While cats have excellent night vision, they can still get scared in the dark due to poor past experiences, new environments, or underlying health issues, showing signs like crying, dilated pupils, or hiding; a nightlight can offer comfort by aiding navigation and reducing anxiety, but it's important to address the root cause, which might be fear of being alone or other stressors, not just darkness itself.
While dogs generally tolerate sleeping in the dark well due to enhanced night vision, cats often prefer dark, cozy spaces for lower stress levels. Some pets with poor vision or trauma may dislike the dark, but a comfortable sleep environment, positive reinforcement, and treats can help alleviate their anxiety.
While cats ABSOLUTELY see better in the dark than humans, they can't see completely in the dark. And, as they sleep periodically through the day/night cycle, it's beneficial to give them at least a dim light. That should be plenty of light to illuminate their way!
6 Things that Scare and Stress Cats
New Cat? Set Realistic Expectations! You can expect that it will take your cat some time to get used to the new routines and environment. The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your cat to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often progressing until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart muscle disease, both often showing few symptoms until advanced stages, along with Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver), leading to sudden illness or organ failure if undetected. Early detection through regular vet check-ups, blood tests, and monitoring for subtle changes like increased thirst/urination, weight loss, or hiding is crucial for managing these common, often hidden, feline diseases, says this article.
Cats are incredibly sensitive to their environment. Major changes such as switching owners and households can be dramatic and very stressful. Cats are aware of even the smallest changes in your household.
Loud sounds: a cat's worst enemy
They can detect sounds we don't even perceive and react instinctively with fear to unexpected loud noises, such as: 🔹 Fireworks and thunderstorms: Sudden explosions can cause extreme panic. 🔹 Vacuum cleaners and household appliances: The noise and vibration terrifies them.
While the smells your particular cat hates or even loves can surprise you, the most hated smells by cats include:
Signs a Cat Is Scared
Cats get most annoyed by loud, sudden noises (vacuums, thunder), strong smells (citrus, vinegar), changes in routine, dirty litter boxes, and unwanted handling like being picked up or stared at, as these disrupt their sense of security and sensory balance, triggering their sensitive hearing and instincts for control and safety. Unexpected movements, unfamiliar scents, and being forced into costumes also cause significant stress and annoyance for felines.
Due to the construction of their eyes, it's thought that the colours cats can see best are blue and yellow. Meanwhile red and green appear to them as shades of grey, like for people who are red-green colourblind.
As a rule, cats will sleep 18 hours per day, spread over a series of naps that average 78 minutes each. They sleep during the day as well as in the middle of the night, only to get up and become active right when we are heading to bed, and again shortly before we want to get up.
Is your cat depressed? Here are 8 warning signs of depression in cats
While cats have remarkable night vision, they cannot see in total darkness. Contrary to popular belief, no animal, including cats, can see in absolute darkness. Vision requires at least some level of light to function, and if there is no light source at all, a cat's eyes will not be able to process images.
Signs That a Cat is in Pain
Frequent or ongoing meowing or howling. Litter box accidents, urinating outside of their litterbox. Tail flicking. Won't eat or reduced appetite.
Because cats are so keenly aware of our emotions and sensitive to changes in their surroundings, it is possible to hurt your cat's feelings, so to speak. Common ways we might make our cats feel anxious, afraid, or depressed include: Loud noises or raised voices.
Direct eye contact
Cats can find direct eye contact quite threatening. They wouldn't look another cat straight in the face unless they were fixing for a fight. When your cat's relaxed, they might look at you with a peaceful gaze or half closed eyes. A “slow blink” is your cat's way of saying they love you.
1) Cats hate weird smells
Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus. Many essential oils are toxic to cats so it stands to reason that they instinctively want to run the other way when they get a whiff of your bath oils. They also aren't a fan of strong menthol smells.
Let the cat make contact first
Use the '3-second rule': touch for 3 seconds, then pause to see if the cat wants more.
Signs of Emotional Trauma in Cats and Dogs
Trauma can also manifest as “shaking, hiding, urination and/or defecation when the trigger attempts to interact, howling, pacing, excessive vocalization, and panting,” says Pia Silvani, director of behavioral rehabilitation at the ASPCA's Behavioral Rehabilitation Center.
Scaredy Cats: 5 Things That Scare Cats
The 3-3-3 rule for cats moving is a guideline for understanding their adjustment to a new home: 3 days to decompress, where they hide and feel overwhelmed; 3 weeks to learn routines, starting to explore and get comfortable; and 3 months to truly feel at home, revealing their full personality and bonding with the family. It's a helpful reminder for new owners to be patient and provide space for their cat's natural settling-in process.
To apologize to a cat, use a soft, calm tone of voice, offer treats or toys, engage in gentle play, and use slow blinks to build trust, focusing on actions and reassurance rather than words, as cats understand tone and trust more than human language. Give them space first, then approach calmly and let them initiate physical contact on their terms to rebuild your bond.
Studies suggest cats can remember important events and people for up to three years. Long-term cat memory is tied to survival and emotional impact. A positive routine such as regular feeding, gentle play, or cozy lap time can stick with them for years.