Are Cats Afraid Of The Dark (Answered)
Are cats afraid of the dark is exactly what we will be discussing in this post so keep reading with an open mind.
Cats are among the cutest creatures on the planet. They make fun, loving, and devoted friends.
Unfortunately, certain myths about cats’ powers can make owners fearful of their pets—and even convince them that their cats are terrified of everything!
So that you may understand the truth behind those adorable tiny faces, let’s examine some of these falsehoods.
Are Cats Afraid Of The Dark
Although most breed of cats don’t enjoy total darkness, most cats can see in dim light and the most of them are not terrified of the dark.
However, a stressful event like being caught, mistreated, persecuted, or hurt might induce them to associate the dark negatively.
Since their eyes are made to function effectively in darkness, the majority of kittens are not afraid of the dark.
Your cat may be terrified of the dark because it has had unpleasant encounters there in the past.
Some cats are frightened of the dark at night because it makes them think of a bad event in their lives, such being mistreated.
Let’s look at somethings you should know…
Cats hear better than people even in the dark
Cats are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are active at night.
This is because cats have a wider frequency hearing range than people do.
They have a hearing range of up to 8 kHz, or 16 times greater than human hearing.
Furthermore, due to the fact that cats’ eyesight isn’t as excellent at night as it is during the day (perhaps because of their wider pupils), cats hear well in the dark.
The same is true for dogs; despite having eyesight problems comparable to ours, they manage to function pretty well in dim light owing primarily to their keen sense of smell!
Cats can see in the dark more than humans
Cats’ eyes contain a unique membrane that reflects light.
Additionally, they have a third eyelid that might aid with night vision.
The reflecting coating on the back of your cat’s eye, known as the “tapetum lucidum,” aids in improving night vision and the capacity to detect movement in dimly lit areas.
Cats have extremely sensitive whiskers
Cats’ whiskers are incredibly delicate. They navigate by using their whiskers to sense air currents, vibrations, prey, and predators.
Additionally, cats utilize their whiskers to guide them through dimly lit areas like the attic or basement where they are unable to see clearly due to poor lighting.
Cats are on constant alert for danger in the dark
Being predators, cats are constantly looking out for threats.
They are constantly on the lookout for prey, so if you ever find yourself in a position where your cat is attempting to be courageous and confront something intimidating, keep in mind that he is just doing so to protect his family.
Although I’ve heard it before, it’s not true that this makes cats stupid.
When it comes to hunting and hiding from predators, a cat may be quite clever; this capacity is not at all constrained by IQ or anything like!
Cats are nocturnal
Cats prefer the night. When it’s colder and safer for them to be outside than during the day, they are more active at night.
Cats tend to sleep more frequently in the summer (particularly if they are indoor cats) and are less likely to be spotted outside of their homes.
Cats can sense changes in weather and pressure
Cats are quite good at smelling things. They are capable of spotting variations in the wind, pressure, and weather.
Cats benefit from having these senses during times of extreme weather, such as snowstorms and hurricanes.
Cats have a keen hearing sense that enables them to identify prey or danger by carefully listening to any sounds in their environment.
Cats can make the dark seem scary
Cats are particularly adept at seeing in the dark, which increases their propensity to fear it.
At night, cats can hear as well, which may help them feel more at ease in their surroundings.
They can feel movement around them or hear sounds that are inaudible to humans, which allows them to detect changes in pressure and the weather.
Read more: How to Get a Scared Cat Out Of Hidings: 6 Tricks That Works.
Why Your Cat is Scared of the Dark
The following are some of the most common reasons why your cat is scared of the dark:
- A traumatic experience as a kitten
- Fear of the dark learned from humans or other pets
- Fear of being alone in the dark
- Fear of the unknown
- Fear of loud noises in the dark
- Fear of things that move in the dark.
- Fear of the dark due to a medical condition
- Fear of being attacked by a predator
- Fear of the dark due to genetics
- Fear of the dark that is out of character for your cat
Read more: 12 Top Things That Scare Cats You Should Know & Avoid
Because cats are natural predators, they are constantly on the lookout for threats.
Humans cannot hear noises in the dark unless they are extremely close to them (like when you are sleeping next to your cat), but animals have an enhanced sense of hearing and can hear them.
Additionally, cats have great night vision—they can see much more clearly than us at night since neither light pollution nor street lights have as big of an impact on their eyes as they do on ours!
The basic line is that cats are extremely perceptive creatures who can feel changes in pressure and the weather.
These elements may give people the impression that something is wrong when it’s really simply the darkness doing its magic!
