Researchers have discovered that cat owners can build a positive relationship with their pets by doing a ‘slow blink’. A ‘slow blink’ involves partially closing your eyes before shutting them completely for a couple of seconds. The researchers say this action is the cat equivalent of a human smile. It is something you can try yourself with your own cat at home, or with cats you meet in the street. It's a great way of enhancing the bond you have with cats, Professor Karen McComb, University of Sussex. Scientists in the UK conducted an experiment with 21 cats from 14 households. The cats’ owners sat three feet away from their pet and slow blinked at them. The researchers recorded how often the cats slow blinked back at their owners. They then recorded how often the cat did it while it was alone. It was found that a cat is far more likely to return the gesture to its owner than it is to do it randomly. Our findings could potentially be used to assess the welfare of cats in a variety of settings, including veterinary practices and shelters, Dr. Tasmin Humphrey, University of Sussex