Leaving a light on for the cat

[Stifko]

My g/f and I got a cat the other day. I leave for work before she does. Before she goes to work, she leaves a light on for the cat to see (its dark by the time we get home). I think that is stupid b/c they can see in the dark. Plus the fact that we live in the city and the street light shines in the front room. Am I right to ask her not to do that or what?

 

[Feldenak]

I always try to leave a light on for my pets....then again, I also hate coming home to a dark house.

 

[TheGizmo]

i thought cats can see in the dark.. or maybe that was only bats

 

[Bootprint]

Spend $10 and get a timer for plug-in lamp and everyone is a little happier.

 

[brxndxn]

If I had a cat, it would die..

But, if it didn't die, and I left a light on, the cat would knock it down and burn my house down.

So.. don't leave a light on..

 

[Ranger X]

Cats can see in the dark.

Text

 

[cKGunslinger]

Just because cats can "see in the dark" doesn't mean that they prefer darkness at all times. I mean, humans can "see in the dim," so do you turn all your light down to 25% all the time?

Light is warm, comforting, inviting, and useful. Why wouldn't it be so for domestic animals?

 

[theknight571]

We leave a light on for our cat and dog and even leave the TV on for them sometimes.

The dog tends to chew up less things if the TV's on.

The cat would live by itself...if it could find a food source. It is the most unaffectionate cat I have ever known.

- TK

 

[Shadowknight]

I have a cat book that recommends leaving a night light on next to the litter box. Makes it easier for them to get into it and night and do their business properly.

 

[Ranger X]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Just because cats can "see in the dark" doesn't mean that they prefer darkness at all times. I mean, humans can "see in the dim," so do you turn all your light down to 25% all the time?

Light is warm, comforting, inviting, and useful. Why wouldn't it be so for domestic animals?

How do you know what an animal prefers? Whether the cat likes the darkness (mind you, this is darkness for a few hours until the owners get home) is irrelevant because it doesn't justify someone leaving the light on all day and incurring the unnecessary electricity cost. Even if the lamp is on a timer, it's just seems ridiculous to go so far to "please" your pet when you're not even sure what the animal prefers.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
Cats can see in the dark.

Text

From your article:

It is a fallacy to say that cats can see in the dark, however - it may seem dark to us, but some glimmer of light must be there for the cat to see.

Cats cannot see in total darkness.

 

[memories2002]

theknight571 : most cats are like that, including mine!

 

[Ranger X]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
Cats cannot see in total darkness.

If the house has no windows, I might buy into the whole business of leaving the light on.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
Cats can see in the dark.

Text

From that link:

"It is a fallacy to say that cats can see in the dark, however - it may seem dark to us, but some glimmer of light must be there for the cat to see."

The streetlight is plenty for the cat.

 

[kirkaptain]

Leave the light off.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Ranger X

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Just because cats can "see in the dark" doesn't mean that they prefer darkness at all times. I mean, humans can "see in the dim," so do you turn all your light down to 25% all the time?

Light is warm, comforting, inviting, and useful. Why wouldn't it be so for domestic animals?

How do you know what an animal prefers? Whether the cat likes the darkness (mind you, this is darkness for a few hours until the owners get home) is irrelevant because it doesn't justify someone leaving the light on all day and incurring the unnecessary electricity cost. Even if the lamp is on a timer, it's just seems ridiculous to go so far to "please" your pet when you're not even sure what the animal prefers.

I have no idea what an animal prefers. I assume the owners of the cat have a better inclination about the wants and desires of their pet than either you or I. Why do you get to decide whether or not the trivial amount of wasted electricity is unnecessary?

I mean, I could argue that that the amount of electricity you used to run you PC while you typed up that response was even more wasteful, but I won't, as my opinions on how you spend your money and on what are of little-to-no consequence anyone else.

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: Ranger X

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Just because cats can "see in the dark" doesn't mean that they prefer darkness at all times. I mean, humans can "see in the dim," so do you turn all your light down to 25% all the time?

Light is warm, comforting, inviting, and useful. Why wouldn't it be so for domestic animals?

How do you know what an animal prefers? Whether the cat likes the darkness (mind you, this is darkness for a few hours until the owners get home) is irrelevant because it doesn't justify someone leaving the light on all day and incurring the unnecessary electricity cost. Even if the lamp is on a timer, it's just seems ridiculous to go so far to "please" your pet when you're not even sure what the animal prefers.

Since you nor he will ever know what the cat "prefers", then why not just leave a light on for them? The chump change incurred by leaving one light on for a few hours a day is probably worth it to the pet owner and their peace of mind. I'd hate to see your idea of reasonable pet-pleasing if leaving one light on is "ridiculous" to you.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Just because cats can "see in the dark" doesn't mean that they prefer darkness at all times. I mean, humans can "see in the dim," so do you turn all your light down to 25% all the time?

Light is warm, comforting, inviting, and useful. Why wouldn't it be so for domestic animals?

Because cats are noctural and humans are not? Just a thought.

I'm not leaving a lamp on just in case my cat decides to spontanously learn how to read or something. If he wants light, he can jump up and flip the light switch like everyone else.

 

[Baked]

Ummm, cats and dogs can see in the dark, that's why they have that evil look when you take pics of them.

 

[IronWing]

If the cat was formerly a stray or otherwise malnourished at anytime in its life it way not see well in the dark. Protein deficiencies can rapidly lead to permanent macular (sp?) degeneration where the part of the retina most responsive in dim settings is damaged. We have a cat, a former stray, that is almost blind in the dark.

 

[imported_LoKe]

I leave my light and radio on for my dog. =/

 

[Triumph]

This thread shouldn't be so varied in its opinions. Cat doesn't need the light. Your girlfriend is stupid. Tell her to turn the light out.

 

[Looney]

My cat prefers the shade/dark. She'll crawl under the bed, coffee table, etc to nap, unless the lights are off, then she'll lounge out in the middle of the hallway.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: Ranger X
Cats can see in the dark.

Text

thats abummer, cats cant see color very well? so those colorful toys we get them could just be dark? hehe weak

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: Ranger X

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Just because cats can "see in the dark" doesn't mean that they prefer darkness at all times. I mean, humans can "see in the dim," so do you turn all your light down to 25% all the time?

Light is warm, comforting, inviting, and useful. Why wouldn't it be so for domestic animals?

How do you know what an animal prefers? Whether the cat likes the darkness (mind you, this is darkness for a few hours until the owners get home) is irrelevant because it doesn't justify someone leaving the light on all day and incurring the unnecessary electricity cost. Even if the lamp is on a timer, it's just seems ridiculous to go so far to "please" your pet when you're not even sure what the animal prefers.

I have no idea what an animal prefers. I assume the owners of the cat have a better inclination about the wants and desires of their pet than either you or I. Why do you get to decide whether or not the trivial amount of wasted electricity is unnecessary?

I mean, I could argue that that the amount of electricity you used to run you PC while you typed up that response was even more wasteful, but I won't, as my opinions on how you spend your money and on what are of little-to-no consequence anyone else.

You sure are defensive. It sucks to be wrong, huh?