Can Cats See in the Dark?

Ever wondered how our feline friends navigate the dark so effortlessly? Those all-too-familiar zoomies in the wee hours of the night may make it seem like our cats have perfect night vision. But did you know that cats aren’t actually nocturnal?

While nocturnal animals are active primarily at night, crepuscular animals such as cats are most active at twilight. So as crepuscular animals, how exactly do cats see in the dark? Do cats like the dark? In this article, we’ll be exploring all about feline night vision through our cat’s eyes.

Content:

1. Are Cats Scared of the Dark
2. How Well Can Cats See in the Dark
3. How Can Cats See in the Dark
4. Conclusion

Are Cats Scared of the Dark

Cats are naturally equipped to see well in low light. Because of this, adult cats rarely fear the dark. Kittens, on the other hand, may feel disoriented in the dark until their vision fully matures. But if your cat is already an adult and suddenly seems afraid at night, it’s likely due to a negative experience in the past or an underlying health issue.

In a Reddit discussion under r/CatAdvice, a Redditor noticed that her cat may be scared of the dark due to an accident that happened a few years back. One commenter said that it’s possible, and suggested that a night light may be enough to ease the cat’s anxiety during the night.

There are also conditions like progressive retinal atrophy, which causes gradual night blindness, and can impact a cat’s behavior long before obvious signs appear. Therefore, if you notice sudden changes in your cat’s eyesight, remember to consult a vet.

To monitor your cat and be able to detect any signs of issues down the line early on, a handy device like the Petcube Cam 360 can go a long way. Petcube Cam 360 has features such as sound and motion detection to help pet owners identify if something’s amiss. Not to mention, Petcube also offers online vet consultation services.

How Well Can Cats See in the Dark

Can cats see in the dark? And how well?

You might be wondering - do cats have night vision? The truth is, cats don’t thrive in total darkness. However, their eyes are perfectly designed for twilight. In fact, they need just about one‑sixth the light that humans do, experts say, thanks to three clever adaptations:

1. First, their pupils dilate in low light, allowing more light to enter the eye, but makes vision a bit blurrier. Their eyes can adjust up to 300 times more than ours, letting them see in a much wider range of light.
2. Second, their retinas are packed with rod cells: around six to eight times more than ours, giving them superior sensitivity to dim light and motion.
3. Third and most dazzling is the tapetum lucidum, a mirror-like layer behind the retina.

As Dr. Laura Proietto explains, "Because the tapetum reflects light, the information hits the cells of the retina twice… this is the yellow‑green reflection you see when a light shines in the cat’s eye", hence why cats eyes glow at night.

How Can Cats See in the Dark

According to Dr. Ron Ofri, DVM, cats don’t have full night vision, but they see incredibly well in low light. This is because cats have large corneas and pupils (50% bigger than ours) that allow more light to enter their eyes. While they’re not exactly nocturnal, they are crepuscular, wired to hunt at dawn and dusk when most animals are more active.

Ever wondered how cats see the world? Artist Nickolay Lamm’s images reveal their wider view, muted colors, and limited reds, showing a world far less vivid in color, but amazingly fine-tuned for a cat’s needs.

If you want to learn more about your cat’s vision, having a useful gadget such as the Petcube Cam can be your ally. With it, you can get to know more about your cat’s behavior or any issues down the line.

Conclusion

By understanding how our feline friends see the world (and the dark), we gain a deeper appreciation for their unique biology and behavior. While their night vision isn’t 100% perfect, it’s impressively adapted for low-light environments, making twilight their ideal time to explore, play, and hunt. Keep in mind that recognizing the difference between normal behavior and potential health concerns is important to ensuring our cat’s well-being. Indeed, seeing the world through our feline friend’s eyes is one step closer to understanding them better.