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Cats’ vision shares similarities and, at the same time, great differences with that of humans. This makes sense since kitties’ eyesight is finely tuned to help them function as crepuscular predators, while human visual abilities developed to allow us to see up close as well as scan the horizon for food and predators during daytime. Cats’ eyes, on the other hand, were developed to provide them with superior hunting skills.
Felines are unable to discern objects that are far away clearly; it is estimated that 20 feet (or 6 meters) is their sweet spot. They struggle to see things further away and also nearer than approximately 10 inches (or 25 centimeters). Most humans can clearly see objects anywhere from 100–200 feet (or 30–60 meters) in the distance. Read on for more information about cats’ visual abilities.
Why Can’t Cats See Clearly Up Close or Far Away?
Humans have eyes that can focus on both near and far objects. When we look at any object, we essentially perceive light. Those lightwaves pass through our corneas and our lenses, finally reaching our retinas.
The light passes through our ocular lenses before hitting our retinas, which then pass signals on to our brains through our optic nerves. Humans have special small muscles, called ciliary muscles, attached to our optic lenses. These muscles change the shape of our lenses, allowing us to focus and see clearly at different distances.
The process of changing focus from near to far or vice versa is called lens accommodation. Cats also have ciliary muscles, but they can’t support the range of lens motion you see in humans, limiting kitties’ ability to accommodate.
Why Do Cats Have a Reputation for Having Great Vision?
Because they do! Cats can see things we simply can’t in ways that humans could never come close to replicating. Cats’ eyes are adapted to have outstanding vision in low light conditions and to detect movement very accurately. They have tons of rod photoreceptors, or light-sensitive cells–approximately 5 times as many as humans–giving them fantastic night vision.
Most cats can see up to six times better than humans in dark conditions, which makes sense given that dusk and dawn, two lowlight periods, tend to be cats’ favorite times to hunt. Felines also have a structure we lack, the tapetum lucidum, which reflects and magnifies light like a mirror. It’s part of the reason cats have such incredible night vision.
They also have a wide visual field as it is estimated to be 200°. Humans have a slightly narrower field of vision of approximately 180 degrees. Cats are predators, and therefore they have front-facing eyes that enable them to have around 140 degrees of binocular vision, which is essential for depth perception.
Are Cats Able to See Colors?
Yes they are, but there’s a fair bit of debate on the issue. Retinal cone photoreceptors are responsible for color differentiation and daytime visual acuity. Humans have about a maximum of 7 times more retinal cones than cats, giving us the edge when it comes to seeing during the day and in color.
Cats are thought to have 3 different types of cones similarly to humans, whereas dogs have two types. However, color vision in cats is estimated to be less rich than in humans. Some researchers suggest kitties can see colors, just in muted tones, with the ability to differentiate between yellow, blue, and green.
So How Do Cats See Close Up?
Cats rely on their whiskers, also called vibrissae, to help them feel when interacting with things at close range. Cats’ whiskers are incredibly sensitive. Each side of a cat’s muzzle has a set of whiskers, some sources estimate them to be 12 on each side, with each one connected to multiple neurons, making them exquisitely sensitive. Cats also have whiskers above their eyes and on their chins!
Cats feel changes in airflow and motion through their whiskers; whiskers help cats sense when a mouse zips by right under their nose. They also help kitties determine spatial relationships and provide information about whether or not a space is too small to fit into.
And cats’ paws provide assistance in the up close “vision” department. Cat paws are full of sensitive nerve endings, allowing them to feel vibrations and subtle movements that we could not detect. Between cats’ whiskers and paws, they do just fine when “seeing” their prey up close.
Do Cats Ever Have Vision Problems?
Unfortunately yes, cats can be born with eye problems or develop those throughout their lifetime. Some cats are born blind or with an inherited disease that drastically limits their vision when they grow older. One of these conditions is called progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which causes blindness in almost all cases. Certain breeds such as Persians and Abyssinians are predisposed and testing for this condition is recommended.
Cats suffer from many of the same eye diseases as humans, including cataracts, uveitis, and ocular tumors, among others. Cats can also become blind as a result of uncontrolled high blood pressure or high intraocular pressure resulting in glaucoma. Of course, cats can also lose their eyesight after being injured in a catfight.
Kitties who are having trouble seeing often refuse to jump as they did in the past and tend to bump into things. Some have cloudy eyes, or the pupil(s) in the impacted eye(s) will remain permanently dilated or misshapen. Many cats that are blind will use walls to help guide them as they go about their day.
If you suspect your cat is having trouble seeing, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes need to be diagnosed and treated to ensure your buddy’s vision and general health don’t decline further. Early detection and treatment may help preserve some of your pet’s vision.
You can also consult a vet online if you need quick and easy access to an expert’s opinion.
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If your feline companion can’t see anymore due to age, disease, or injury, it’s not the end of the world. Most cats live happy, healthy lives after losing their vision, particularly kitties accustomed to living indoors.
Remember to supervise your cat’s outdoor adventures and keep things under control by building a catio for them or insisting that they wear a harness attached to a leash. Leave the furniture where it is if you can; your cat will be getting around on their own just fine sooner rather than later! But make sure to introduce your kitty to any new furniture layouts or toys. It will help them adjust, and they’ll love you even more than they already do!
Final Thoughts
Cats see well at a distance of about 20 feet. They also have excellent night vision and are skilled at picking up motion and determining speed, making them outstanding night hunters. Cats’ eyes are optimized for nabbing prey and are great at detecting quick movements. Cats also have wide fields of vision and can see amazingly well in the dark.
Featured Image Credit: M_Light, Shutterstock
