When you look at your "cat master" at home, have you ever wondered what image you are in those mysterious shining eyes? Are you a tall fellow species? Or a moving "food machine"? The world through a cat’s eyes is vastly different from the colorful world we humans see.

Generally speaking, cats see humans more like a blurry, bluish-green moving "big guy." They rely more on sound and smell to recognize you rather than clear facial features. Although they may not value visual details and colors as much as we humans do, their eyes’ power at night is far beyond human reach.

Unveiling the cats’ "high-definition" night vision: Why they are masters of hunting in the dark?

The reason cats can move freely at night and even accurately catch tiny flying insects in the dark is mainly due to the unique structure of their eyes. Compared to humans, cats’ retinas contain an astonishing number of rod cells. Rod cells are very sensitive to light, acting like a "night vision camera" inside a cat’s eyes, able to capture outlines and movements even in extremely dim light.

Besides having many rod cells, cats’ eyes also have a secret weapon—the Tapetum Lucidum behind the retina. This layer works like a "reflective mirror," reflecting the light that passes through the retina but isn't absorbed back, giving the light a second chance to stimulate the rod cells. Imagine, the same faint light being "used" twice in a cat's eyes; can their night vision not be strong? This is also why cat eyes seem to "glow" in the dark—not because they emit light themselves, but because they reflect external dim light.

Cat pupils are also remarkable; they can quickly adjust pupil size according to light intensity. In bright light, the pupil contracts into a narrow slit to reduce incoming light and protect the eyes; in dim light, it dilates to the extreme, gathering as much light as possible. This rapid adjustment ability allows cats to maintain good vision in various lighting conditions.

However, although cats have strong night vision, it does not mean they can see clearly in complete darkness. They still need some light source, even if it’s faint moonlight or streetlight outside, which they can fully utilize. In total pitch-black environments, where you cannot see your hand in front of your face, cats’ night vision ability decreases significantly.

The color world in cats’ eyes: black and white movie or "biased" color film?

It was once believed that cats were "color blind," seeing only black, white, and gray. But scientific research shows that cats are not completely color blind; they can see colors, although their color perception differs greatly from humans.

Humans have three types of cone cells in the retina that are sensitive respectively to red, green, and blue primary colors, enabling us to distinguish a rich variety of color combinations. Cats have far fewer cone cells, mainly sensitive to blue and yellow. This means that blue and yellow appear more vivid to cats, while red and green may look like gray or brown.

So when you tease your cat with a red cat teaser stick, it might not see the bright red you see, but rather a dull or somewhat grayish object. Cats rely more on movement and contrast to grab their attention rather than color itself. That is also why many cat toys are designed in blue or green, colors easier for them to perceive.

The you in their eyes: a "big cat" or a "two-legged beast"?

Putting aside color and night vision, how do cats view us "two-legged beasts"? This may depend on the cat’s personality and the relationship it has established with you.

Some animal behaviorists believe cats may to some extent view humans as larger fellow species. Their rubbing against you, head bunting, even licking behavior is similar to the ways they communicate among their own kind. Just like kittens rely on their mother cat, young cats see their primary caregiver (that is, you) as an object of dependence and security.

But as they grow, this relationship gradually evolves into a friendship based on trust and companionship. Although cats are relatively independent animals, they choose to form bonds with you and feel comfortable and safe by your side. Studies show cats can even sense human emotions; when their owners feel sad or depressed, cats may increase interaction and purr to comfort you.

Interestingly, due to cats’ lower visual resolution compared to humans, objects in the distance appear blurry to them. This also means that from your cat’s perspective, you at a distance are likely a moving blurry figure. They mostly rely on your voice, scent, and walking posture to recognize you.

Additional facts about cat vision:

• Wider field of view: Cats have a wider field of view than humans, about 200 degrees compared to humans’ 180 degrees. This allows them to better detect movement in their surroundings, greatly aiding hunting.
• Near-sighted little cuties: Despite their excellent night vision, cats are actually nearsighted; their best viewing distance is much closer than humans, about only 6 meters, whereas humans can easily see scenes tens of meters away. So sometimes, food placed in front of them may not immediately catch their attention and they rely more on their nose.
• Sharper motion vision: Cats are very sensitive to moving objects, able to detect even very slight movements. This is why laser pointers drive cats crazy—the rapidly moving light dot is irresistibly attractive to them.
• The secret of vertical pupils: Have you noticed cats’ pupils are vertical slits under bright light? This special pupil shape helps them exactly adjust the amount of light entering their eyes under different light conditions, especially during hunting, aiding distance judgments and ambushes.

Common questions and answers

• Can cats see red?
  Cats have weak perception of red; red may look gray or brown to them.
• Are cats color blind?
  Not entirely color blind, but their color perception range is limited compared to humans; mainly they see blue, green, and some yellow.
• Can cats see in total darkness?
  No, cats cannot see in complete darkness; they need some faint light to utilize their night vision.
• Can cats recognize their owner’s face?
  Cats rely more on voice, smell, and gait for recognition rather than clear facial features.
• Why do cats’ eyes glow?
  Because their eyes have a reflective layer called the Tapetum Lucidum, which reflects light back to the retina to improve night vision.

Overall, the world through cats’ eyes is not as rich and colorful as what we humans see, but they have unique advantages in night vision and detecting movement, which are closely linked to their nature as predators. How they see humans is more imbued with elements of emotion and companionship; they may see you as an intimate partner, even though in your eyes they might just be slightly nearsighted, bluish-green "little mischievous spirits."