Most people are familiar with the idea of cats being scared of loud noises, but are cats afraid of the dark?
This may seem like a strange question to ask, because it is well known that cats have exceptional vision in the dark, but you may be surprised with the answer!
Are cats afraid of the dark? With thorough research, we have found the answer to this, as well as some tips, tricks, and answers to similar questions.
Are Cats Afraid Of The Dark?
Yes, cats can be afraid of the dark. Just like humans, fear such as being afraid of the dark is determined by a cats personality. This means that some cat will be afraid of the dark, and others will not.
Fear can result from a negative connection, such as being pursued, captured, beaten or injured while it’s dark. At night, a cat becomes frightened and confused by the sounds he or she hears around him or her.
The world appears chaotic to them, making them unsure of which way to flee. A cat may have been traumatized due to being mistreated by a person or even attacked by another animal in the house which is what is causing this behavior.
Signs That Your Cat Is Afraid Of The Dark?
How do you know that a cat is afraid of the dark? Here are the signs to look out for.
1. Crying Intensely
If you hear intense crying from your cat during the night, this is the sign that your cat is afraid of the dark.
The intensity of his or her cry indicates just how much fear he/she feels when in darkness, and it’s important to help him feel safe again.
This could be due to a past traumatic experience where he was harmed while it was dark, captured or beaten up by another housemate’s pet like a dog for instance.
2. Dilated Pupils
You can physically see when a cat is frightened because their pupils will expand to make their eyes appear bigger. This is a way of kitty making him or herself look more intimidating and help him/her feel safer in the presence of possible threats like strangers, dogs and unfamiliar environments.
If your cat’s pupils appear larger than usual at night time, it could mean he feels afraid when there isn’t much light around as this makes it harder for him to see what might harm him.
While you can’t do anything about his past experiences that may have caused such fear, if your pet does not normally behave aggressively towards other pets but has started showing such signs lately then something must be wrong psychologically with him.
3. Wet Paw Prints
Just as humans will sweat when faced with a stressful situation or fear, cats do exactly the same.
The reason for wet paw prints is because cats sweat through their paws, something which is why they often leave wet paw prints on your legs when you are laying down or relaxing.
If the cat’s sweat has an extra strong smell to it then this may also be a sign that there is something psychologically wrong with him and he needs some form of help from his owner to deal with such fear issues.
4. Elivated Heart Rate
The average heart rate of a cat is 120 to 140 beats per minute. This can jump up to 180 beats per minute when a cat feels scared or threatened.
5.Other Signs Of A Scared Cat
Here are some other signs of a scared cat:
- Freezes in place
- Running away
- Hiding
- Aggressive behaviour
- Refusing to use the litter box
Is It OK To Leave Cats In The Dark?
If you have a cat that is afraid of the dark, then it is best to not leave them alone, as this will cause stress and anxiety.
What To Do If Your Cat Is Afraid Of The Dark?
1.Night Lights
Although cats have excellent night vision, some kind of light source is still required to enable them to see.
The best option is to invest in a number of different night lights with built-in light sensors. for your home.
This means that your cat will feel more safe and secure in the dark if they have to navigate around during the night.
2.Hiding Places
You should provide a number of hiding places in the home. A budget way to do this is by putting cardboard boxes in various corners of your house or apartment.
Alternatively you can invest in some cat furniture that features some comfy hideouts for your cat to sleep in.
3. Feliway Pheromone Diffuser
As fear can trigger anxiety, Feliway pheromone diffusers are a great way to help your cat feel more relaxed. This is a synthetic analogue of the Feline Facial Pheromone that cats naturally produce to mark their territory as safe and secure.
Feliway has been proven to help reduce signs of stress in many animals, including dogs and humans! You should also consider Feliway Spray which can be used on your cat’s bedding and blankets.
4.A trip to the vets
It’s always best to seek the advice of a veterinarian, as there could be something wrong with your cats vision, or maybe even other health issues causing this behavior.
Common Questions
Can Cats See in the Dark?
Cats can see very well at night time because they have excellent low-light vision – especially when compared to humans. This means that cats will be able to see better than you even on a full moonless night with no other lights around them whatsoever!
However, if it gets too dark then their eyes cannot adjust and this may cause fear which results in aggression. As previously mentioned, cats need some kind of light to enable them to see.
Cats require significantly less light than humans and can see in low light. They only need one-sixth of the amount of illumination that humans do, which is adequate for seeing in dark conditions.
Do Cats Need A Light On At Night?
Cats only need a light on if they are afraid of the dark. A cat with this fear will feel stressed and anxious during the night without light.
We have three cats, and all three have been perfectly fine for years in the dark without a light on during the night.
Do Cats Prefer The Dark?
It is often thought that cats are nocturnal, but this is incorrect. Cats are naturally crepuscular, which means they are most active during the dawn and dusk hours.
Cats prefer to do their hunting in low-light conditions at twilight or darkness because it provides them with better cover for sneak attacks on prey.
This is known as “ambush predation” behavior. They also have superior night vision that allows them to pounce exactly when the time is right using heightened senses of hearing and smell.
Are Cats Afraid Of The Dark Conclusion
Conclusion paragraph: Cats, like humans, are afraid of the dark. If you notice that your cat is scared or has anxiety in a particular room or at night time, there could be many reasons for it.
For example, they might have just come home from the vet and feel vulnerable to attack by other animals.
The good news is that there are ways to help cats overcome these fears- one way being installing lights where needed.
With some patience and understanding (not only on behalf of the animal but also yourself), both you and your pet can enjoy an improved lifestyle together!
