Introducing Camera Shy Cats
Have you ever tried to take a picture of your cat, only to have them shy away, hide their face, or even flee the scene entirely? You’re not alone. Many cat owners struggle to get good photos of their furry friends. But why do cats tend to avoid cameras? The reasons behind feline camera shyness are multifaceted and fascinating.
In this article, we’ll explore the science and psychology behind why cats often seem to dislike posing for photos. Understanding the causes can help us become better pet photographers and reduce camera-related stress for our kitties. We’ll also provide tips on how to make photo sessions more comfortable and successful when photographing camera shy cats.
Cats Have Excellent Vision
Cats have a very wide field of view due to the placement of their eyes, allowing them to see about 200 degrees around them without turning their head (1). This gives cats a larger peripheral vision range compared to humans, who have a field of view of around 180 degrees. Cats can detect even the slightest movements in their periphery, helping them hunt and avoid potential threats.
Another unique aspect of feline vision is the ability to see ultraviolet light (2). Humans cannot see UV light, but it shows up for cats as a bluish-white color. This helps cats detect markings and trails left by prey. Cats also have a reflective layer at the back of their eyes that amplifies low light, allowing them to see well in the dark (3). With about 6-8 times more rod cells than humans, cats require much less light to see.
(1) https://www.cats.org.uk/cats-blog/cat-eyesight-facts
(2) https://firstvet.com/us/articles/10-facts-about-cat-eyes
(3) https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/facts-about-cats-eyes/
The Uncanny Valley Response
One theory for why cats avoid cameras is that they may find them unsettling or threatening. According to the concept of the “uncanny valley,” the more human-like an artificial entity appears, the more uncomfortable or repulsed humans become. This is because slight imperfections in human-like features or movement seem abnormal or creepy. Some research suggests this uncanny valley effect may also apply to animals like cats.
When a cat sees its reflection in a mirror or an image of itself on a screen, the visual cues may seem almost but not quite natural. This near-likeness to reality triggers an innate aversion, as if the cat is seeing something abnormal or dangerous. The unblinking stare of a camera lens, flickering refresh rate of screens, or other unnatural movements may fall into an uncanny valley that disturbs cats and triggers an avoidance or stress response.
One redditor shared how taking a picture made their cat meow nervously, seemingly disturbed by how the camera captured its image: [INSERT URL]
The CGI animation in the 2019 Cats trailer received backlash for falling into the uncanny valley and unsettling viewers. Researchers noted the eerily human-like cats and imperfect CG movements seemed creepy or threatening. If humans can feel revulsion from nearly natural CGI characters, cats may have a similar reaction to unnatural screens and cameras: [INSERT URL]
Cameras Can Appear Predatory
One reason cats may be afraid of cameras is that the camera lens can resemble the eyes of a predator. Cats have excellent vision and notice details we may overlook. To a cat, the round camera lens may trigger their instinct to be wary of predators staring at them.
In addition, the flash from a camera can be very startling to cats. Their eyes are extremely sensitive, so a bright camera flash can seem threatening. Cats may see the flash as similar to the threatening stare or lunge of a predator. Since cats are prey animals by nature, this automatic fear response helps protect them from harm.
According to one source, “For cats, cameras are just one more object in your hand that you are interacting with. They luckily can’t grasp the concept of photos and honestly, even if they could, they probably wouldn’t care much. However, the flash can be startling to them.” (Source)
Dislike of Direct Eye Contact
Cats often dislike direct eye contact, especially prolonged staring, as they perceive it as threatening behavior (Source). In the cat world, a staredown is typically a precursor to an aggressive confrontation. Since cats rely heavily on body language signals, maintaining eye contact can be seen as a challenge or act of dominance.
Cameras can exacerbate this effect, as they stare at cats unblinkingly. The unbroken eye contact from a camera can appear especially threatening as cats are used to brief intermittent eye contact being the social norm. A camera’s unwavering gaze triggers a cat’s innate discomfort with direct eye contact.
