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Cats are masters of stealth and night vision, but what do they actually see? Do they see the world in vibrant color, or is their perception more muted? Do cats see color at all? What’s for certain is that felines and humans don’t view the world in the same shades. In fact, their unique visual system allows them to perceive the world in ways that humans simply can’t.
What Colors Can Cats See?
As much as we'd love to ask our feline friends, cats can't tell us if their new crinkly mouse toy is yellow or gray. While we humans can appreciate the vibrant hues of the rainbow, cats experience color in a more limited way. Here's what we know for sure about the way they experience color.
Cats See a Limited Range of Colors Compared with Humans
Despite their vibrant, colorful personalities, your cat doesn’t exactly see in technicolor. When it comes to cat vs. human vision, it’s not that your cat doesn’t see color at all, but that rainbow we all learned about in elementary school does not look the same to a feline.
Can Cats See Blue and Yellow?
Cats can definitely see blue, and yellow is a good possibility too; there’s also some evidence that they may be able to see greens as well. However, their perception of these colors may not be as vibrant as ours. For example, a deep blue might appear as a lighter shade of blue to a cat, while a bright yellow might seem more subdued.
Can Cats See Red?
Nearly all veterinarians agree that cats cannot see red; it would likely appear to them as a muted shade, such as a gray. So, cats aren’t chasing that laser point because it’s red—it’s just because it’s a fun game with an entertaining beam of light.
What About Other Colors?
There’s still a lot of debate (really), but most sources agree that blue and yellow are likely, while red and anything with a reddish, pinkish, or orange hue will appear as something more washed out.
How Does the Structure of a Cat’s Eye Affect What They See?
As with humans and other animals, the retina, rods, cones, and other anatomy of a cat’s eye determine the way they view the world.
The retina is the layer of cells in the back of the eye; it takes light and turns it into signals that travel along your optic nerve to your brain. Your brain processes those signals, and that’s how you see the world in terms of light and movement.
Just like a human’s, the cat’s retina also has rods and cones. Rods are associated with light, and they determine how a cat sees in the dark, while cones are responsible for the way that cats see color.
How Are Human and Cat Eyes Different?
Despite all that you and your cat have in common—a love of treats, a distaste for certain people, certain similar ophthalmological anatomy—there are also significant differences, which account for the way we each see things.
Humans have three types of cones (red, blue, and green), while cats either have one (blue) or two (blue and green) cones, though the research is ongoing. What it definitely means is that humans see a wider variety of colors, and fewer cones explains why cats are limited in the spectrum of colors they can view.
What Other Factors Affect a Cat’s Vision?
Distance
Cats are designed to swat at and capture prey at a short distance, which might be why they have no need to see very far away. They’re near-sighted, so if they’re not paying attention to you from a long distance, it’s not personal—they literally can’t make you out.
Eye Placement
Consider the location of your cat’s eyes. They’re farther apart than a human’s, giving your cat better peripheral range of vision. This unique placement provides them with a wider field of view, allowing them to detect movement and potential threats in their peripheral vision. This is particularly useful for stalking prey or avoiding predators.
While cats may be nearsighted, their depth perception is exceptional. Because a cat's eyes are positioned further apart, it allows for a greater degree of binocular overlap. This increased overlap provides the brain with more information to process, resulting in a more accurate perception of depth. Essentially, the greater the distance between the eyes, the better the depth perception. This is essential for accurately judging distances, especially when pouncing on prey or navigating obstacles.
Enhanced Low Light Vision
Cats are renowned for their exceptional night vision, thanks to several unique adaptations.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, cats have significantly more rod cells than humans—which explains why their night vision is superior to ours. Rod cells are highly specialized photoreceptor cells located in the retina of the eye. They are responsible for detecting light and motion, particularly in low-light conditions. Cats have a significantly higher concentration of rod cells compared to humans, which enables them to see in dim light conditions far better than humans. This adaptation is crucial for nocturnal hunters, allowing them to navigate the darkness with ease.
