THE FABULOUS WORLD OF THE SENSES IN THE CAT

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Cats are equipped with a set of senses that help them adapt and interact with their surroundings. Highly developed almost magical senses that approach superpowers. Let's see them together one by one:

1) The view
Cats have exceptional night vision due to an increased number of rod cells in their retina. They can see better than us in dim light, but their color vision is less developed than ours. They also have a large field of vision and good perception of distances.
2) Hearing
Cats have highly developed and sensitive hearing. They can hear higher frequencies than humans and are able to pinpoint where a sound is coming from. Hearing plays an important role in hunting, communication and orientation of cats.
3) The sense of smell
The sense of smell of cats is extremely sensitive. They can perceive very faint odors and distinguish a wide range of scents. The sense of smell is essential for communication between cats, for the location of prey and for the exploration of the environment.

4) The taste
Cats have taste buds on their tongues and can distinguish some flavors, although they are less sensitive to sweet and bitter flavors than humans. Taste plays a role in food selection and food preferences in cats.
5) Touch:
Touch is important for cats to perceive touch and the sensations on their skin. The fur, whiskers and paws of cats are rich in tactile receptors that allow them to explore the environment, interact with objects and establish social contact.
6) Balance and proprioception:
Cats have a highly developed sense of balance and excellent proprioception, which is the ability to perceive the position and movement of their body in space. These senses are essential for cats during jumping, climbing and other physical activities.
The combination of these senses allows cats to adapt to their environment, interact with other animals and people and carry out their daily activities, such as hunting and exploration, making these little felines magical

Let's take a closer look step by step

1) SIGHT
The eyesight of cats is fascinating and has some distinctive features compared to human eyesight. Cats are nocturnal predators, and their eyesight is adapted for hunting in low-light conditions. Here are some key points about the eyesight of cats:

A) Night Vision: Cats have exceptional night vision due to an increased amount of rod cells in their retina. Rods are responsible for light perception and vision in low light conditions. They can see better than we do in dark environments, but their color vision is less developed than ours.
B) Field of vision: Cats have a large field of vision that covers about 200 degrees, while the human field of vision is about 180 degrees. This means that cats can see things to their sides without having to turn their heads.
C) Accuracy of movement: Cats are equipped with a highly sensitive visual system, which allows them to detect the most subtle movements. They are particularly adept at tracking moving objects and locating prey.
D) Vision of distances: Cats have a good perception of distances, especially in proximity. They can accurately calculate jumps and ambushes thanks to a combination of vision and muscle coordination.
E) Peripheral Vision: The peripheral vision of cats is superior to that of humans. They can also detect movement in their peripheral vision and are often said to have a "sixth sense" for spotting prey or danger in this way.
F) Color: Although cats don't have as vivid color vision as ours, they can distinguish some colors, especially blue and purple tones. Colors like red and orange may appear nuanced or less obvious to them.
Interestingly, despite the differences in vision, cats rely much more on smell and hearing to interact with the world around them. Their eyesight is just one of the many tools they use to survive and communicate.

2) HEARING

Cats' hearing is highly developed and superior to that of humans in several respects. Here are some characteristics of hearing in cats:

A) Frequency range: Cats can hear higher frequencies than humans. While we can hear sounds in the range of about 20Hz to 20,000Hz, cats can hear sounds in the range of about 48Hz to 85,000Hz. This ability to perceive higher frequencies is due to the complex structure of their inner ear.
B) Sensitivity to soft sounds: Cats are very sensitive to soft sounds. They can detect sounds much softer than we can perceive, making them excellent hunters. This sensitivity is due to the combination of a mobile, funnel-shaped outer ear, which collects sound, and a highly sensitive inner ear.
C) Localization of sound: Cats are able to locate the origin of a sound with great precision. They can determine the direction a sound is coming from and calculate its distance based on the difference in time and intensity of the sound reaching each ear.
D) Hearing Protection: Cats have the ability to protect their hearing. When they are in noisy environments or exposed to loud sounds, their ear muscles contract involuntarily, thus reducing the ingress of loud sounds and protecting their delicate hearing mechanisms.
E) Cats' acute hearing is a key part of their hunting and survival skills. It allows him to locate small prey, such as rodents or birds, even if they are hidden or far away. In addition, hearing plays an important role in communication between cats themselves, allowing them to perceive subtle sounds such as meows or purring buzzes.

