The saying “The eye is the window to the soul” is apt when it comes to cats. They use it to communicate a wide spectrum of emotions. We can even tell if something is wrong by looking at our pet’s pupils. Your pet may try to hide what’s going on inside, but their eyes are a great giveaway. Cats are good at non-verbal communication, as it is one of their keys to survival.
Part of the reason cats’ eyes are so expressive is their many facial expressions. Scientists have documented 276 unique, with 26 unique muscle movements. These movements, combined with changes in pupil size, help to better understand a cat’s body language. There’s the potential for your kitten to tell you a lot about what’s going on behind their eyes.
Structure of the Cat’s Eye
A cat’s eye is similar to a human eye. After all, they do the same thing, albeit with different results. The differences reflect a cat’s role as a crepuscular predator and an obligate carnivore. Cats’ superior night vision is thanks to some special features in their eyes. Their retinas have a greater proportion of rod photoreceptors, and these are light-sensitive cells that function in low light conditions.
Pupils also respond to available ambient light. They widen in low-light conditions and narrow in slits when it’s bright or sunny. However, cats can see better than humans with less light. They also have an additional tissue layer, the bright carpet, which reflects more light back to the retina. These adaptations give them an advantage when hunting.
In general, cats need to be seven times closer to see something as clearly as we do, meaning they are nearsighted. This is calculated by the Snellen fraction, which in normal people is 20/20 and in cats is about 20/150. This means that a cat can see objects clearly at 20 feet, while we can see from up to 150 feet away.
We have richer color vision compared to the relatively dull range of cats. Because of how their eyes are positioned, cats have a wider field of view, giving them a competitive edge in hunting for prey. The anatomy and functionality of feline pupils is highly refined, giving them the functions they need to survive.
Visual Communication
The facial expressions we mentioned earlier averaged four movements of 26 unique in each case. They include actions involving their ear positions, whiskers, blinks, and lips. That opens up a lot of possibilities as to what the cat is trying to convey to a caregiver or other animal.
We can make some generalizations about cat pupils based on their emotions, which include the following observations:
| It’s relaxing: | Pupils normal in slits |
| Alert: | The students are normal |
| It’s tense: | Pupils normal to slightly dilated |
| anxious: | Pupils dilated |
| It’s scary: | Pupils are wide open |
| Extreme Fear: | Pupils are wide open |
One thing is clear: Dilated pupils are more status quo as the risk of a threat increases. Note the function of this action. This gives more light to the animal’s eyes so they don’t miss anything potentially dangerous. It is worth researching more on a relaxed state of the cat as expressed by the students as cuts.
One study linked half-blinks and closing the eyes as being more attractive to cats when humans perform these actions. Cats are more likely to imitate this movement when their owners do it. Animals are also more inclined to approach researchers. These findings support the hypothesis that eye blinking is an affectionate gesture.
It is worth mentioning that dilated pupils can also be an indication of illness in pets. No doubt it makes sense that a cat would feel anxious and scared because the animal is vulnerable to the inability to fully defend itself. That provides compelling evidence of the range of emotions conveyed by the state of the cat’s pupils. Note that this action is not intentional.
Other visual signs that accompany the state of the cat’s pupils eliminate any uncertainty about their mood. For example, an animal that is very frightened is likely to growl or hiss with their ears pinned back on their head. A puffed-up tail is another indication of a highly agitated feline. You don’t have to look into a cat’s eyes to know what they’re telling you.
Catnip can mimic the effects of an anxious or fearful pet. However, accompanying behaviors make it clear that this response is neither sexual nor aggressive. Their actions suggest that smelling the plant is a pleasurable experience. Some scientists believe that the insect repellent properties may have made this reaction desirable to protect cats from parasitism and disease.
When Something Goes Wrong
Cat pupils can convey more than what they feel. Pupils also change in size due to medical conditions. Anisocoria describes a condition when they are of different sizes. The strange appearance is definitely enough to set off alarms in any pet owner. However, it is not diagnostic in itself. Many things can cause this. They include the following:
- Uveitis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Cancer
- Retinal disease
- Glaucoma
- Eye or brain damage
Of course, all point to a serious medical condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. Treatment and prognosis depend on the underlying cause. Blindness or more serious complications can occur if left untreated.
It is also worth noting that abnormal pupils not only manifest as unequally sized, but unresponsive, fully dilated pupils in both eyes may be an indication of high blood pressure. Whenever you notice any abnormality in your cat’s pupil(s), be sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Final Thoughts
Cats can communicate with humans and other animals non-vocally. This benefits them from a safety perspective to avoid life-threatening conflicts. Their students reveal a lot about their emotional state even if they can’t tell you what’s wrong. And they are not lying because their movements are not intentional. They are truly a window into your pet’s soul.
Featured Image Credit: Anne Richard, Shutterstock
