Can cats see in the dark?

Cats’ eyes have evolved to help them move effortlessly through dim environments, particularly at dawn and dusk when they’re most active. But why is that can cats see so well in the dark? And what about when it’s pitch black? 

Remember, one of the best ways to look after your furry friend’s vision is making sure you have the right cat insurance in place.

How are cats’ eyes designed for night vision?

As natural hunters, cats rely on their eyes to detect movement in low-light conditions. A couple of things make cats eyes particularly good for seeing in the dark, including:

• Large cornea and lens: A cat’s cornea is curved and its lens is larger than a human’s, allowing more light to enter the eye. This helps them see better in the dark.
• Wide pupil dilation: Cats pupils can expand many times their normal size in dim light, capturing as much light as possible. This gives them an advantage over humans and even dogs.
• Tapetum lucidum: The tapetum lucidum is a reflective layer behind the retina that bounces light back through the eye, giving cats a second chance to process any available light. This is also why their eyes glow at night!

With these adaptations, a cat’s vision is fine-tuned to help them thrive in twilight hours. But while they can see in near-total darkness, what about when it’s pitch black?

Can cats see in complete darkness?

The short answer is no. Like humans, cats still need some light to be able to see. However, even with minimal light they can navigate far better than we can. A small amount of ambient light is enough for them to detect objects and movement. This is why cats can see their food bowls or litter boxes in the dark, and why they rarely bump into furniture, even in dim rooms.

How far can a cat see in the dark?

In low light conditions, it’s thought cats can see clearly up to about 6 metres (20 feet). Beyond this, their vision becomes less detailed. To make up for this they have excellent motion detection, which helps them track movement - even from a distance.

Can house cats see in the dark as well as wild cats?

Amazingly, most domestic cats can see in the dark just as well as well as their wild relatives. This is because all cats typically rely on similar eye structures to hunt in low light conditions. Some wild cats are particularly suited to hunting at night, such as leopards and tigers, while others, like cheetahs, mainly hunt in the day so their night vision is not so finely tuned. However, generally, both domestic and wild cats can see well at night and certainly much better than us humans.

Can cats see better in the dark than dogs?

Both cats and dogs have evolved to see well in low-light conditions. However, with their enhanced pupil dilation and a more efficient tapetum lucidum, cats tend to have the edge when it comes to seeing clearly in dim light.

Do cats' eyes ever struggle in the dark?

While cats have incredible night vision, their eyes aren’t perfect. Bright lights can be overwhelming as their pupils tend to take longer to adjust than ours. For example, you might notice your cat squinting or avoiding direct sunlight on a sunny day. Sudden changes in light too, like switching from a dark room to a bright one, can leave them momentarily dazzled. Also, some cats develop vision problems as they age, which can make navigating in the dark trickier. Conditions like cataracts or retinal disease can reduce their ability to see in low light. If your cat seems unsure at night or bumps into things, a vet visit is worth considering.

Keeping your cats’ eyes healthy

A cat’s vision is important for it to able to carry out its natural instincts to explore, feed and hunt during twilight hours. Regular eye check-ups are important, and cat insurance can help cover the cost of diagnosing and treating eye conditions before they become serious.

For more information, Agria has guides on some common eye issues to watch out for. For example, if your cat's eyes seem red, swollen, or watery, it could be a sign of eye inflammation—you can learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments in our guide. Meanwhile, scratches, infection, or even in-growing eye-lashes may also cause issues like corneal ulcers – read more about this here.

FAQs about cats and night vision