Cats have always been associated with a dark and intriguing aura of mystery. This particularly comes from their gazes and nocturnal habits. One of the most fascinating things about them is their ability to easily navigate through the night. 

This notion has been pondering the minds of pet owners and scientists alike. In this blog, we’ll talk about everything there is to know about the feline sight and find out if cats do have night vision. 

Can Cats See in the Dark?

Technically, cats can see in the dark, but it’s not a perfect night vision. While they can’t see in total darkness, they only need about one-sixth the light we humans need to see well.

Cats can see very well in the dark because of how specialized their eye structure is. The additional structures within their eye help them see more clearly in low-light conditions compared to other animals. 

Along with a cat’s sleep schedules, this contributes to their nocturnal personality. 

However, this does not mean that they see better at night compared to when the sun is up. Cats can see better during the day. A cat’s “night vision” is just a bonus.

How Can Cats See in the Dark?

To understand how cats can see in the dark, we must first take a look at their eye structure. A cat’s eyes are specially designed to function well in low-light conditions. This is because they have a broad anatomical structure, which includes: 

Tapetum Lucidum

The tapetum lucidum is the part of the cat’s eye that helps enhance their visual prowess. This layer of tissue works by reflecting the light coming through the retina. By doing so, the reflection provides light to the photoreceptors, which are the cells that detect light. 

This greatly enhances a cat’s vision, allowing it to see relatively well in areas where light is limited. The tapetum lucidum is also the reason why a cat’s eyes seem to glow in the dark. 

Large Cornea and Pupil

Cats have a relatively larger cornea and pupil compared to humans and other animals. The cornea is the transparent outer layer of the eye that covers the pupil, helping focus light. The pupil is the one responsible for letting light in. Since the cat’s corneas are larger, they allow more light to enter. 

The slit-shaped pupils also have a purpose, which is to control the amount of light that enters their eyes. Their eyes can dilate, helping absorb as much light as possible. The wider the pupils, the more light they can harness, allowing them to see better in the dark. 

Photoreceptors

Photoreceptors are the cells that detect light. These are located in the retina and are essential in coordinating with the brain to create a visual image through the use of light. They are mainly responsible for converting light into electrical signals, which the brain uses to create the images for the cat.  

There are two types of photoreceptors: rods and cones. 

Rods

Cats have a large number of rod cells. Rod cells are the photoreceptors that are highly sensitive to low levels of light. They are also responsible for sensing motion. Cats have a much higher concentration of rod cells, allowing them to sense light and motion more efficiently than humans. 

Cones

Cones are the second type of photoreceptors present in a cat’s eyes. In contrast with their rod cells, a cat’s cone cell count is relatively low. However, cone cells have a different role, which is to detect and distinguish color.

Cats are dichromatic, meaning they only have two types of cone cells. Because they have fewer cone cells, cats can only see limited colors. Even with vibrant colors, they can only confidently see muted yellow-to-blue colors and are unable to determine those for the red-to-orange color spectrum.

Can Cats See in Complete Darkness?

No, not really. While cats can see in the dark, they still need a small amount of ambient light to do so. So, while they can see well in low-light areas, they cannot see anything in complete darkness because no light is reflected into the tapetum lucidum.

The Wonders of a Cat’s Eyes

Cats can manage well in the night due to the structure of their eyes. With that said, they can easily choose to be awake during the day or the night, depending on how they please. A cat’s eye structure benefits them in more ways than one. Here are some of the few:

Improved Night Vision

Cats have improved vision at night because of the specialized structure of their eye. This helps them see better and track any object that would exhibit some form of motion. They would have an easier time finding their way around your house and would have a smaller chance of getting lost.

Nictitating Membrane

Cats have an inner eyelid. This third eyelid, or nictitating membrane, has a variety of benefits for cats. These eyelids protect the eyes from debris, spread moisture across the eyes, and help cats see better.