Why Cats Close Their Eyes While Eating or Drinking
Tanisha Kumari | Oct 28, 2025, 18:11 IST
closed eyes
( Image credit : Freepik )
Cats close their eyes while eating or drinking, a behavior that reflects emotional well-being, trust in their environment and physical relaxation. This habit may be instinctive, rooted in kittenhood or simply a reflex during chewing. While usually harmless, excessive eye-closing could indicate discomfort or eye-related health concerns.
Cats have a habit that many pet owners notice that is cats close their eyes while eating or drinking. It looks adorable but it also makes many people wonder why they do it.
Cats are very emotional animals. Every little action they do tells something about their mood or comfort. That small act can explain a lot about your cat’s bond with you and how relaxed it feels in its space.
Sign of Comfort and Trust for Cats
One of the main reasons cats close their eyes while eating or drinking is comfort. Cats are careful by nature. They only relax when they feel there is no danger around. When the cat closes their eyes, they are showing their trust to the surrounding. It feels safe enough to eat without watching for any trouble.
This sign of trust grows stronger when your cat eats near you. If the cat shuts their eyes while eating beside you then it shows they believes that their owner will protect them. This is why new cats may keep their eyes open in the beginning but start closing them later when they feel at home.
Cats that live in calm homes are more likely to show this kind of peaceful habit. The feeling of being loved and protected helps them enjoy their meals without fear.
A Way of Relaxation
Eating is a way of relaxing cats just as people are happy eating their favorite foods. When they close their eyes, it indicates that they are relaxed and enjoying the moment.
This calm habit is also seen in sleeping cats. Many cats close their eyes halfway even when they are not fully asleep. It is their way of relaxing their mind and body. When the food smells good or the water feels fresh, cats shut their eyes for a second to feel more pleasure.
If your cat does this during meals, it shows your cat feels emotionally healthy. It means there is little stress and its tummy and mind are at peace.
Reflex or Habit While Chewing
Sometimes closing the eyes is not a deep thought. It can just be a reflex. When cats chew or lap water with their tongues, some muscles in their face move naturally. These small movements may make the eyes close for a moment. This is totally normal and happens when cats eat something juicy or crunchy.
Some cats even pick up this as a habit from kittenhood. If they were relaxed while feeding from their mother, they might remember that safe feeling and repeat the same action while eating as adults. It is like muscle memory that stays for life.
Watching the cat eat with half-closed eyes can also mean the cat’s body feels completely balanced. It is moving, chewing and swallowing smoothly while showing a mild reflex.
While this habit is usually harmless, sometimes it might show a health issue. If the cat keeps its eyes closed tightly every time it eats or if one notices tears, swelling or blinking too many times then this could mean eye pain. Food smells or dust can also bother their eyes making them close them more.
A small eye infection or irritation can cause such problems. Early care can stop the issue and keep your cat comfortable again.
Sign of Love and Safety
When cats close their eyes while eating or drinking then it is usually a sign of peace, comfort and trust. It shows they feel safe in their home and are enjoying their meal. Sometimes it is just a reflex or a small habit from kittenhood, but it is pure relaxation. As long as your cat looks happy and healthy, those closed eyes are a sign that you are giving your furry friend a loving and safe space to enjoy its food.
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cats are very emotional animals. Every little action they do tells something about their mood or comfort. That small act can explain a lot about your cat’s bond with you and how relaxed it feels in its space.
Sign of Comfort and Trust for Cats
comfort
( Image credit : Freepik )
Cats that live in calm homes are more likely to show this kind of peaceful habit. The feeling of being loved and protected helps them enjoy their meals without fear.
A Way of Relaxation
relaxation
( Image credit : Freepik )
Eating is a way of relaxing cats just as people are happy eating their favorite foods. When they close their eyes, it indicates that they are relaxed and enjoying the moment.
This calm habit is also seen in sleeping cats. Many cats close their eyes halfway even when they are not fully asleep. It is their way of relaxing their mind and body. When the food smells good or the water feels fresh, cats shut their eyes for a second to feel more pleasure.
If your cat does this during meals, it shows your cat feels emotionally healthy. It means there is little stress and its tummy and mind are at peace.
Reflex or Habit While Chewing
Muscle memory
( Image credit : Freepik )
Sometimes closing the eyes is not a deep thought. It can just be a reflex. When cats chew or lap water with their tongues, some muscles in their face move naturally. These small movements may make the eyes close for a moment. This is totally normal and happens when cats eat something juicy or crunchy.
Some cats even pick up this as a habit from kittenhood. If they were relaxed while feeding from their mother, they might remember that safe feeling and repeat the same action while eating as adults. It is like muscle memory that stays for life.
Watching the cat eat with half-closed eyes can also mean the cat’s body feels completely balanced. It is moving, chewing and swallowing smoothly while showing a mild reflex.
When It Might Signal a Problem
A small eye infection or irritation can cause such problems. Early care can stop the issue and keep your cat comfortable again.
Sign of Love and Safety
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Do cats close their eyes to show affection?Slow blinking or eye closure is a feline gesture of affection and trust, seen during peaceful moments like eating or resting.
- Why do cats close their eyes when they drink water?When drinking, cats use their tongues to lap up liquid and by closing their eyes, they protect their sensitive eyes from any splashes
- How to tell when a cat is starving?One of the biggest signs a feline's feeling famished is when continuously meow.