Cat's Pupil Size: Why It Expands and Contracts
Have you ever noticed that your cat's pupils can dilate and constrict? If you haven't been paying close attention to this detail, try placing your cat in a welllit area and cover it with a small box for about ten to fifteen seconds. Then, lift the box and observe the change in your cat's pupils. You'll witness the fascinating process of their pupils expanding and then narrowing.
Let's take a closer look at the three common states of a cat's pupils:
1. Circular pupils in dimly lit environments
2. Almondshaped pupils in normal indoor settings
3. Linear pupils in bright sunlight
Why do cats' pupils change size?
Cats' pupils dilate in low light to allow more light in, enabling them to see their prey clearly even in the dark. Conversely, they constrict in bright light, often taking on a vertical line shape in direct sunlight. These tiny pupils provide the clearest image and are best for stereoscopic vision. If you're a photography enthusiast, you might have noticed that this is similar to the concept of a camera's aperture.
Comparing to our eyes:
It seems our feline friends have once again found a way to outdo us. Just like humans, cats can dilate and constrict their pupils. However, while human pupils can expand and contract by about 15 times, a cat's pupils can change size by an incredible 135 times—definitely not on the same scale!
When one pupil is larger and the other smaller:
As a pet owner, it's crucial to take notice if you observe this in your cat's eyes. Conditions such as high blood pressure, optic nerve damage, and eye infections can all cause such changes in pupil size.
