The Eyes 👀 of a Cat 🐱

Cats are always watching and learning about their environment and looking at our reactions to things.

Pupil Sizes

Since cats do not see well in brightness or total darkness, their pupils change according to the lighting conditions. A cat’s normal (or neutral) pupil size may vary according to the individual cat.

Constricted Pupils

Visual Signs

Pupils look like narrow vertical slits

What Your Cat May Be Feeling or Doing

Needing to see better when it is too bright.

Getting a sharper focus to measure distances.

Dilated Pupils

Visual Signs

Pupils are large and round

Pupils may also quickly dilate and return to normal size

What Your Cat May Be Feeling or Doing 

Needing to see better in low light.

Depending on the other body language and the context, the cat may be very excited or very scared. If your cat is excited, the ears may be up and forward. If your cat is scared, the ears may be down and your cat might hide.

*Note: Specific medications can cause pupil sizes to change.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Chin, L. (2023). Kitty language: An illustrated guide to understanding your cat. Penguin Random House, LLC: New York. P. 42-45.