Crazy Behavior change after doing "blinkies"

In a post not too long ago, someone asked "Do you do Blinkies with your cat?" I responed no to this. I had never really heard of doing "blinkies" So i thought, "Well.. this might be fun to try for a bit" so I started doing it. At first elliot wouldnt look at me, even with me slow blinking, and then he would just stare. Eventually he even initiated blinkies with a wink. The strange thing though, was I noticed an increase in things like headbutting, attention wanting, purring etc. Sometimes when Im at the computer he will sit on the computer box thing and headbutt my arm, well now he does it constantly. Another two days of doing the blinkies, and for the first time ever in his life, he came onto my bed. Now he isnt really THAT antisocial, its just that I have a waterbed, and he has always been afraid of water beds. It surprised me so much that he walked onto the bed, and came over to me for pettings. Then, strangely, he started "loving" the giant bear that I use as a pillow that is on my bed. He hasnt done this in over a year. He only does it when I am in bed, causing me to not be able to sleep, because of his bear loving. I can just shove him off though... heh.. It is just so strange, that after a week of starting the "blinkies" with elliot, he is more loving than he has ever been before. I just wanted to thank whoever made that post. Its a nice thing to have a cat that would never come in your lap, suddenly tap you on the shoulder, jump up in yoru lap and sleep on you. I reccommend that if anyone has cats that arent really all that lovey, you do blinkies with them. I am totally amazed at how much more love elliot has been giving me the past couple of days. I actually thought he might be sick at first, but nope.. It is just insane the transformation he has made socially wise with just a week of this.

Isn't it sweet? Cats really appreciate it when you speak a little of their language.

I am going to be more aware of blinking. I like this subject.

I blink with Dax - its really cute when she is all bundled with her limbs under her and she is blinking back - Dan calls her lil Buddha... she looks so content.

A direct stare-down on a cat is an invitation to war. Blinking your eyes several times slowly minimizes the threat and allows the cat to visibly relax with you.

Originally Posted by hissy

A direct stare-down on a cat is an invitation to war.

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On a sidebar to that...maybe you folks have noticed that when you look at your cat or get close to your cat's face, they look away. They don't want a confrontation with you. You can do your part, not only with the blinkies, but just not looking the cat in the eye for too long. Shift your gaze to the side. When you peek back, you'll often find the cat looking at you, then as soon as she sees your glance looks away again!!

There's a lot cats say with their eyes....

Cats in colonies eye blink as a form of acceptance and recognition. I use blinkies with my ferals all the time and sometimes with my tame indoor cats. It's always an exciting moment when a feral will eye blink back at you for the first time.

I can see how Elliot would become more affectionate - you are telling him that he is part of your "colony". Thanks for sharing!!

I'll have to try this!! shadow isnt very cuddley at all with anyone and finnegan is lovey but he wont look anyone in the face unless you're rubbing his belly??

Careful! If you are your cat's opposite sex, a slow blinkie means you want to mate!!!

LOL oops i already tried it with Fin tonight! He wouldnt look at me.. does taht mean Im not mateable haha

You've bonded more. Eyes are the window to the soul. I thought you were going to say something like, he was defensive after staring, because I read somewhere that we're not supposed to stare directly in the eyes of a cat because it threatens them?

I play peek a boo with Nunny. I hide just out of his vision and he meows and peeks around at me.

lol we do that with shadow.. Finnegan just cheats though and runs around whatever your peeking around.... haha

Originally Posted by yayi

Careful! If you are your cat's opposite sex, a slow blinkie means you want to mate!!!

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by yayi

Careful! If you are your cat's opposite sex, a slow blinkie means you want to mate!!!

Click to expand...

That's why..... opps!





hehehe only j/k I am so wary of blinking / staring at Guin. When he was a baby - he used to try and mate my leg! I wasn't even giving him the come on! lol