If you have ever observed your cat wandering around at night, you may have wondered: can cats see in the dark? Their eyes even appear to illuminate like small flashlights when caught in a ray of light. In this blog post, we will explore precisely how effectively our feline companions can see during the night. We will learn about what makes their vision unique, whether or not cats can see in complete darkness, and how their eyesight compares to ours. The answer is intriguing — cats possess remarkable nocturnal vision, although they do require at least a bit of light to see. Let’s shed some light on this fascinating question in a manner that is comprehensible for everyone, from children to adults. disposable dog diapers for female dogs

Why Do Cats See Better at Night? 

Cats are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk rather than in the absolute darkness of night; during these low-light periods of the day, cats thrive. Over millions of years, their eyes have developed specific features to aid them in hunting and navigating in low-visibility conditions. These characteristics provide cats with significantly superior nocturnal vision compared to humans. Here are the primary reasons why cats can see so remarkably when it is dark:

More Rod Cells for Night Vision

The retina at the back of the eye contains photoreceptors of two main types: rods and cones. Rods are effective in low light, detecting light and motion but not color. Cones perceive color and fine detail but require bright light. Cats have evolved to have a much higher number of rods and fewer cones in their eyes compared to humans. In fact, approximately 96% of the light-sensing cells in a cat’s eyes are rods (roughly 4% are cones), whereas human eyes consist of about 80% rods and 20% cones.

This significant rod concentration makes cats highly sensitive to dim light. Therefore, in a poorly lit room or under moonlight outdoors, a cat’s eyes pick up far more subtle light signals than our eyes do. Additionally, the elongated rods provide cats with enhanced peripheral vision and motion detection — valuable for spotting a scurrying mouse in near-darkness. The trade-off is that cats do not see colors as vividly as we do; however, in terms of seeing in the dark, these rod cells are a considerable advantage.
The Tapetum Lucidum: Nature’s Nocturnal Vision Enhancer

A feline’s eyes gleam brilliantly at night as a result of the tapetum lucidum — a reflective layer situated at the rear of the retina that redirects light back, providing cats a second opportunity to see in low-light environments.

Cats’ eyes possess a unique reflective structure known as the tapetum lucidum, located at the back of the retina. When light enters the eye, it passes through the retina where photoreceptors endeavor to absorb it. Any light that is not initially captured strikes the tapetum, which reflects the light back onto the retina for a second chance of absorption. This effectively doubles the likelihood for the rods to capture the light.