Humans can mimic cats' language of blinking to let them know that they love and trust them. — Silvia Marks/dpa
Telling another person that you love them requires just three words. Telling your cat that you love them, however, is a different situation – and doesn't involve only petting and cuddling with them.
Cats never close their eyes in front of someone or something that could be dangerous to them – even big cats will blink at each other as a show of trust. So if pet owners want to show their kitty that they feel relaxed when they're together, they can mimic this behaviour, explains a German-language website for animal lovers.
Animal experts suggest performing the ritual in the following sequence: First look calmly and relaxedly into the cat's eyes. Then slowly close your eyes before quickly squinting at the cat.
Cats will understand this behaviour as a sign of love, and if owners are lucky, their pet will react with its own blink, say the experts.
Another way cats express affection is by rubbing itself on other kitties or people in order to distribute its personal pheromones and mark the person as a family member: The truest proof of a cat's love.
To reciprocate, you should first allow the cat to rub itself up against you, and then also give it lots of pets. If the cat is especially cuddly, you can lightly lean your head against the cat's.
It can be especially pleasant for certain cats, say the experts. – dpa
