How Do Cats See Humans?
How Do Cats See Humans?
Cats are fascinating creatures that have been domesticated for thousands of years. They have a unique perspective on the world, and their vision is no exception. In this article, we’ll explore how cats see humans and the world around them.
How Cats See Humans
Cats see humans very differently from the way most humans see themselves. Their view is uniquely feline, and understanding it may help you to understand your cat a little better. Technically, cats can see in color, but they probably see us — and everything else — in a very different light than we do. Cats have very few of the cones that respond to red light, so their world appears blue, gray, and yellow. Reds and greens are impossible for cats to tell apart, so if you have bright red hair, it probably doesn’t stand out to your cat. However, new research suggests that cats may be able to see some colors that humans can’t. A new study by researchers in London found that cats and some other mammals can see colors at the ultraviolet end of the spectrum — colors that humans can usually only see under a black light.
Human eyes have muscles that allow them to change the shape of their lenses to focus on objects at different distances, but cats’ eyes lack those muscles, so they are stuck focusing on things between 6 and 20 inches away. In other words, cats are colorblind, nearsighted, and probably see the world as if it is lit by a black light.
How Cats See Human Faces
Have you ever looked into your cat’s eyes and wondered what she sees when she looks at you? Cats treat us as though they think we are giant, clumsy fellow cats. When a cat rubs up against you and lifts its tail, she is greeting you in the same way that she would greet another cat. Compare this to dogs, which play and communicate differently with other dogs than with humans, suggesting they recognize the difference. Cat behavior researcher John Bradshaw of the University of Bristol says that cats probably see us as especially clumsy — which most of us are, by cat standards. However, despite legions of Internet memes, they do not see us as foolish inferiors. After all, in feline social circles, rubbing and purring are not how one greets a social inferior. They may also see us as family. When a cat kneads you with her paws, she is treating you as a kitten treats its mother; kneading is a kitten’s way of asking for milk. On the other hand, if your cat tends to try to “groom” you, she might be treating you like a kitten!
Conclusion
Cats see humans in a very different way than we see ourselves. They are colorblind, nearsighted, and probably see the world as if it is lit by a black light. They treat us as though they think we are giant, clumsy fellow cats, and they may also see us as family. Understanding how cats see humans can help you to understand your cat’s behavior and improve your relationship with your feline friend.
