All cat parents know that their adorable feline turns into a formidable predator when night comes. Frantic runs all over the house at 3 am are part of the habits of cats since they are real miniature hunters who excel especially at night hunting. So, it’s normal to think that cats prefer the dark and have amazing night vision, but is that really the case? The answer to this question comes in two parts: yes, cats love the dark, so you don’t need to leave the light on for them. But no, they don’t have superhero-like night vision. They need a minimum of light at night to orient themselves, but they are fond of dark places to doze and spy on their potential prey, even if that’s just your legs.
Let’s take a closer look at what science knows about cats’ love of darkness.
Why Do Cats Like the Dark?
Cats are crepuscular creatures, which means they are especially active at dusk and dawn. Therefore, they prefer to hunt when there is little light. This is also one of the reasons why cats sleep so much during the day and late at night. And what better than a dark place to hide and prepare for your next ambush?
But most importantly, cats prefer low light or dark places because the structure of their retina differs from that of humans.
How Do Cats See in the Dark?
If you’ve ever looked closely at a cat’s eyes, you’ve noticed that they look very different from your own. For one, cats’ pupils are just small slits most of the time. This is because, during the day, cats need to limit the amount of light that gets into their sensitive eyes. Once it starts to get dark, their pupils dilate and become very round, which makes them all the cuter.
Interestingly, what makes cats so adorable is also one of the many things that make them excellent night hunters. Cats’ dilated pupils, combined with curved corneas and a wide field of vision, explain why they can see well at night. In fact, a cat’s pupil can increase up to 300 times its size, while a human’s pupil increases only 15 times. Thus, cats see better in the dark than humans. On the other hand, the visual acuity of cats decreases when their pupils are dilated: they distinguish less the details of objects and therefore see less clearly.
Can Cats See Without Light?
No. Despite their mystical allure, cats, unfortunately, do not have supernatural abilities. Cats’ eyes work the same way as those of other mammals and need a certain level of light to function. However, cats see much better in low light conditions than humans, because they only need one-sixth of the ambient light that human eyes need.
So, while cats don’t have the owl’s spectacular night vision, they still have eyes designed to see well in the dark. They can also rely on their other heightened senses when their eyesight isn’t enough.
Should You Leave a Light On for Your Cat at Night?
You now know that even though cats like the dark, they can’t see in total darkness. Indeed, they need a minimum of light to be able to move at night. So, you’re probably wondering if you should leave a light on for your kitty at night: the answer is simply no.
If it’s because you’re afraid your furry friend will get lost in the dark, don’t worry. Residual light from windows and other parts of the house is usually enough for cats to see in the dark.
Besides, cats don’t just rely on their vision to get around in the dark. Indeed, like most night hunters, felines cannot always trust their eyes to orient themselves. Therefore, they must appeal to their other senses, which are extremely sensitive and allow them to create a complete picture of their nocturnal environment.
Here’s how cats’ other senses guide them in the dark:
- Smell. Cats have a very keen sense of smell, as they have about 14 times more olfactory receptors than humans. Thus, the smell helps cats locate tiny prey and find their way through pitch-black spaces.
- Hearing. The cone-shaped ears of the cat pick up a wide range of frequencies (from 48 Hz to 85 kHz) that escape human ears. They also detect quieter and more distant sounds. This ability to determine the source of sounds helps cats to track their prey, but it also allows them to imagine their surroundings when they cannot see well.
- Touch. Whiskers act like a cat’s radar system to help it judge distances. The whiskers on their face help them detect objects and prey around them.
In What Situation Should You Leave a Light On?
If your cat is particularly active at night (like most kittens, who haven’t yet adopted their human’s routine), you can leave a dim light on for safety reasons. This will prevent any untoward incidents, such as accidentally tripping or stepping on your cat in the middle of the night!
Top 4 Tips for Keeping Your Cat Safe at Night
Besides keeping a dim light at night for added safety, there are a few things you can do to keep your cat safe (and asleep!) at night, especially if he’s a new kitten:
1. Establish a Night Routine and Stick to It.
Cats are like little kids: they adapt better to fixed schedules. To teach your kitten to sleep at the right time, you need to follow a routine. If possible, go to bed at around the same time every night. This will help your cat get used to your routine and will be more likely to get up and go to bed with you.
2. Turn Off the Lights at a Specific Time.
When it gets dark, it tells cats it’s time to calm down and go to bed. However, remember that cats love to hunt at night, so just because it’s dark isn’t enough to keep them in bed all night!
3. Change Your Cat’s Feeding Schedule.
The time a cat eats has a big effect on its sleeping hours. Often, if a cat is particularly restless in the evening or early in the morning, it is simply that it is hungry. If you can change the times you feed your cat and the way you do it, you may have more peaceful nights.
4. Use a Calming Cat Spray or Diffuser.
These products are specially formulated to soothe anxious cats and reduce hyperactivity, which is especially helpful if your cat has a habit of running around at night. Try Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Calming Spray, which offers great value for money.
Final Thoughts
Cats are creatures well adapted to the dark, though their night vision isn’t as spectacular as that of Catwoman. The good news is that our feline friends can use their other senses to navigate in total darkness, so you don’t have to leave a nightlight near their litter box. In fact, you are the one who could benefit from dim lighting at night, especially if you’re craving a snack and your kitty is waiting for the perfect moment to attack your leg on the first step of the stairs!
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Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
