Why Do Cats Squint? 4 Reasons Cats Narrow Their Eyes

It’s all in the eyes. When it comes to determining how your cat is feeling, look to the eyes. Dilated or constricted pupils, blinking, and squinting are all ways that cats communicate with their owners and other cats. For example, if a cat has constricted pupils, it is agitated or angry. This means you should watch out! If your cat has tiny pupils with big round eyes, it could indicate they are about to attack! Alternatively, cats’ pupils dilate when they are excited or surprised. But what does it mean when a cat narrows its eyes? Here are four reasons your cat squints.

1. The Cat is Feeling Emotional

Some say eyes are the windows to the soul, and for cats, they are certainly windows to their feelings! If a cat is feeling fearful or aggressive, it may narrow its eyes. In the case of fear and aggression, squinting the eyes can help protect them from injury during an imminent fight with another animal.

However, it’s not all bad when it comes to squinting. Cats will also narrow their eyes when they are excited or happy. A cat about to pounce on a toy may squint before it leaps into joyful play. They also squint to indicate they are content.

2. Something is Causing Pain

A cat’s eyes don’t just convey emotion but can also tell you when something is wrong. Cats are notoriously good at hiding pain, but their eyes can give them away. A squinting cat could have a medical problem, particularly if they only narrow one eye. If only one eye is squinting, it could be a sign of trauma. This could occur if the cat runs into something, gets scratched by another cat during a fight, or gets something stuck in its eye,

Squinting could also indicate an eye infection. Viral infections like herpesvirus make a cat’s eyes runny and sensitive. In the case of infection, common symptoms include redness, swelling, or discharge. A cat that is reluctant to open its eyes all the way could also be suffering from entropion. This condition occurs when the cat’s eyelids curve inwards, causing the eyelashes and skin to rub on the eye. Entropion can be very painful for cats as their eyes are scratched every time they blink.

3. The Light is Too Bright

Just like people, cats don’t like it when the lights are too bright. Their pupils are very sensitive and take a few seconds to constrict when lights come on suddenly. When a cat’s pupil is constricted, it will look like a line in the center of its eye. When it dilates, the pupil becomes round and can take up almost the entire eye. A bright light that comes on suddenly can be especially painful if the cat’s eyes were dilated to see better in the dark.

Sensitivity to light (known as photophobia) can also appear when a cat is sick or having eye problems, so cat owners should watch carefully to ensure the cat isn’t in pain beyond the shock of bright lights.

4. Your Cat Really, Really Likes You

An alert cat will have its eyes wide open, so that they can see clearly to monitor for potential threats, and also communicate to rivals that they see them. However, a relaxed cat doesn’t need to be on such high alert. If a cat is relaxed, it will feel comfortable with its eyes half closed or narrowed.

If your cat is squinting at you, it means that they are feeling comfortable, trusting, and affectionate. Congratulations, your squinting cat likes you! Think of the squint as a smile from your cat, telling you they are content and feel safe. The cat may also slowly blink at you. This is a huge sign of trust. After all, a cat won’t close its eyes if it feels threatened, because it doesn’t want to miss a thing. If a cat gives you a slow blink, give a slow blink back! Your cat will know you feel the love, too.

Summary of Why Cats Squint Their Eyes