topic Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too in Community Chat

Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

Wild Cherry — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:32:36 GMT

Now I know why my dog and cat appear to be possessed at times.

If you saw the world through the eyes of your pet, you'd very likely be seeing a lot more than you currently do. That according to new research that has found that cats, dogs, and select other animals may be able to see things that are invisible to the human eye. That's because they're able to see UV light, according to a paper published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. While we've known for a century that many invertebrates (Discovery News gives bees as an example) see UV, it has long been assumed that the majority of mammals had lenses like our own, which block UV from reaching the retina, says study co-author Ronald Douglas.

The researchers came to a new conclusion by reviewing the eyes of dead mammals, then measuring how much light passed through the lens to the retina. LiveScience reports some animals' lenses permitted some UV light to pass through, indicating they can detect UV. As for what they're privy to that we're not, it's both appetizing and not: patterns on flowers that reveal the presence of nectar, and a urine-marked landscape. Those sights would be put to good use: The urine trails could signal the presence of prey, for instance. As far as predators go, reindeer are able to see polar bears against snow when a human might not, as snow reflects UV, and white fur doesn't, explains Douglas. So add reindeer to the list, along with rodents, hedgehogs, bats, ferrets, and okapis.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

ive been framed — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:40:03 GMT

Fascinating! Makes sense when you think about it!

I think our cats can see through solid objects. That's why they want to get through doors that are shut Oh, maybe that's also why dogs stare at walls!

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

faeriemoon — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:48:11 GMT

Reindeer are not predators.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

ive been framed — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:50:02 GMT

On 2/19/2014 faeriemoon said: Reindeer are not predators.

I read it as reindeer can see the predators.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

Yardlie — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 16:58:11 GMT

Very interesting! Thanks for posting this.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

Linders Back — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 18:58:13 GMT

Yes, it states that they can see the Polar Bears, not vice versa.

I always thought they needed a Red Nose to see that well.

I did always think my dog was aware of things in my old house that I wasn't. He would run head long into a room (one in particular), stop short, stare into space and growl very low.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

hckynut — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:19:03 GMT

Not only that sense they also have it for smell/taste/touch and hearing. Ever try to sneak something around a feline when they are even in another room sound asleep? I have and I know that I almost instantly feel something brushing against my leg and ""Walllah!!"" It's a cat.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

Melania — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:31:54 GMT

Don't they also sense storms, earthquakes etc.?

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

MikafromTopeka — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 22:37:42 GMT

My old dog can sniff out a package delivered to the back porch within minutes even if the truck or delivery person pulls in or walks right past the window she's sleeping nearest to and doesn't hear.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

FlowershopGirl — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 23:18:19 GMT

My mom had a cat that would howl about 5 minutes before an earthquake, we always knew that particular howl, which was totally different than her regular play howl.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

brewhaha — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 23:22:18 GMT

Are you saying we're dogs and reindeer?

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

LyndaGee — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 23:40:32 GMT

This is fascinating! Sometimes, my cat will stare at "nothing," with the most contented look on her face. I wonder: "Is she looking at a ghost of maybe her mother?"

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

bathina — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 00:09:20 GMT

On 2/19/2014 brewhaha said:
Are you saying we're dogs and reindeer?

I wondered that too.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

sidsmom — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 00:17:18 GMT

THAT explains it. Sometimes my Kitty will be sitting next to me, looking lovingly in my eyes(!) when all of a sudden....he looks @ the wall behind me...like something catches his eye. Freaks me out like there's a huge monster sneaking up behind me!!! BUT...I'm convinced he see the angels that are around us!!

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

chessylady — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 00:35:47 GMT

Just read an article that dogs know humans are not dogs and make allowances. Cats just think humans are bigger dumber cats and treat us that way.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

betteb — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 00:56:56 GMT

On 2/19/2014 chessylady said: Just read an article that dogs know humans are not dogs and make allowances. Cats just think humans are bigger dumber cats and treat us that way.

What? You mean it's not that way??

Dogs have masters, cats have staff.

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

HiLo — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 06:36:56 GMT

Interesting; but we know dogs have keen hearing and also have vibes for the unseen.Are very loyal to their owners and to those on the battlefield. I've seldom met a dog I didn't like..

Re: Cats May See Things That Are Invisible to Us Dogs and reindeer, too

Feline Fine — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:08:33 GMT

Animals and children are naturally psychic. 8)