able to acquire the ability to speak, dogs would be the first ones to do so;
2. 60 percent of the pet owners out of the 2,000 believe that if pets were able to acquire the ability to speak, cats would be the first ones to do so;
3. The survey also indicates that 53 percent of pet owners believe that their pet could even have a distinct tone, accent, or pattern of speaking!

What is my Cat’s Body Language Like?

The known theories of psychology today state that body language forms a part of the most important non-verbal communication that helps another individual to determine what that individual is feeling on a subconscious or a conscious level.

The same theory also applies to cats, and as accustomed pet owners, most of us have already understood half of the non-verbal signs depicted by our cats. To determine why our cats are staring at us, studying their body language is an important examination. The following brief vastly discusses such communication:

My cat is staring at me while it’s snuggled up next to me

If your cat is snuggled up next to you, all cozy and staring at you while blinking slowly, it is just another way for your cat to express its happiness, love, and affection towards you as their loving owner.

In any case, if your cat’s body language is comparatively more relaxed and loose as it stares at you, it is safe to assume that it is simply happy to be in your presence.

Signs Your Cat is Showing You Affection

1. If your cat wants to show affection to you, it will stare at you while blinking slowly and snuggle up next to you.
2. When your cat wants to show affection to you, another way to make you feel loved is when your cat rubs and licks you as a loving pet owner and thanks you for taking care of it so dearly.
3. Another non-verbal technique that cats have picked up to scream “I love you” to you as a loving pet owner is when it headbutts you in combination with other signs of showing affection.

My cat is staring at me while swishing its tail, and pupils dilated.

If your cat is swishing its tail while its pupils are dilated, and ears are turned to the side, it is a clear sign of an upset feline friend. If your cat is staring at you while depicting these non-verbal cues, it might be trying to tell you that it is upset and needs some space.

As a worried pet owner, you may attempt to distract your cat and help defuse its tension by playing games with it, such as tossing a toy or small object across the room and telling your cat to chase it. 

My cat is staring at me while it is hiding under the couch

If your cat is staring at you while it is hiding under the couch, it might be trying to tell you that it is scared and wants you to comfort her.

Not only cats but a lot of our furry friends get spooked when they unusually hear a loud noise and staring at you, it may be trying to tell you to stay alert and steer clear of predators.

Oddly, although your cat is living with you in a comfy household, it still has not let go of its instincts as a naturally wild cat. 

Signs Your Cat is Scared and What To Do at This Stage

1. If your cat is spooked, it might be hiding under the sofa or behind another piece of furniture
2. If your cat is spooked, it may be communicating the same to its pet owner by staring at you with dilated pupils while crouching and its tail tucked under it.
3. When spooked, our feline friend is simply keeping an eye out for predators and staring at the person who is either the closest to it or moving around or the person who is making the loudest noise.
4. At this stage, as a worried pet owner, you may attempt to distract your cat by maintaining a good distance to not scare it further and play toss and catch or give it some of its favorite treats.

Understanding My Cat’s Body Language

Friendly

When your cat is feeling friendly, its eyes will be alert and blinking. You may expect it to stare at you with loving eyes and soft blinks while its ears are pointed forward. When your cat is feeling happy and satisfied, it will be holding its head up and fanning out its whiskers.

Fearful

Cats display unique body language when scared. They might appear calm, but they are trying to express their fear to their pet owners when they have dilated pupils and flattened ears, while its tail is tucked under their crouched bodies as it flattens their whiskers and press them against their faces. At this stage, make sure not to make sudden moves to further intimidate your cat.

Playful

When your cat is feeling playful and wants you to play along with it, it might be standing with its tail curled, rolling side-to-side, or might even have its belly up, looking for contact and play.

Every cat has a different personality, and each pet owner has a distinct method of playing with their furry friends. Make sure to choose an activity that you both would enjoy and find stress-relieving.

Relaxed

When your cat is relaxed, it may have its ear pointed forward and tail visible rather than tucked underneath it or curled. It may even have its whiskers slightly fanned out rather than pulled back against its face, depicting that it is happy and satisfied.

Negative

When your cat is displaying signs of negative body language, it is common for it to hiss or growl at something that it does not like. It may have it is back arched and the hair on its back and tail raised, while its pupils are dilated and ears flattened against its head.

At this stage, your cat may not be open to contact and may be telling its pet owner that it needs some space. 

Who is the Boss?

Cats have a naturally wild instinct as territorial creatures of Planet Earth. As wild cats, our furry friends have learned to identify predators in this selfish ecosystem, where one can only survive when they outwit the other.

Thus, our feline friends have developed a natural habit of staring to establish territorial dominance. When a human friend enters their personal space, such as their favorite spot, it is their method of telling them not to disturb their space. This is, sometimes, even communicated to pet owners with the help of ‘extended eye contact.’

The Readymade Checklist to Determine Why My Cat is Staring at Me

To determine why your cat may be staring, here is a readymade checklist to determine what mood your cat may be at.

Depending on the same, as a pet owner, you may either engage in an extra-special snuggle with your feline friend or help your cat distract themselves from their stress and distress by playing with them.

How does my Cat Get my Attention?

1. Staring at someone in the world of humans may be rude, but in the animal world, who knew it could convey different messages?
2. To get an owner’s attention, a cat may resort to non-verbal cues such as the following, through which their human friends may determine when they are calling them:
3. Sitting in front of their owners and staring at them is one of the most primal methods for a cat to get attention. By doing this, your cat may be telling you that they are hungry or want to play.
4. Watch out for your cat purring or meowing when staring does not do the job they intend to do, i.e., to grab your attention so you can identify what they need.

Why is my Cat Staring at me? – The Readymade Checklist

1. By staring at its pet owner, a cat may be trying to tell him/her that it is hungry and wants to be fed.
2. By staring at its pet owner, a cat may be trying to tell him/her that it loves them and wants to express its love and affection.
3. By staring at its pet owner, a cat may be trying to tell him/her that it is scared and distressed and wants its owner to comfort it or distract it.
4. By staring at its pet owner, a cat may be trying to tell him/her that it is frustrated and agitated and does not like something.
5. Staring at one’s pet owner is one of the most common methods for a cat to bond with its human friend.
6. Did you start dancing in the middle of a work break? Your cat may be staring at you because it is a naturally curious creature and wants to know why!
7. Your cat may even be staring at you to establish aggressiveness and territorial dominance as a naturally wild creature.

Conclusion 

Staring may mean several things, especially when it comes to our furry friends who cannot speak. Staring is one of their methods of letting their human friends know what they are thinking.

What those deep green, amber, blue, or multicolored eyes want to convey is something all their human friends want to discern. As it turns out, eye contact with a feline friend could mean several things, ranging from hunger, playtime, affection, or even dominance.

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