When a cat stares at you without blinking, it is usually looking to communicate, express affection, or monitor your next move. Because cats blink much less frequently than humans, extended staring can mean several different things depending on their body language.
They want something: They may be telling you it is time for a meal, a treat, or attention.
They feel affectionate: If the stare is accompanied by a slow blink, it is the feline equivalent of a hug or an "I love you".
They are curious or alert: Cats are natural observers and may be trying to figure out what you are doing, or guarding you while on "duty".
They feel threatened: If the stare is intense and accompanied by a stiff body or pinned ears, the cat may feel uncomfortable or challenged.
Do not stare back: Prolonged eye contact can be interpreted by a cat as a challenge or a threat.
Slowly blink: Close and open your eyes slowly to show you mean no harm and feel safe.
Observe context: Look at their overall body language to determine what they want.
Do you have all that? Trust me when I tell you there is no way to figure out exactly what a cat wants. There's a statistic somewhere that dogs can understand around 250 words and commands, where cats can only recognize about 20, and they don't give a fuck about any of them.
I'm now on my 11th cat, and I have yet to figure any of them out. They are fun to watch sleeping all day or scratching the back of a chair to shit. It's also fun when they pounce on your chest at four in the morning. Or so my wife tells me...
