Cat cats smile?

coaster

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The corners of cats mouths are turned up, giving them a sort of a permanent "smile." However, yesterday when I was giving Tommy some intense scratchies, I swear I saw the corners of his mouth turn up a little bit higher in a real smile.

So, what do you think? Can cats really smile?
 

nebula11

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I have always wondered that as well.......

at different points I have sworn that all my kits have smiled at sometime......

it'll be interesting to see if they really can....
 

glentheman20

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Cats don't actually smile with their mouths, it just appears that way because of the structure of their faces. The closest thing to smiling is when they slowly blink at you.

I don't know exactly why this is, but it seems to have to do with trust. Cats think you are being aggressive if you stare directly at them, so it makes sense that when they close their eyes, they are saying "I don't consider you a threat, and I'm not trying to threaten you."
 

nebula11

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Originally Posted by glentheman20

Cats don't actually smile with their mouths, it just appears that way because of the structure of their faces. The closest thing to smiling is when they slowly blink at you.

I don't know exactly why this is, but it seems to have to do with trust. Cats think you are being aggressive if you stare directly at them, so it makes sense that when they close their eyes, they are saying "I don't consider you a threat, and I'm not trying to threaten you."
Thanx for the info...I new that blinking was a sign of contentment...but i did not know about it being a "non-threatening" action....very interesting.....thanx again..i love learning new stuff about cats....
 

stormy

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I don't know if they do indeed smile, but Francine sure knows how to frown!
 

miss mew

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I think some cats smile..some cats you can just take one look at their face and know if it's a happy day or stay outta the way day
 

cheylink

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I think cats definitely smile! Sweety with out a doubt smiles when she happy, but some cats might not have the ability to fully use their facial muscles in the way we relate to being a smile. Sure enough you can see it in their eyes when they are in complete exstacy, either from a good rub down, a treat, or just when you come home, they show it!
 

catkiki

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When Bonnie is on my lap being petted, I swear she is looking up at me smiling. She gets this adoring look on her face, eyes half shut.
 

StefanZ

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Originally Posted by glentheman20

I don't know exactly why this is, but it seems to have to do with trust. Cats think you are being aggressive if you stare directly at them, so it makes sense that when they close their eyes, they are saying "I don't consider you a threat, and I'm not trying to threaten you."
Yes, very useful if you want make friends with an unknown cat. Dont look at him, half close your eyes instead = friendly.
Or look a little aside = neutral friendly.

Your own domestic cat knows humans are funny people staring although being friendly - but to be sure - they try to make friends - closing their eyes - preciselely as glentheman says...

Good to know.
 

catnapt

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Originally Posted by Catkiki

When Bonnie is on my lap being petted, I swear she is looking up at me smiling. She gets this adoring look on her face, eyes half shut.
oh my grandkitty Sheldon gets that same look!! sometimes i swear he does not know i am not a cat and he is flirting with me!!



Nell will get a look of bliss on her face, too, but when she looks at me to tell me she loves me (well at least this is what i think she is saying) she slowly closes her eyes several times, and i do the same thing back- then she purrs up a storm and throws herself down on my neck.
me saying Nell i can't breeb, does not help any to get her off my neck!

i just try to pet her vigorously so that she is moved to a spot that does not close off my airway!

my old blind deaf boy Snoopy (gone a year now) ALWAYS looked like he was smiling


he was such a sweet boy. the only way you could tell if he was not feeling well was to look at the area around his eyes, he would furrow his brow if he was sick or wanted to be left alone.
but that smile never left his face.
with him, i think it was mostly his markings, not a real smile.
when he was very relaxed and content, his mouth would relax too, and look more like a grin.
 

borkya

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One of my cats has a buddha-like half smile. It makes her look wise!
 

sylorna

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My old cat definately smiled. Her face was straight most of the time but when snuggling she'd get this big grin across her face. And if she was particularly happy her whiskers would puff out and she'd get this sweet smell about her.
Chester always seems to be grinning, mind you, he's rarely unhappy regardless. There's a reason why I named him after the Cheshire cat afterall
 
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