I rent a room in the basement and my cats live down there with me, I am gone during the day and I only have one window in the basement, light comes in the window during the daylight but when it gets towards evening and it gets dark out, the cats are left in total darkness and I am worried that they could get depressed from it. I know that humans can but I'm not sure about cats. I have recently started to leave a small lamp on during the day so they can have light when it gets dark. Am I worring for nothing?
2007-09-26 16:54:09 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats don't get depressed in the dark. How ever, they do have exceptional sight in the dark. They can see way better than us in the dark too. If leaving a small lamp on during the day makes you feel better. That is fine, and I'm sure your cats appreciate you for thinking of them. Hope this helps!
2007-09-26 16:58:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats are not like humans - they don't need light to function! We have crap night vision and almost all of the activities we engage in require us to be able to see what we're doing. Cats, by contrast, have excellent night vision (except in absolute pitch darkness, but as you have a window I doubt your room actually gets pitch dark) and have highly keen other senses - smell and hearing, as well as their whiskers - to help them do all the things they do in the day. Your cats do not need light (as every cat lover who's been kept up all night by boisterous cats knows!) and they definitely will not get depressed from being in the dark for a couple hours! You don't leave a light on for them while you sleep, do you? Why should that time be any different? Nevermind wild animals and feral cats - nature doesn't exactly provide night lights for skittish creatures. Relax, your cats are quite happy to play in the dark, and in fact cats are most active at dawn and dusk, so they probably enjoy being able to really experience the sun set without pesky human electricity getting in the way.
2007-09-27 00:01:54 · answer #2 · answered by slytherinferret 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, cats won't get depressed in the dark, they love the dark, this is when they get active to hunt and I don't believe cats have the state of consciousness to think that they might be feeling blue because of a lack of sunlight. What will depress them though is a lack of things to do when they are awake, so provide plenty of toys and interesting places to explore, like boxes and crinkly paper bags etc. The lamp is fine if you're really worried, but to be honest as long as they seem happy and well adjusted, the dark is the least of your worries.
2007-09-27 00:04:23 · answer #3 · answered by garty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats LOVE to sit in windows, lay in the sun, and enjoy watching birds, people, etc., from a window... I have 6 pet cats, and I have also been rescuing cats for 15+ years, and EVERY cat I have ever known LOVES to sit in a window and look outside!
I once was a young person who had to rent a small apartment -- but even though money was tight, I ALWAYS found apt.'s that had a good VIEW for my cats! : )
Try not to feel too bad if that is all you can afford [for now]... but maybe when your rental lease is up, you can consider finding a new place w. big wide windows... NOT only for your beloved cats... BUT also for YOURSELF!
: )
PEOPLE need sunlight too!
: )
Good luck! : )
2007-09-27 00:06:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry your cats will be fine, cats a nocturnal animal they get more active at night when it's dark. They tend to sleep all day anyway missing the bright sunshine. My cat's usually sleep under the couch or under my bed for most of the day and are crazy active at night in the dark.
2007-09-26 23:58:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats see in the dark Dont worry .Are they showing any signs of any mental or physical illness? They will need fresh air but. A trip outside would'nt go astray.The light thing is a loving gesture! Good on you.
2007-09-27 04:04:16 · answer #6 · answered by cats mother 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always leave a light on for my cat to. I urge you to not leave a lamp on though, but a ceiling light instead. Cats have been known to knock over lamps and you create a fire hazard.
2007-09-27 00:03:42 · answer #7 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know dogs get depressed so i think leaving a light on will be a burden lifted off of u and your cat so stick with it your not hurting noone espically the cat ! LOL:)
2007-09-27 02:43:56 · answer #8 · answered by ladybug 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not put a night light in one of the electrical sockets?
2007-09-27 19:55:29 · answer #9 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know about being depressed but cats see better inthe dark so maybe not
2007-09-26 23:59:08 · answer #10 · answered by *J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