Do cats blink their eyes?

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Jack Crane - 01 Feb 2007 19:09 GMT

I've never seen my 7-year-old mackerel tabby blink her eyes, except very
slowly--which I understand means something like, "I like you". Is this lack
of rapid blinking the rule for cats? And if so, why?

Thanks,

Jack

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buglady - 03 Feb 2007 13:57 GMT

> I've never seen my 7-year-old mackerel tabby blink her eyes, except very
> slowly--which I understand means something like, "I like you". Is this lack
> of rapid blinking the rule for cats? And if so, why?

.....dogs don't blink much either if you stare at them! Yes, they blink.
Try watching your cat with your peripheral vision. They also have an extra
structure called the third eyelid (nictitating membrane).
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=17&cat=1831&articleid=1596
The nictitating membrane is clear and affords the eye extra protection,
still allowing the animal to see through it.

.........You might find this blurb on cat communication interesting!
http://www.messybeast.com/cat_talk2.htm

buglady
take out the dog before replying

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Jack Crane - 07 Feb 2007 12:42 GMT

>> I've never seen my 7-year-old mackerel tabby blink her eyes, except
>> very slowly--which I understand means something like, "I like you".
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> .....dogs don't blink much either if you stare at them! Yes, they
> blink. Try watching your cat with your peripheral vision.

I couldn't do than well, but I've tried watching her when she wasn't
looking at me but, for example, out the window. I did see her blink, but
only once. That was during a TV commercial when she heard a sudden and
new noise and turned toward the TV screen (I assume the noise was new--it
was a first for me as well).

> They also
> have an extra structure called the third eyelid (nictitating
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> .........You might find this blurb on cat communication interesting!
> http://www.messybeast.com/cat_talk2.htm

At this stage of the Internet, you'd think there'd be some audio files of
the various cat vocalizations. I find this kind of info of little use:

Adult cats:

* mew - plea for attention
* mew (soundless) - a very polite plea for attention (this is Paul
Gallico's "Silent Miaow" which is probably a sound pitched too high for
human ears)
* meow - emphatic plea for attention
* MEOW! - a command!
* mee-o-ow (with falling cadence) - protest or whine
* MEE-o-ow (shrill whine) - stronger protest
* MYUP! (short, sharp, single note) - righteous indignation
* MEOW! Meow! (repeated) - panicky call for help
* mier-r-r-ow (chirrup with liting cadence) - friendly greeting

Jack

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Pet Forum / Miscellaneous / Animal Health / February 2007

Do cats blink their eyes?