Cats may seem to mind their own business most of the time when in fact, they’re very interested in us. If you have a cat, you’ve surely noticed your cat staring at you when you’re watching TV or maybe when you’re having dinner. If you’ve wondered “Why does my cat always stare at me?” then we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at some reasons why your cat stares at you and what you can do about it.
What Does It Mean When Your Cat Stares At You?
1. Your Cat Is Showing You Affection
Cats use their eyes to communicate more than you think, and it’s not always to show who’s boss. If your cat is relaxed and is just staring at you, it could just mean they like looking at you. If they give you slow blinks or look at you with their eyes half-closed, then your kitty is without a doubt telling you they love you.
Slow blinking, also known as giving “eye kisses” or “cat kisses” is how cats show each other affection, besides grooming each other. So if your cat does this to you, you know they’re happy, comfortable, and adore you.
2. Trying To Get Your Attention
You probably already know that cats often meow or bump into you to get your attention. But they also sometimes just stare at you until you give them something they want. If your cat stares at you close to their meal or playtime, then it’s likely that they want you to feed or play with them. They might also sit or stand beside something they want you to handle, such as when letting you know the litter box needs cleaning!
This is how Luna, one of our foster cats, stares at you when she wants a piece of what you’re eating
3. Just To Know What You’re Doing
Cats are curious creatures so if you find your cat staring at you for no apparent reason, it could just mean they want to know what you’re doing. Your cat’s eyes are highly evolved hunting and survival tools. They use it to track prey and detect threats in their environment. When they’re in the comfort of their own home, away from the outdoors, they can’t help but find excitement in following your movements instead.
That’s also why your cat stares at you even more or just straight-up follows you around when you’re up and about around the house. They’re just wondering if you’re going to do anything interesting!
4. It May Be Annoyed At Something
If one day you wonder “Why is my cat staring at me creepily?”, don’t worry, your kitty might just be annoyed at you or something else. If your cat is staring at you and swishing their tail from side to side, it may be a sign for you to stay away or stop bothering them, or they will be forced to do something about it.
If you were bothering your cat or if something else was; like the TV or loud noises from outside, it’s a good idea to keep your distance or remove the annoyance. Also, avoid staring back at your cat if you think they’re already annoyed; they might think you’re trying to pick a fight.
5. It Is Scared Of Something
If your cat is crouched down with their tail tucked in, it’s a sign that they’re afraid of something, be it a loud noise, visitors, or they’re just wary of being in a new environment. If they stare at you while doing that, they might be scared of you, for example, if you’ve just shouted at them. However, they could also just be trying to tell you that they’re scared and want your help.
Whatever the reason is, you’ll be able to identify it by being observant and getting to know your cat enough. Once you know why your cat is staring at you frightenedly, you can figure out how to comfort them. They might just need a comforting pet, a reassuring voice, some treats, or for you to close the windows when it’s thundering outside.
Image by Freepik
What To Do When Your Cat Stares At You
Whether your cat is staring at you without blinking or with their tail swishing, it’s important to understand the reason so you can know what to do. Staring is perfectly normal and is often a way for your kitty to communicate with you so you should never punish them for it, and that means don’t shout, hiss, or punish your cat when they stare at you.
Depending on the reason (if you can identify it), here’s what you can do when your cat stares at you:
- If it’s close to their mealtime, your cat might be staring at you because they’re hungry, so you might want to feed them.
- Give your cat some attention by petting, cuddling, or playing with them.
- Depending on the environment, something might be annoying or agitating them. If that’s the case, try to comfort your cat or remove the source of annoyance.
- If you’re eating something, they might be curious about it. Just let them smell your food. If you’re eating something your cat likes, then you might want to share a bit of it with them.
- Don’t stare back for too long as it might make your cat uncomfortable. Instead, try to figure out what they need.
- You can blink or blow some “eye kisses” if your cat seems to be staring at you affectionately or if they blinked at you too.
Figuring out why your cat stares at you takes a while but will get easier as you get to know your cat and their mannerisms better. By paying attention to your cat’s body language when they stare at you, you can better be able to tend to their needs and comfort them. Not to mention, you’ll be able to strengthen your bond with your kitty for a long and fulfilling relationship together.