How cats see: in our eyes they are adorable but how is the world seen with their eyes?
Our felines always know how to surprise us but sometimes we realize we don't know everything about them. For example, there is a lot of talk about their sight but not everyone really knows how cats see! Get ready to find out by reading this article that will remove all doubts and then if you want to know everything about the mysterious world of felines, watch this video full of curiosities, tips and news!
How cats see: for one day we look at the world with their eyes
How many times have you happened to envy your cat, comfortably lying on the sofa, lazy or playful and carefree. But for once it's up to you to put yourself in the shoes of your feline cat and try to find an answer to the question How do cats see? The American artist Nickolay Lamm has tried and created a series of shots that compare the same scene seen with the eyes of a man and with the eyes of a cat. These corners of the world and contemporary glimpses made by Lamm have become a fabulous exhibition! There is also an Instagram filter capable of reproducing reality and your photos with the eyes of a cat giving you the sensation perceived by the feline gaze. All of Lamm's photographic research is based on scientific and certain data, in particular on a medical office of the ophthalmologists of the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Clinic who have conducted several studies on the vision of felines and also on other expert consultations in terms of animal vision and feline vision in particular. When a cat looks at something, it sees exactly with the outlines blurred and with some colors that are not very sharp and others more vivid, just like the photos that Lamm took.
By continuing to read this article you will be able to imagine how your cat sees the world and also how your cat sees you and the objects it interacts with. Specifically, you will discover the details in terms of field of view, peripheral vision, distance vision and night vision!
How cats see: field of vision and peripheral vision, distance vision and night vision
The visual field of cats is 200 degrees, which is essential to see their prey satisfactorily. The human field of vision is smaller and is 180 degrees. Also in terms of peripheral vision there are differences. Peripheral vision would be the ability to look at the limits of one's field of vision without having to move the head. This ability to see without turning in cats is 30 degrees on each side of the field of vision while in humans only 20 degrees per side. Compared to humans, cats focus on distant objects with more effort. A man also sees 60 meters away, while for cats the maximum distance for clear vision is six meters. At a distance greater than six meters, vision is more difficult, so we can say that cats see less well than humans from a distance and focus on distant objects with greater difficulty. If you are wondering how this difference between human eye and feline eye is possible, we have the answer you are looking for! The reason is because of the tapetum lucidum, the layer of cells behind the retina of some vertebrate animals, and even cats, which increases the light captured by the retina. Imagine how it was a mirror that reflects and increases vision at night but on the other hand reduces visual acuity during the day. Because of the shiny carpet the eyes of cats and dogs in the photos sparkle - for sure you have noticed! Speaking of night vision, as we have just said, it is very enhanced in cats.
A cat at night sees 6-8 times more than a human being not only because of the shiny carpet, as we have said, but also because of a greater number of rods. Rods are the photoreceptors in the retina and are responsible for the ability to see when there is little light and in dark conditions.
The pupils of the cat have an elliptical shape, and as you surely know they dilate a lot in the dark and can thin a lot in the presence of strong, intense or dazzling light. The pupils of cats behave just like the diaphragm of a camera and when it comes to night vision, nobody really beats them!
How cats see: let's dispel the myth that they are color blind
In the past, the theory had spread that cats were color blind and that the eyes of dogs and cats could not perceive any color but rather lived a life in black and white. Nothing more false! As for the vision of colors in felines, we can say with certainty that they distinguish blue, green, yellow and violet, but not red and not even orange and brown. Human eyes see colors in a clear and defined way: in cats the same thing does not happen because there is a lower concentration of cones (the photoreceptors responsible for the vision of different colors) inside the fovea (a "central area of the retina where visual acuity comes from). Unlike the eye" human, the cat's eye does not have the fovea but a central area of the retina where there are more rods: it is thanks to the rods that the feline is able to see moving objects and small prey better than a man. Human eyes, however, see better what moves slowly: something that moves slowly might appear to be stationary to a cat while we can clearly see that it actually moves slowly. The cat, but also the dog, has a greater ability to see movement: its eyes, just like the dog's eyes can easily see what moves. You will surely have noticed it by noting the quick reflexes that your four-legged friends show while you play with them together with a soft toy or a ball. In any case, to improve even more the eyesight of the cat and prevent problems in the eyes of felines, for example as a consequence of the cat's aging or other pathologies, there are specific foods. Even nutrition just like in man. helps ensure that your dog and cat have perfect eyesight!
See also: Names for female cats: the most beautiful for your kitten!
How cats see and how to tell if your cat no longer sees well due to illness or trauma
As we have seen, cats can also look in the dark: their night vision should always be perfect. But sometimes by observing your cat you can easily notice if something is wrong. To understand if a cat is blind or if it does not see correctly, observe if it bumps into something while walking. A blind cat is a disoriented cat, which moves slowly: as you read in this article, their peripheral vision is very wide as well as the visual field that stands out in front of their eyes, superior to that of humans. If your cat does not have good vision, it could have a disease, there are many typical cat eye diseases, some not at all serious, such as simple eye infections, others more serious that could lead to total blindness. It is then necessary to evaluate whether the problem concerns only one eye or on the contrary both eyes of your cat. In short, if the loss of vision is partial or total. Always contact your trusted veterinarian for your doubts regarding cat's eyes or any other problem of your feline or dog, who will be able to advise you not only on the most suitable therapy and treatment but also on the best behavior strategies to interact with. your cat. Even a blind cat, with a careful and caring owner, can have a normal and happy life. If your cat does not see well, avoid noises as they may frighten them. If vision loss is immediate for example due to trauma, contact a veterinarian who specializes in cat eye disorders immediately: some disorders can be successfully treated if you intervene promptly otherwise, wasting time you could make the loss of vision the treatment prescribed by the veterinarian is definitive and useless. Your cat's health is very important; taking care of the one you love in the right way is the first way to show love to your four-legged friend!
If you love animals for sure you will have asked yourself many things about them: animals are an important part of our life and of our daily life.Now you know how your cat can look at what is around and how they can look at all objects. cats: as always, knowledge makes you more united, so from now on you and your cat will be even more in tune!
