Psychologists from the University of Sussex (UK) have scientifically proven the validity of the hypothesis that the basic gesture of friendliness in domestic cats is squinting their eyes. What was previously considered only private conclusions of animal owners is now confirmed experimentally. This method is versatile and works even with stray cats.
For a cat, the expression of friendliness, openness to dialogue and a relaxed state boils down to slow blinking. She does not close her eyes completely and does not lose sight of the "interlocutor", but she does not rest her gaze on him either. This gesture, according to one version, is the opposite of the state of the cat before the attack, when it is completely focused on the victim and literally glares at it with an unblinking gaze of wide-open eyes.
In the first part of the experiment, the owners of several dozen cats were instructed to choose the moment when the animal would not be busy, sit at arm's length and start blinking. In almost all cases, the cats blinked in response, demonstrating a willingness to make contact. In the second part of the experiment, strangers interacted with cats. They stretched out their hands and tried to pet the animals, having blinked at them in some cases and without this gesture in others. And again a clear pattern appeared - cats were much more willing to accept affection if they saw a blinking person.
Based on the results of the study, an instruction was drawn up for veterinarians, for whom it is important to establish contact with cats due to their occupation. To do this, you need to cover, narrow your eyes while looking at the animal, and then blink slowly several times. If the cat responds with a similar gesture, you have made friends.