Scientists devise simple trick for communicating with cats

Researchers have found a surprisingly simple method for improving communication with cats: the slow blink. This gentle gesture, often described as a "cat smile," can foster trust and encourage feline interaction, according to studies published in scientific journals. Cats typically communicate contentment and relaxation through a slow blink, a behavior where they narrow their eyes and then slowly close and open them. This differs from a human smile, which involves baring teeth. Scientists observed that when humans mimic this slow blink, cats are significantly more likely to approach them and engage in interaction, regardless of whether they know the person. Karen McComb, a psychologist at the University of Sussex who studies animal behavior, stated that this finding is exciting because it provides scientific evidence for a communication method many cat owners have long suspected. "As someone who studies animal behavior, and is also a cat owner, it's great to be able to show that cats and humans can communicate in this way," she said. Two experiments were conducted to test this hypothesis. In the first, cat owners slowly blinked at their cats, and cameras recorded the interactions. The results showed that cats reciprocated the slow blink much more frequently after their owners initiated it. The second experiment involved researchers who had no prior contact with the cats. When these researchers used the slow blink and extended a hand, the cats not only blinked back more often but also approached the hand more readily. McComb suggests that this technique is a valuable tool for strengthening the bond with cats. "This study is the first to experimentally investigate the role of the slow blink in cat-human communication," she explained. "It's something you can try with your own cat at home or with cats you meet on the street."

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As someone who studies animal behavior, and is also a cat owner, it's great to be able to show that cats and humans can communicate in this way.