Some cats don't like any eye contact at all, while others don't mind it, even from strangers. I'd guess that where your cat falls on this line is pretty common: She has learned to accept and return affection by sharing glances with you, but considers such efforts by strangers to be an invasion of her “personal space.”
In the animal world, direct eye contact or a hard or prolonged stare is usually perceived as a threat or challenge to the recipient of that stare. If two cats were to exhibit neutral or even friendly behavior toward each other, they would typically avoid making direct eye contact.
To cats, a direct stare paired with other aggressive body language can sometimes seem like a challenge to them. This is why cats avert their gaze to show you that they trust you and know you aren't a threat to them.
Eye contact which we view as friendly our furry companions view as “asssertive or threatening”. The direct eye contact intimidates your cat which can make him uncomfortable. Eye contact and eye movement are ways of communication for cats. Staring and blinking even help cats claim their territory.
Your cat just really loves you. Fixed eye contact and regular slow blinking is a sign of affection in cats. So, look straight back, indulge in some slow blinks and enjoy an affectionate moment with your feline friend.
Squinted or half-closed eyes are a sign of affection, relaxation and trust. If a cat looks like they're about to fall asleep, they're relaxed and they trust you.
Cats dislike it when a human puts their face near them, because they see it as a threat. If you have ever watched cats fight, they normally begin by attempting to intimidate the other by appearing large and confident, often making ugly, long meows and hissing in the other cat's face.
Direct eye contact
Cats can find direct eye contact quite threatening. They wouldn't look another cat straight in the face unless they were fixing for a fight. When your cat's relaxed, they might look at you with a peaceful gaze or half closed eyes.
The most important thing to remember is not to stare at your cat. They can see this as a threat which can be scary for them and won't respond in a friendly way! If your cat is telling you (through their body language) that they feel comfortable and relaxed around you, you can tell them the same.
Your Cat Stares at You to Show Affection
And when a loving stare is coupled with cat "eye kisses," which is when a cat stares with half-closed eyelids and offers a few slow blinks, it means your kitty is showing some serious adoration for you.
Slow-blinking isn't just for cats: You can show love and affection by slow-blinking back. According to the study, cats are more likely to approach an unfamiliar person who slow-blinks at them than someone who keeps a neutral face.
They get up close. Cats are very protective of their personal space and don't like unwelcome guests to invade it. If a cat allows you to get close to them, that suggests a close bond, particularly where the contact is frequent or long lasting. Curling up on your lap for a nap is a sign of deep trust.
Lastly, but no less important, ignoring a cat can build frustration if the cat doesn't know any other way to behave or has been rewarded for their behavior in the past. Frustration can lead to an increase in the behavior and may also cause lower tolerance and a higher risk of aggression.
Hissing, growling, biting, slashing, or digging their nails into your skin are fairly clear indications that a cat is not happy with you. Of course, some cats do play a little rough, and most cats will give a love bite now and then, but if your cat bites you hard enough to break the skin, that is one pissed-off cat.
A happy cat
Cat is standing, has a relaxed body posture, ears are in a natural position, tail is held upright with the tip of the tail curved, eyes are normal shape, mouth is closed.
Cats cannot differentiate between human faces and do not care how you look like. Unlike dogs, they would not even try to differentiate human faces. In an experiment conducted by an American university, the kitties could recognize their handlers less than 50 percent of the time.
Cat owners are often encouraged to slowly blink or wink their eyes (e.g. sleepy eyes) when directly looking toward their cats. This sends a message that you are not a threat and they should not be alarmed. However, cats always prefer their owners using their peripheral vision to look at them rather than a direct gaze.
As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
For many cats, being picked up and lifted off the ground creates stress. If the cat is fearful or not used to being picked up, it can potentially create a situation in which someone may get scratched or bitten.
"Being held or stroked for too long can be very stressful for some cats," said Nicky Trevorrow, behavior manager at Cats Protection. "Space and peace is often what they need.
Texture: Sticky paper, aluminum foil, heavy plastic or a plastic carpet runner (knubby side up) can be placed in areas you want to be off limits. Cats hate walking on these surfaces.
To summarise, cats don't think about their day or how they feel. But they do think about previous situations they have encountered. For example, when your cat is chilling out, it's not thinking about anything in particular.