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THDoes your cat make slow blinks? 🥰 But why do cats slow-blink? 👀 For years cat behaviorists and scientists have believed that the slow blink is a cat’s way to show affection and trust. The slow blink requires your cat’s eyes to be almost fully closed for longer periods, and by performing this behavior your cat is trusting that you will keep him safe while he’s vulnerable. It makes sense to assume that this behavior is a way for your cat to show you affection and to demonstrate her trust in you 🫶🏻
Now a scientific study confirmed that the slow blink is one of the methods cats use to communicate with their humans. The study observed that cats are more likely to slow blink back at their humans after their humans initiate a slow blink at them. When cats were introduced to researchers who performed the slow-blink experiment, the cats were more likely to slow-blink back if a human had initiated the blink. These cats were also likelier to be accepting when a researcher outstretched their hand, even though the cats didn’t previously know the researchers. So the slow blink is even a valuable communication tool 🐈💬
You can use the power of the slow blink to send your cat messages of comfort and trust. When your cat is relaxed, sit a few feet away and slow-blink your eyes closed before gradually reopening them. Repeat this several times, and focus on keeping your gaze soft and loving. Visualizing that your eyes are deeply tired can help. Watch to see how your cat responds. She might slow-blink back, or you might notice her gaze gets more relaxed — her eyes might even shut completely 💡
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