Wasn't sure where to put this so I stuck it in here.

Not sure if its just my cat or every cat but I think his vision may be based on movement.

Now, the idea of a predatory animal having to rely on something moving before it can see it is ridiculous to me (T-Rex for example, what a load of tripe).

But after knowing and observing my cat for over twelve years its becoming clearer that it may be true.

I've noticed a few things:

1 - When he goes for a drink of water out of his bowl, a bucket or puddle of water, he'll tap the water with his paw to create ripples...he then takes a drink.

2 - He doesn't see the food (usually odorless, like chicken breast or something similar) I put in front of him unless I wiggle my finger around it or snap my fingers over it.

3 - Over the years of playing I've managed to sneak up on him by remaining completely still...he's even walked right past me a few times, but occassionally will spot something out of the ordinary and come in my direction and notice me.

4 - The birds that come to our yard actually eat his cat food (which is ironic when he gets one, catfood flavored birdie, mmm). They are very coordinated and come down in pairs, one keeping watch while the other eats. Anyway, I've watched them when they spot him nearby. They stop dead and remain still until he passes by, not even noticing them. They then kiss their lucky arses and fly away.

I have had other cats, but none as long as Jedda...so I was too young to really remember details like this of the others.

For the record he's been like this since a kitten, so it's not failing eyesight.


What do you think?

Think his vision is based on movement? Does he need to see an optometrist? Or is he just a dumbarse?

I can't remember exactly what the deal is supposed to be, but I've heard something before about cats having specialized vision. Like, if you wave a toy in front of them so that it swings directly towards their eyes, they can't see it as well as if you swing it from side to side.

Or something.

Anyway, they do seem to see things that move, even a tiny little bit, better than things that stay still.

Of course cats eyes are based on movement they are predators?

Cats have a problem with attention span.... They are like a marijuana ridden teenager....

But they can see things that dont move, those with good vision that is. My cats have no problem with this....

Your cats are just like mine! [attachmentid=13747]
I tried to get him down to 40 a day but he does'nt seem to listen!
Well at least he's off the wacky backy!....

Thats really intresting as my cats seem to do that too....

I'm not sure if their vision is dependent on movement alone. I have 3 cats and all 3 of them will go after a "sockie" if I swing it around, but if I drop it, they will stare at it and after a time, one of them will bat at it and then the game is on. One of the cats not only will put his paw in his water, but he licks the water off his paw. I've yet to see him actually drink directly from the bowl. The other two aren't as finicky. Anyway.....if something is moving they go after it. When it stops moving, they stare, but will go after it again. Who can understand cats anyway? Mine have me trained so well.......

I have a cat that will go up to a non moving toy and bat it around. I don't think they go by movement. Of course when something is moving around it is more intriguing to them. They have a hunters instinct so of course thay are going to go after birds and whatnot.

I used to have a cat that would only drink running water. I had to leave a faucet dripping for him. I had another that loved bread. When you'd give him a chunk of bread he'd sit on his back feet, hold the bread in his front paws and eat it like a squirrel with a nut. He also used to talk. He'd sit by the door and say "mama!" and "hello". (Well, okay, what he actually said was more like "mehwoah!" But he said it really loud when he wanted attention. )

Cats are weird.

That doesn't happen with my cat...

She doesn't have to make ripples in water to drink it! Although she really sniffs the water beforehand, and takes ages before she actualyl drinks something.

I'm not sure though...

Yes, cat's eyes are exceptionally good at detecting movement.

http://www.millcreekac.com/tips/cat_eyes.htm

http://www.whataboutcats.com/vision.html

http://www.thedailycat.com/cutecats/facts/felinefacts/

Cats are awesome.

Funny you should say this...


This is my cat Punky,

[attachmentid=13776]

Should I be worried?

Punky is also cross eyed... lol
Also when you get her to focus on the ceiling with a laser light or something, she makes a weird cackle/chirping sound... lol I am totally serious!!

But I love my cat!! She is a little sweety...
Does anyone know why she insists sleeping by my head and face all the time at night... Maybe she is try to suffocate me... lol
Still love her... lol


LBD

LBD, I used to have a cat that did that too. My theory is that they like our heads because it's the only part that looks normally hairy to them. I mean, think about it. We probably look, to cats, like big bald monkeys with just one patch of weird, long fur on top of our heads.

(Excepting really hirsute guys and not even getting into other places on the human body you find hair! )

I believe that the cat's eyesight depends on both movement and depth perception. As subby said, cats' have very short attention spans partly because when they are focussed on an abject or task, movement from another object will divert their attention. Cats are very intelligent and agile. The way my cat can gracefully glides through the air and lands on a very small, very high surface amazes me every time.

The clicking or chattering is a phenomenon some animal experts believe to be an involuntary convulsion a cat experiences when he spots prey. These experts suspect that it is a simulation of crushing bones in a "catch" as they use thir back teeth to snap the bones of mice and birds while the front ones are used to tear flesh. Awesome animals they are, the worlds greatest predators.

Oh, I agree they are very awesome... And yes they are awesome predators, but you can't say they are the "best"... Nature has some pretty super predators... Snakes, wolves, killer whales, sharks... The list could go on and on...

With that said, cats are my favorite too...


LBD