3) TASTE

Taste in cats is another important sense for their survival and nutrition. Here is some information about the taste of cats:

A) Taste Buds: Cats have taste buds on their tongues, similar to those of humans. However, the distribution of taste buds in cats is slightly different, with a greater concentration in the back of the tongue.
B) Flavor Sensitivity: Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that their natural diet is based primarily on meat. They have a reduced number of receptors for sweet and bitter tastes compared to humans. Cats are more sensitive to salty flavors and prefer foods that taste high in protein and fat.
C) Food Preferences: Cats can develop individual preferences for certain foods or flavors. Some cats may prefer dry food, while others prefer wet or fresh food. These preferences can also be influenced by factors such as the texture and temperature of the food.
D) Sensitivity to bitter tastes: Cats are particularly sensitive to bitter tastes. This sensitivity can be helpful in avoiding eating plants or toxic substances that may be bitter.
E) Individual Variations: As with humans, cats too can have different individual preferences and tastes. This means that one cat might enjoy a food or flavor that another cat does not.
It's important to note that taste isn't the only factor influencing cats' food choices. Smell plays a vital role in their appetite and food selection. Cats have a highly developed sense of smell and can be particularly attracted by the smell of fresh meat or an intense flavour.
If you have any concerns about your cat's nutrition or diet, it is always advisable to consult a veterinarian for specific advice based on your pet's individual needs.

4) SMELL

Smell in cats is an extremely developed and important sense for their daily life. Here is some information on the sense of smell of cats:

A) Olfactory Sensitivity: Cats have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell. It is estimated that they have about 200 million olfactory receptors, compared to our 5 million. This means that cats can perceive much weaker odors and distinguish a wide range of scents.
B) Jacobson's organ: Cats have an auxiliary olfactory organ called "Jacobson's organ" or "vomeronasal". It is located in the upper part of the mouth, behind the front teeth. This organ helps cats detect and analyze chemical odors and pheromones in their environment.
C) Chemical Communication: Smells play an important role in communication between cats. Cats use pheromones, chemicals released from the body, to convey messages to other cats. For example, cats mark their territory with scent glands located on their faces and bodies.
D) Hunting: Smell is essential for cats when hunting. They can sense the odors of prey, such as rodents or birds, even at considerable distances. This ability to detect scents helps cats locate prey and plan their hunting strategies.
E) Sensitivity to unpleasant smells: Cats are also very sensitive to unpleasant smells. They can react strongly to odors such as ammonia or some chemicals. This sensitivity may explain why cats avoid certain foods or places due to their smells.
F) Exploration and orientation: Smell helps cats explore and orient themselves in their environment. They may use scents to identify the boundaries of their territory, recognize other cats, or locate a familiar path.
Smell plays a vital role in the life of cats, influencing their behavior, communication and survival. They are animals very sensitive to smells and use this sense in many aspects of their daily life.

5) THE TOUCH

Touch is another important sense for cats, which they use to interact with the world around them. Here is some information about touch in cats:

A) Fur: The fur of cats is rich in tactile sensitivity. Each hair is connected to a nerve ending that allows cats to sense touch and the sensations on their skin. Fur also plays an important role in thermoregulation and protection of the cat's body.
B) Whiskers: Whiskers, also known as whiskers, are long, thick bristles found on the snout, cheeks, and eyebrows of cats. These whiskers are extremely sensitive and help cats sense and navigate their surroundings. The vibrissae provide information about the width of a passage, the presence of nearby objects and the direction of the wind.
C) Pressure Sensitivity: Cats have good pressure sensitivity, which means they can sense when they are being touched or stroked. This sensitivity to touch is particularly evident in their paws, which are rich in touch receptors and allow them to explore their surroundings and interact with objects.
D) Social Contact: Touch is also important for social contact between cats and between cats and humans. Cats rub against people and objects to mark territory and establish a social bond. Physical contact, such as stroking, can be reassuring and pleasurable for many cats.
E) Sensitivity to pain: Cats are able to perceive pain through the sense of touch. They may react to painful stimuli by withdrawing or brushing against the part of the body that has been injured or irritated.
Touch plays an important role in the life of cats, both for exploration of the environment and for social interaction. They use tactile sensitivity to gather information about surfaces, recognize fellow species, and make connections with humans through physical contact.

6) BALANCE AND PROPRIOCEPTION:

Cats are known to have an exceptional sense of balance and good proprioception. Here is some information on these aspects in the cat:

A) Balance: Cats have a highly developed vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear and controls balance. This system allows cats to maintain stability when moving, jumping and climbing. It helps them maintain body position, adapt to uneven surfaces, and react quickly to changes in their surroundings.
B) Whiskers: The whiskers, or whiskers, of cats play an important role in balance. The whiskers on the face and other parts of the body of cats are rich in tactile receptors that help detect the position and distance of surrounding objects. The whiskers can be extended forward to help the cat gauge the width of a passage or determine whether it will fit through a narrow space.
C) Proprioception: Proprioception is the ability to perceive the position and movement of one's body in space without the use of vision. Cats have a good sense of proprioception thanks to specialized receptors called Golgi tendon and fusimotor receptors. These receptors are found in muscles, tendons and joints and provide information to the nervous system about the state of tension and position of different parts of the body.
Thanks to their exceptional balance and good proprioception, cats are able to move easily on different surfaces, jump accurately on objects and climb trees and other vertical supports. These senses contribute to their agility and ability to adapt to various environments, enabling them to explore, hunt, and meet their behavioral needs.

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