Exploring the Mysteries of Cat Vision

can cats see in the dark
Konstantin Zaykov/Shutterstock.com

Written by Shaunice Lewis

Published: January 17, 2025

Share on:

Advertisement


It is a well-known fact that cats are known for their heightened senses—especially their vision. But just how good is it? Are they able to see clearly in the dark? Is it similar to night vision goggles? Read on to learn more about cats’ eyesight.

Cats Can See in the Dark

Cats have better vision in the dark than we humans do. This is because cats have more receptors in their eyes than humans do. These receptors are called rods, which are sensitive to light and help them see anywhere from six to eight times better than humans!

Their pupils are also able to expand wider, which helps to bring in more light. However, in scenarios where there is absolutely no light, cats are not able to see very well. There must be at least a small amount of light for cats to see in the dark.

So even though cats can see in the dark, they are not nocturnal creatures. Cats are instead crepuscular, which simply means that they are more active during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn.

They use their enhanced ability to see in the dark combined with their other heightened senses to navigate more easily in low-light settings. it’s also interesting that cats do not necessarily see better in the night than they do in the daytime. Cats do tend to be more active in the evening than in the daytime, though that doesn’t mean that they have better vision during those hours.

can cats see in the dark
The eyes of cats differ from those of humans in the number of rod receptors cats have. They have many rods, which explains why they can see at night but are not good at distinguishing colors.

Cats vs. Humans: Night Vision

The difference between a cat’s vision and a human’s vision lies in the retina. In the retina, you’ll find cells known as photoreceptors. There are two different types of these cells which are called rods and cones.

The job of the cones is to help see in the day and detect various shades of colors. The rods, on the other hand, help with night and peripheral vision (how well you see from the sides of your vision).

Cats have many of the rod receptors but not as many of the cone receptors. This combination explains why cats can see very well at night but are not good at detecting colors. For humans, it is the other way around. We are much better at seeing different colors but not so great at seeing things at night.

Another element that makes a cat’s vision at night different from a human’s is their tapetum lucidum—or the thin, reflective layer that resides along the back of their eyes. This layer bounces and magnifies light when they’re in dark settings. This explains why cats’ and dogs’ eyes might appear to shine in the dark.

Cats are Color Blind

Beautiful young bengal cat with green eyes.

Cats are red/green color blind which means that shades of red and green will appear grey to them.

Although cats may have great night vision, their eyesight isn’t perfect. Cats are known to be red/green color blind. Unlike humans, which have three different types of color receptors called cones, cats only have two different types and many fewer cones.

This means that shades of red and green will appear grey to them. Although they may have trouble seeing certain colors, cats are not completely color blind as some have been led to believe. Cats can see colors even if they are not as vivid and bright. Their color blindness is similar to that of a human’s color blindness, with some specific colors (red and green) being harder to process.

Cats are, however, much better at seeing shades of blue and yellow than red and green. They also rely heavily on the brightness of color when viewing the world. You may consider getting your cat a yellow pet toy or this blue and yellow play toy, as either of these will be more appealing and easier for your cat to see.

Cats can see Ultraviolet Wavelengths

can cats see in the dark

Cats can make out UV light because the lens in their eyes does not block it.

Ultraviolet light is completely invisible to humans. If you were in a room with only this kind of lamp, the room would still appear to be completely dark. Cats, however, can make out UV light because the lens in their eyes does not block it. Being able to see ultraviolet light helps cats pick up on fluorescent urine trails of camouflaged animals in the wild. This ability comes in handy for helping cats during hunting. And as we know, cats are extraordinary hunters.

Limited Sight Distance

Being able to see great in the dark also comes at a price for cats. They are not able to make out as many details in their surroundings as a human would. They also have a much shorter range of vision when it comes to distance. Humans can see from as far away as 100-200 feet. Cats are only able to see 20 feet away. This is a relatively short distance and classifies them as being mid-sighted.

This short distance is related to an absence of muscles needed to be able to change the shape of their eyes. For example, if you’ve ever placed a cat toy close to your cat’s face, you may have noticed that it began to sniff it. This behavior isn’t only their way of detecting the object’s scent but also determining what the object is because they’re having a hard time seeing it.

At close distances cats struggle to focus their eyes, so if you place a toy very close it will use its sensitive whiskers to detect it. An interesting note is that cats don’t have to blink to lubricate their eyes. So when a cat does blink, it can be taken as a sign of affection. This is because it feels safe enough to close its eyes in your presence—in other words, it is a sign of trust.

Field of Vision

Although cats cannot see as far as we do, their field of vision is much wider. This helps alert them to any danger that may be approaching from the side. Cats can see 200 degrees (30 degrees on either side) compared to the 180 degrees (20 degrees on each side) viewpoint of humans.


Share this post on:
About the Author

Shaunice Lewis

Freelance writer specializing in natural health and wellness.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?