Can cats see in the dark?

Cats might have been domesticated approximately 9,000 years ago, but there’s still a lot we don’t know about our feline friends and how well they can see is still one of those mysteries. Since they’re most active at dawn and dusk (and the darker hours in between), people often wonder if their cats can see in the dark.

We’re here to help bust some myths and answer your questions about your feline friend’s amazing sight.

How do cats see in the dark?

Our feline friends are able to see better in the fading light than we can thanks to the their corneas and pupils, which are much larger than ours, and allow in more light.

However, although their sight is much more advanced than ours, cats are not able to see in complete darkness.

Are cats nocturnal?  

As the entire house starts to wind down ready for the looming bedtime, your cat is probably just waking up from their daytime slumber. While nocturnal animals are active at night (cats have the same almond-shaped pupils as these nighttime adventurers), our feline friends are actually crepuscular, which means they are most active at dawn and dusk.

Are cats scared of the dark?

Every cat is different, with some fearing nothing at all and others fearing everything, so, how do cats get on in the dark? Well, it all depends on whatever they might have experienced previously on their nighttime adventures, as this could impact their confidence while exploring in the evening darkness.

Crepuscular animals like cats tend to head out during the twilight hours as the fading light means they can still see, but it is dark enough to reduce the chances of them being seen by potential predators and their prey.

If your cat shows signs of anxiety, including dilated pupils, sweaty paws, crying and an increased heartbeat when it comes to the darker times of day, you might want to consider keeping a light on for them.

Other interesting facts about a cat’s eyesight

Here are some fun facts all about your feline’s eyes to finish:

• They can’t distinguish between reds and greens.
• They can detect objects moving at four millimetres per second.
• Cats have better peripheral vision than we do.
• Cats have three eyelids.

So, while our cat's eyes are not hugely different from our own, how they use them alongside their other senses means they stay safe as they explore the dusky hours of the day.