Can Cats See Things Up Close?

Why I Am Certain That Cats Cannot See Things Up Close

Based on my experience, I would say that cats have poor up close vision.

I have had multiple occasions with multiple kitties where I have put a treat on the floor right in front of the cat and the cat did not seem to be able to find it.

So I would point to the treat. If that didn’t work, I would pick it up and drop it. That motion usually helped them find it, probably assisted by their incredible hearing and smelling, and motivated by their belief that they have a divine right to treats.

Since this happened with multiple cats, I began to wonder if all cats had trouble seeing objects that are up close. I researched this and here is what I found.

Are Cats Far-Sighted?

Far-sighted means one can clearly see objects at a distance, but not close-up. Near-sighted is just the opposite. According to an article by the National Eye Institute, both of these conditions are the result of an eye defect called refractive error.

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University published an article that reported on a study that found that cats generally do not tend to develop refractive error.

These two learned opinions would seem to add up to a conclusion that cats are neither far-sighted nor near-sighted, However, I think there may be more to this cat story beyond just the scientific definition of far-sightedness and near-sightedness.

There are some people, including me, that say that cats seem to have difficulty seeing objects close up. While the kitty may not be far-sighted, if an object is right in front of their nose, they may not be able to spot it. Like the kitty in this photo:

This is where a cat’s sense of smell and excellent hearing would be called upon. Their whiskers may also be helpful, and for more about that, look in on my blog post How Do Cats Use Their Whiskers?

Are Cats Near-Sighted?

According to a paper presented at a 2008 DVM360 Veterinary Conference, cats have 20/100 vision. This means that a cat must be 20′ or less from an object to be able to see that object clearly. At a distance greater than 20′, they can detect motion, but may not be able to see exactly what it is that is moving around out there.

To again share my own experience, there have been many times I have observed one of our kitties looking out from the screened porch or out of a window and they seemed to be wondering what was out there in the far distance.

Even though they seemed to be focused on some potential prey, they did not assume the predatory crouch or the swishing of their tails like they do when they want to imitate a lion. Instead they would just be gazing at something way out there, like the kitty in this photo:

However, if there was a bird or a squirrel closer-up, say on the deck or in a nearby tree, this created an attitude very different from the curious contemplation of something far away.

I offer these observations so you may find them familiar if you happen to experience them yourself. However, if you ever suspect your kitty is experiencing vision problems in general, please consult your veterinarian. I know you want to protect your kitty’s eyes.

By the way, did you know cats have a way to protect their eyes….

How Do Cats Protect Their Eyes?

The Merck Veterinary Manual informs us that in addition to the upper and lower eyelids, cats have an eyelid-like structure called the nictitating membrane. When retracted it is located in a corner of the eye near the cat’s nose.

Under certain circumstances and by natural bodily reactions, this membrane extends across the eye. Among other things, it may provide protection from eye scratches when a cat is stalking through bushes.

Get More Information About Those Amazing Cats

You may want to go to my blog post Learn About Cats for more about your pet.