Owning a cat is a lot easier than owning a dog. They’re independent, happy to be left at home, and would much rather curl up in their favourite hiding spot than spend a weekend in a cattery.
After a few bad boarding experiences, we realised our furry friend was happiest in his own space with someone stopping by to top up his food, scoop the litter box, and check he’s okay.
Yet as I was about to leave one day, I wondered: should I leave a light on for him?
How cats see the world
According to Dr Filipe Espinheira, LMV DACVO, Registered Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology for the Animal Referral Hospitals in NSW, cats don’t see the world the same way humans do.
“A person with normal vision is considered to have 20/20 vision, meaning they can see clearly at 20 feet (6 metres). Cats typically fall in the range of 20/100 to 20/200,” he explains.
In other words, while we can spot details from 100 or even 200 feet away (60 metres), a cat must be just 20 feet from the same object to see it clearly. By our standards, that would be considered legally blind.
Dr Espinheira adds that this does not disadvantage cats. “Where cats fall short in acuity, they excel in seeing under low-light conditions,” he says.
Cats have night vision superpowers
Cats are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk, when light levels are low. To support this behaviour, cats have large corneas and vertical pupils that allow them to adjust quickly to changing light conditions. Additionally, a relatively short distance between the lens and retina improves their ability to focus in dim light. Lastly, the tapetum lucidum, a reflective layer at the back of the eye, “acts like a mirror, bouncing incoming light back through the retina to stimulate the photoreceptor cells a second time.”
As a result, cats can see in light levels seven times dimmer than what we can see, making them true masters of the twilight.
Do cats get scared of the dark?
Dr Espinheira is clear: cats aren’t afraid of the dark. They’re built for it.
“Cats are mostly crepuscular, but they can also be active at nighttime, so darkness should not be a problem if the cat has normal vision,” he says.
Motion detection is also sharper for cats in dim conditions than it is for humans. This gives them an extra edge when navigating in the dark.
Should you leave a light on for your cat?
So, should cat owners leave the light on for their cats at night? According to Dr Espinheira, the answer depends on your cat’s routine and health.
- Routine matters most. “Light will affect the circadian cycle of a cat. Sticking with routine is probably ideal,” he says. “If a cat owner is used to leaving the lights on, continue doing so when going away; if not, leave them off as long as the cat has access to natural sources of light.”
- Healthy cats don’t need it. For cats with normal vision, there’s no need to leave a light on. In fact, Dr Espinheira warns, “Excessive light for an extended period may affect the cat’s wellbeing.”
- Senior or visually impaired cats may benefit from this. “I personally would not change the routine even when dealing with a senior cat. The exception would be if the animal is known to be visually impaired in dim light conditions, and that is a source of stress. In that case, I would consider always leaving a dim warm light on in at least one room where the cat likes to spend quiet time.”
Do cats prefer light or dark?
Cats feel most at home in gentle, natural light or the soft glow of dusk. A darkened room at night echoes the wild spaces their ancestors once roamed.
More important than light is environmental enrichment.
Dr Espinheira says, “Enrichment is of utmost importance to minimise the stress associated with living in a confined environment.”
That means ensuring your cat has access to fresh food and water, a clean litter box, safe and cosy spots to rest, and toys or play opportunities that mimic hunting behaviour.
What about when you’re not home?
If you’re leaving your cat overnight or for a weekend, Dr Espinheira advises keeping things consistent. Cats adapt well to darkness, so don’t worry about turning lights on unless your cat has special needs.
If it gives you peace of mind, you can leave a dim nightlight near the litter box or food bowls, but avoid leaving bright lights on continuously.
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