A human blinks about 15 times a minute. But how often do cats blink? It seems they don’t need to close their eyelids at all. Is that really the case?
Who will blink first — the cat or the human? Undoubtedly, the cat will win. Here’s why.
It’s unlikely that you will win a staring contest against a cat. These animals are natural predators, and their bodies are perfectly adapted for observing and catching prey. That’s why our pets and their larger relatives blink very rarely, so as not to 'miss' their food. Moreover, blinking occurs so quickly that the human eye can hardly notice the moment.
Even if the cat loses to you in a staring contest, you are unlikely to see it. The reason lies in the unique structure of the cat's eye. Unlike humans, these animals have a third eyelid or nictitating membrane. It is located in the corner of the eye closer to the nose and serves for blinking and moistening the mucous membrane. Thanks to this, a cat can blink without closing its eyelids, as humans do.
The use of the nictitating membrane is much more efficient, as it allows for quick blinking without getting distracted from observing prey or an enemy. By the way, in the event of an encounter with an enemy or another threat, cats often completely stop blinking, even with the help of the nictitating membrane. Their intense gaze and widely dilated pupils indicate readiness to attack.
However, sometimes cats do close their eyelids, squinting slightly. Studies show that this way, animals communicate both with each other and with humans. Squinting and blinking are also referred to as a 'cat kiss' — it’s a way for the pet to express its warm feelings towards the 'conversation partner.' If a cat shows such signs, the best response is to return the gesture with slow blinking.