Cameras Break Normal Social Cues
Since cats rely heavily on scent, sound and movement to understand their environment, cameras can break normal social cues for cats (Science.org). When a human stares at a cat, the cat can smell, hear and see the human moving. However, cameras make no scent, sound or movement. This can confuse cats and make them wary, as they have no social cues to understand why the camera is “staring” at them. Without these cues, cats may feel uncomfortable maintaining eye contact with a motionless camera lens.
Prey Animals by Nature
Cats are predators, but they are also prey animals. In the wild, cats are hunted by larger predators like coyotes, bobcats, hawks and owls. This creates a natural instinct for cats to avoid detection in order to survive (Hiding Behavior in Cats).
As prey animals, cats have evolved instincts to hide when they feel threatened. This helps them avoid being seen by potential predators. Direct eye contact and facing a potential threat head-on can trigger a cat’s prey drive. So cats often avoid direct face-to-face interactions, including with cameras, as an instinctual survival mechanism (The Mysterious Feline: Why Does My Cat Hide?).
Even domestic cats retain these innate prey animal instincts to avoid detection. When cats encounter something unusual like a camera pointed at them, their instinct is to flee the situation rather than confront it directly. This reaction likely persists from their days of evading predators in the wild.
Stress Response
Cameras can trigger a stress response in cats similar to their fight-or-flight reaction from seeing predators. Cats are hardwired to react to direct eye contact and looming objects overhead as possible threats 1. The camera lens staring at them can seem like an unblinking predator’s gaze. Being photographed also involves having a large object hover over them, which cats associate with the shadow of an attacker 2. This provokes anxiety and caution in the cat.
Additionally, cats dislike the unpredictability of cameras. The noises and flashes that accompany photography are alarming sensations cats don’t understand. Their stress response kicks in because they cannot comprehend what is happening. This makes cats want to flee the situation.
Tips for Photographing Cats
When trying to photograph a shy or camera-avoidant cat, there are some techniques you can use to help get better photos. Here are some tips:
Move slowly and quietly. Cats startle easily, so avoid making sudden movements or loud noises. Approach them calmly and give them time to inspect you and the camera. Sudden movements can cause them to run off or get fearful.
Use toys or treats as a distraction. Many cats can be enticed to stay still and look at the camera if you shake a favorite toy or rattle a treat bag. You can even hold a toy or treat just next to the camera to keep their attention on you. The key is keeping them relaxed, distracted, and rewarded.
Let them come to you initially. Don’t force interactions. Allow the cat to approach you and the camera at their own pace. This allows them to satisfy their curiosity in a low-stress way.
Keep sessions short to avoid stress. Limit photo sessions to just 5-10 minutes at first, and end on a positive note with a treat. As cats get more comfortable, sessions can go longer.
Use familiar locations. Photograph shy cats in their own environment, where they feel secure. This could be a favorite room, cat tree, bed, or yard.
Make use of natural light. Bright camera flashes can startle cats. Rely on soft window light or outdoor shade whenever possible.
Telephoto lenses are helpful. These allow you to stay further back, avoid direct eye contact, and zoom in for close portraits.
Patience is key. With time, and positive reinforcement most cats will eventually relax and cooperate for photographs. But go at their pace and don’t force interactions.
Conclusion
In summary, there are several reasons why cats tend to avoid cameras. Cats have excellent vision and cameras can trigger an uncanny valley response, as they appear unnatural. Cameras can also seem predatory, with their unblinking eyes and direct stare. Cats dislike direct eye contact, as it is seen as a threat, so cameras break normal social cues for them. As prey animals by nature, cats can perceive cameras as stressful. Some tips for photographing cats include acclimating them slowly to the camera, using treats as positive reinforcement, and photographing them during natural activities. While it may take patience, you can often get great photos of cats with the right approach.
