While us humans enjoy the world in a full spectrum of color, our pups have a slightly different experience. For decades, it was widely thought that dogs see the world in black and white. But now we’re starting to understand that although dogs can’t see exactly what we see, they can still see some colors.
Let’s answer some important questions like what colors can dogs see and how we can tailor playtime to have even more fun. Here we go!
Can Dogs See Color or Are Dogs Color Blind?
When we talk about color blindness in humans and dogs, we’re not saying that you see the world in black and white. Color blindness usually makes it hard to tell the difference between colors or makes it hard to see certain colors in general. For humans, we have two types of color blindness:
- Red-green color blindness
- Blue-yellow color blindness
Humans have three types of cone cells in the retina, which allow them to see a spectrum of colors. Dogs have two types of cone cells in the retina. So, dogs can see colors, but they have a more limited spectrum of color. Our pups can experience the colorfulness of their surroundings, just in a slightly different way to humans.
How do we know what colors dogs can see?
Dog experts and researchers have examined the structure of dogs' eyes and observed them to see if they can distinguish two colors. Although dogs see fewer colors than us, their ability to see in low light is much better.
What Colors Do Dogs See?
It’s normal to wonder what colors dogs can see. Can they see blue? Pink? Green?
Because dogs have two types of cones in their eyes, they can mainly see yellow and blue. This type of vision is known as dichromatic color vision. Our furry companions can see blue well, but if they come across purple, it will look more blue. The same applies to yellow. Colors similar to yellow, like orange, can look more yellowish.
Let’s say you’re playing fetch with your pup; they wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a purple and blue ball. So, which colors can dogs not see?
Dogs have a tough time distinguishing between certain colors. Red and green colors may look more like brown or gray. Your pup’s color vision is most similar to a human with red-green color blindness. Red, green, and orange are out of the color spectrum our pups can see. These sorts of colors can look more blue, yellow, or gray.
If we know what colors dogs can not see, we can adapt their surroundings to be more in tune with how they see the world. Just like us, color is important for making choices. While dogs can’t see color exactly as we do, it’s not a black-and-white world.
What Does This Mean For You and Your Dog?
Armed with the knowledge of canine color vision, you can start to choose products in colors your pup is more likely to love. Knowing what colors dogs can see best can do wonders when looking for new dog toys.
Despite many balls or toys coming in bright red or green, investing in a yellow or blue toy would actually be better for getting your pup’s attention. If your pup prefers a brighter yellow or blue toy, they will likely be more engaged and ready to play.
Let’s say you’re throwing a red ball into some green grass and waiting a while to get the ball back for the next throw. As our pups don’t see red and green like we do, it’s easy for your dog to lose the ball. Now, let’s throw a yellow tennis ball. Does your pup go absolutely wild for it? The yellow ball is much easier for your dog to spot, and they can get lost in playtime.
If we are training our pup, think about how we can use blue or yellow training aids to support the process. Say you have two training toys; if you have one blue and one yellow, it’s much easier for your pup to tell the two apart. But if you pick yellow and red, then your pup might have a harder time learning and differentiating the two colors.
Choosing training aids or toys that are blue or yellow can be more visually appealing for dogs. This can help to keep them stimulated and engaged with playtime, encouraging lots of physical activity for a healthy pup.
Are There Other Visual Differences Between Dogs and People?
As we mentioned, dogs and humans have different numbers of cones in their retinas. That’s what allows us to see so many colors and makes dogs highly sensitive to blue and yellow. But it’s not just color that sets apart human eyes from dogs.
Dogs actually have a wider field of vision, at about 240 degrees in comparison to 180 degrees in humans. This means that dogs can see movement in their peripheral vision. Where dogs' eyes are slightly further apart than ours, they can see more from the side.
Our furry friend’s vision differentiates from ours in a few other ways; let’s break it down!
- Night Vision: Dogs have better night vision than us as they have more rods in their retina so that they can see better in low light. Larger pupils let more light in, and their tapetum lucidum (a special layer in the back of the eye) reflects light for night vision.
- Moving Objects: Dogs can pick up on motion and have about 10-20 greater motion sensitivity than humans.
- Vision Acuity: Humans have 20/20 vision. Most dogs have, on average, about 20/75 vision. This means that your pup needs to be 20 feet away from an object to see it as well as you would at 75 feet away. The exact vision of your pup can depend on factors such as breed, age, size, and overall health. Some breeds have better vision than others, but not as good as humans.
- Third Eyelid: Dogs have a third eyelid, like cats and other animals. It’s a membrane that protects the eye from dirt and debris, keeps it moist, and helps with healing.
FAQs
It’s natural for pet parents to worry about their little fluffballs. While dogs can’t read out an eye chart at an eye test, understanding the unique way our pups see the world can help provide the best possible environment.
Does a dog's limited color vision affect their daily life?
Dogs are color-blind from birth, so how they see colors isn’t likely to have much of an effect on their day-to-day life. Knowing what colors dogs do see can help you select toys in colors that are likely to be more engaging.
Did you know a dog’s sense of smell is roughly 10,000 to 100,000 times better than humans, depending on the breed?
Dogs are the ultimate sniffers, with up to 300 million olfactory receptors in the nose compared to our six million. A dog’s sense of smell is so important to them, not to mention their hearing, too. So, while our pups may not see the world in full color exactly as we do, they do get to smell and hear more than us. Your dog may not be able to see a beautiful sunset or colorful flowers, but their powerful sense of smell certainly makes up for it.
What age do dogs tend to have vision problems?
Like humans, dogs can experience vision issues. It can happen at any age for several reasons. As dogs get older, they may develop vision problems like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal degeneration.
When your pup starts to enter their senior years, you may begin to notice signs of vision loss.
You might see them bumping into doorframes or looking hesitant going up the stairs. Other signs of vision loss include:
- Cloudy or white eyes
- Higher anxiety or stress
- Difficulty getting around familiar areas
- Dilated pupils
- Sensitivity to light
- Avoiding activities they normally love, like walks or playtime
Smaller breeds are considered seniors at about 11–12 years old, medium breeds at 10 years, and larger breeds at 8 years. If your dog is experiencing vision loss, it’s important to pinpoint the reason and speak to your veterinarian. Early treatment and diagnosis can help manage vision loss and ensure your pup has everything they need to live their best life.
You can make adjustments for a pup with vision problems, like adding a stair gate, not moving the furniture, and relying more on sounds for commands instead of visual cues.
Unleashing the Power of Color
Now you know that the next time you’re ready for a new toy for your furry companion, yellow and blue are the winning options!
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.