Having pets is probably one of the best things in life.However, having a furry friend like a cat can lead you down a confusing path when trying to understand its body language. Cats do have many predictable behaviors, but it can be confusing seeing the dilated pupils of your cat.Having a kitty as a pet is quite a fun experience. Humans find a lot of comfort in having animals as their companions. All cats are not the same, and each cat is known to have a different personality. It is always relaxing to come back home and cuddle your feline pet. There may have been many moments when you have noticed that the round pupils of your cat’s eyes dilate, making it look more adorable and lovable. Ever wondered why your cat’s pupils dilate? Then read on.One of the main causes for dilated pupils can be that your cat feels threatened, is in pain, or is taken aback. A sudden reflex leads to their pupils growing larger. Another cause is when your cat feels extremely relaxed, is highly energetic, or is in a playful mood. Sometimes, large, rounded pupils may also tell you that your feline friend may have contracted a disease and needs to visit the veterinarian.Continue reading to discover how your pet’s eyes can tell you a lot about its emotions. You could also learn a lot more about cats with our articles about why cats arch their back and why cats put their butts in your face!Why do cats’ eyes dilate when they pounce and attack?Cat’s eyes can be pretty expressive. Sometimes, when you sit back and relax with your pet, ruffling through its fur, you may suddenly get attacked with its sharp claws. Its eyes may grow wide, and its pupils may get dilated. Drops of blood may trickle down from the injury on your body, and you may be absolutely clueless as to what you did wrong while you dab yourself with a tissue.Cats can be really difficult to understand, as they are well adapted to hiding signs of pain and covering their underlying emotions. Dogs, on the other hand, are much easier to communicate with, and the behavior of cats can be a little random. What may be the underlying cause of this reaction?Round pupils in a cat’s eyes may be used to convey fear, threat, or absolute surprise. When you observe your cat’s pupils growing round and large, get ready for defensive behavior. They are simply preparing for an attack against any potential threat. In such situations, it is better to leave your feline friend alone for a while rather than scaring it more.Why do cats’ eyes dilate when they play or get petted?A cat may not be as expressive as a dog, and so understanding the body language of cats is crucial in bonding with your pet. The underlying emotions of a cat must be read solely on the basis of their body language. Misreading your cat can land you with an injury, so humans need to be very careful. It may be necessary to understand the emotions of your cat to develop a good bond with it. Each part of a cat’s body may convey emotions related to its mood. Their body, eyes, tail, and stance can all be used to convey certain messages.Large, dilated pupils are a sign that your cat is actually very excited. You may have noticed its eyes going wide when your cat sees food or when it is able to get hold of some good prey. There may also have been times when its pupil grows wide when you pet it. This simply indicates that the kitten is all relaxed and at peace.What other emotions are conveyed by your cat’s eyes?The almond-shaped eyes of a cat convey a lot more than we can imagine. These blue, green, golden mesmer-eyes-ing eyes convey messages through the variations in pupil size or through the position of the eyelids. You may have noticed various situations in which the pupils shrink into a narrow slit or even situations when they dilate into large, round pools.If you notice your cat’s pupils becoming constricted, it is probably because your cat is annoyed, angry, or extremely agitated. If you observe your cat squinting, with its eyes being half-closed, then you can be relieved because your cat has full faith in you. It feels relaxed in your company and trusts you completely. Also, this may be a way to communicate how tired or sleepy the cat is. Cat eyes are used to express who is in control as well. A more dominant cat will directly stare into the eyes of another cat. A submissive animal will simply look away or look down, withdrawing its authority.Moving on, do you want to test if your cat really trusts you or not? Then simply blink at your cat! If your little kitten blinks back, it is a sign of a strong emotional bond it has created with you!The Biology Behind This PhenomenonIt may actually be very interesting to know the working of cat eyes, to know what is the cause of the pupils getting dilated and how this happens. The autonomic nervous system controls the vision of the eye. Whenever possible, the pupil is controlled, and the eyelid plays an important role in handling sight. Along with the eye, the tail and body also join hands in conveying emotions.A known cause for the change in the shape of pupils may be variations in feline emotions; this may be pain, excitement, aggression, relaxation, or fear. Another possible reason for a change in pupil size is environmental factors, such as light in the room. Changes in the amount of light falling into a cat’s eyes causes pupil variations. If you take your cat out for a walk on a bright sunny day, you will notice this dilation.Were you aware that these furry animals have something called the ’nictitating membrane’? The nictating membrane is a third eyelid possessed by cats. Whenever necessary, the third eyelid comes forward to cover and protect a cat’s eye. It is usually unnoticeably; this is usually baby pink or pearl white and is located towards the inner corner of a cat’s eye. But remember this: if you ever happen to notice more than just a sliver of the nictating membrane in the eye, it may be a sign of disease! Your cat may have fallen sick, may be dehydrated, or may have a more serious condition. Do not delay and rush your kitten to a veterinary physician at the earliest moment possible!There is another situation to be taken into consideration and when your cat may have to be taken to the veterinarian in an emergency. This may occur when one pupil appears to be slightly larger than the other one. This situation is called anisocoria. Anisocoria is not a disease but just a symptom of one. However, it may mean an emergency if anisocoria seems to occur suddenly. If a situation of anisocoria is even slightly hinted at, it is advised to rush to a veterinary physician before the eyesight of your pet is affected permanently.Whenever the pupils are seen to be of different sizes, they may fall into one of the following categories. Your cat may be experiencing a brain injury due to any possible trauma caused by either an accident or another disease. There may be possible inflammation to the interior of the eye. The cat may have contracted a retinal disease in the eye, or there may be an injury to the surface of the cat’s eye. The nerves running to the eyes with dilated pupils may be injured, or there may be painful pressure that is developing behind the eyes. The cat may be diagnosed with cancer, or your feline friend may be suffering from a pupil syndrome.So, make sure to take your cat to the veterinarian if you feel your cat is showing signs of anisocoria.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our article about why cats’ eyes dilate, then why not take a look at our articles on why cats growl or Russian blue facts?
Having pets is probably one of the best things in life.