In addition, cats (and dogs, for that matter) have larger pupils and corneas than humans. That means more light enters their eyes, and they can see better in low light. The vertical slit shape of a cat's pupil is another fascinating adaptation that enhances their vision. This unique shape allows for precise control of the amount of light entering the eye. In low-light conditions, the pupil dilates into a large, almost circular shape, maximizing the amount of light that reaches the retina. This enables cats to see clearly in dim environments.
Lastly, the tapetum lucidum—not present in human eyes—is unique to animals who need to see well in the dark. In fact, it’s “essentially a tiny mirror” that helps your cat see well at night, and it’s the reason their eyes glow.
How Are Dog and Cat Eyes Similar?
Dogs have only two cones (blue and green), so there are some similarities in the way they see the world around them.
Both species have trouble distinguishing certain colors, and we may be able to look at their origins as wild animals for an answer. In the wild, it would have been more important for them to distinguish the colors of prey, not a whole rainbow of colors.
It’s not exactly fair to call them color blind, since their two color-detecting cones are doing their job, but they do likely have a drabber sense of color than humans. Chances are, they can tell blue and violet from yellow and green, but not green from red (since that third cone, found in humans and primates, is missing).
And, in disappointing news to cats everywhere, they’re not #1 when it comes to having the greatest field of vision. That honor goes to dogs, with a range of view of 240 degrees, while cats come in second place, with a range of 200 degrees. Humans are last, at a range of 180 degrees.
How Can I Use Their Vision to Keep My Cat Happy?
Pick Colorful Toys Your Cat Will Love
Choose toys in fun colors that you know your best friend can see. Avoid reds, oranges, or pinks, and aim for blues and yellows, which may be more appealing.
Let Them Be Themselves at Night
Once you understand a cat’s ability to thrive in a low light environment, you might even get why your best friend is up and about in the middle of the night, slinking through hallways or rooms lit only by the moon—you might trip in the dark, but to your cat, it’s business as usual. Let them enjoy it!
Give Your Cat Space
Not only can you pick toys based on the colors your cat will be able to see (and love), but you can also make sure your cat has space indoors to explore at night—don’t let that excellent low light vision go to waste! While they can’t see in the full dark, dimly lit spaces are no problem for a feline.
Protecting Your Cat's Eyes
As we've explored, cats have a unique way of perceiving the world, with a limited color palette and exceptional night vision. While their visual system is truly remarkable, it's important to remember that their eyes, like ours, are susceptible to various conditions.
Common Eye Problems in Cats
Cataracts: A clouding of the lens that can impair vision.
Glaucoma: Increased pressure within the eye, which can damage the optic nerve.
Corneal ulcers: Scratches or sores on the cornea.
Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye.
These conditions can cause significant discomfort and, if left untreated, lead to permanent vision loss. Early detection and treatment are crucial to preserving your cat's vision.
The Role of Pet Insurance
Veterinary care can be expensive, and unexpected eye problems can strain your budget. Pet insurance for cats can provide financial protection, allowing you to focus on your cat's health without worrying about the costs.
Remember: Early detection and treatment are key to maintaining your cat's eye health. Regular veterinary check-ups and prompt attention to any signs of eye problems, such as excessive blinking, squinting, or a change in behavior (like your cat meowing a lot), can help prevent serious complications.
An optional, non-insurance pet wellness plan can be added to your plan to help cover the cost of these regular checkups to make sure you catch any problems early! By understanding your cat's unique visual system and taking proactive steps to protect their eye health, you can ensure that they continue to experience the world in all its wonder.
Can Cats See Color?
We've seen the intricacies of feline vision--their incredible adaptations as well as their deficiencies. From their unique color perception to their exceptional night vision, cats possess a visual system that allows them to thrive in their environment.
By understanding the nuances of their sight, we can better appreciate the world through their eyes. By providing them with a safe and stimulating environment, we can ensure that they continue to experience the joys of sight for many years to come.
Let's cherish the moments of wonder and connection that our feline companions bring to our lives. Their soft purrs, playful antics, and affectionate glances are a testament to the bond we share. May we continue to protect their vision and appreciate the beauty of the world they see.