What colours can cats see?

Have you ever stopped to wonder, ‘What colours do cats see?’ It’s pretty common knowledge that cats have superior eyesight to us humans, but does that mean they see the same colours as us? Not quite!

You may have heard that cats are completely colour-blind, only seeing black and white, but this is not true! Research has found that cats do not appear to see a full range of colours like humans. Instead, it is believed that our furball friends may only see blue and grey. Some experts think cats can also see yellow, like dogs, meaning their eyesight is closer to someone who is red-green colour-blind.

A cat’s vision develops as it grows. In fact, early learning in kittens is far more than just playtime. It’s a vital period when a cat’s vision sharpens, allowing them to see much better.

Today, we are answering the age-old questions - what colours can cats see and do cats see in colour? It’s time to see the world from the eyes of a cat!

How do cat’s eyes work

Cats are dichromats, seeing blues and yellows well, but reds and greens appear desaturated, causing them to rely on movement and brightness more than humans for their surroundings. Like most animals, a cat’s colour vision is discerned by nerve cells located in the eye. The retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, contains two types of photoreceptor cells - rods and cones. Rods detect light levels as well as motion, whereas cones detect colour and fine detail.

Like humans, cats have three types of cones that can see combinations of red, green, and blue. However, humans typically have ten times as many cone receptors as cats, so they can identify more variations of colour. This limits a cat’s colour perception.

Although cats only see a limited number of colours, their eyes are adapted for night vision and movement detection, both of which are far superior to human capabilities. Cats have reflective cells beneath their retina, forming the tapetum. This reflects light information through the retina, increasing a cat’s ability to see in darker conditions. This is why a cat’s eyes glow in the dark!

Cats also possess more rod cells than humans, helping them detect even small motions more accurately at greater distances. A cat’s superior detection of movement may answer some unusual cat behaviour, such as suddenly fixating on something we can’t see.

Why a cat’s vision is this way

A cat’s eyesight is the result of evolution, giving them an advantage to thrive and survive in the wild. Even your pampered, domesticated cat has vision that allows them to know when to pounce on prey or when to flee.

Cats are crepuscular hunters, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Being able to see in low light conditions and pick up the slightest movements from great distances improves a cat’s hunting abilities, something vital to a wild cat’s survival.

Do cats see in colour? Yes, but it’s their wider peripheral vision and excellent depth perception that proves more advantageous in hunting, rather than their ability to see bright colours. Their superior motion detection and sensitivity to movement allow cats to hunt and track prey more easily, and help them be more aware of their surroundings in case of danger.

The key reasons a cat’s vision is the way it is are:

• Cats have evolved as crepuscular hunters, so their eyes have developed to see well in low-light conditions.
• They have a higher number of rod cells in their eyes, helping them see in near darkness and detect slight movements.
• Their wide field of view gives them an advantage in spotting movement around them, crucial for hunting and surviving in the wild.
• They can’t see very well up close, but are excellent at seeing longer distances, which is again important for hunting prey such as birds or mice. These are all part of what makes up your kitten’s independent spirit.

What colours do cats see the best?

Can cats see colour? Yes, cats can see colour, but only a limited amount compared to humans. The precise colours cats see is still up for debate, but it is believed that cats mainly see shades of blue, yellow, and grey. Red and green tones may also be visible but are thought to look more like shades of grey. So, if you wave a bright red toy in front of your pet cat, chances are it looks quite dull to them. One way of getting the most out of your playtime is to play with blue items, as this colour is far more likely to get their attention.

Understanding what colours cats can see is challenging, but it is believed the colours they perceive are similar to a dog, rather than humans, who can see a vast range of colours within the visible light spectrum. Rather than relying on colourful cues, brightness and movement are more important visual triggers for cats.

How does vision affect a cat’s everyday life?

Cats are born with their eyes closed, before gradually opening them between eight and 12 days old. For the first few weeks of their life, their eyesight is pretty poor, with kittens being nearsighted before developing adult eyesight after a few months. It is when their eyesight is fully developed that cats can truly navigate the world around them, often with incredible agility and speed.

Your kitty may prefer blue or yellow toys more than red or green, as these colours are more visible and attention-grabbing. That being said, motion and smell are what capture a cat’s attention rather than colour, which is why you may see cats stop and stare at birds or things we can’t see. A cat’s sense of smell is actually 14 times stronger than a human's, helping them detect pheromones from other cats and animals.

Most cats are emmetropic, meaning they have perfect, normal vision. However, as they age, cats are more likely to become farsighted, making closer objects appear blurry. This is also common with humans as we age.

The next time you notice your cat grooming itself, make a small movement in their peripheral vision. They will probably pause and look in that direction instantly, proving their motion detection is just as sharp as their claws!

What colours can cats see - Summary

Now we have answers to ‘Do cats see in colour?’ and ‘What colours can cats see?’ Yes, cats can see colours, and although experts do not know the exact colours visible to cats, it is widely agreed that blue and yellow are the most visible, whilst reds and greens tend to appear in a vast range of grey shades.

Despite not seeing a wide array of colours, a cat’s eyesight is better than ours in many ways. Their depth deception is superior, helping them hunt and track prey in the wild. Then there is their higher sensitivity to movement and wider peripheral vision, giving them excellent hunting skills.

A cat’s eyes are designed uniquely, with large pupils and the tapetum lucidum, the reflective layer behind the retina that amplifies light. As a result, our furry friends only need approximately a sixth of the amount of light humans do, allowing them to see more clearly in low light.

Understanding what colours cats see can be helpful when choosing toys that may stimulate them more. Just like choosing the right cat food for your kitty, you can create a more stimulating and safe environment with colours your cat can see best.

Commonly asked questions about what colours cats can see

What colour can not be seen by cats?

Some experts believe that one colour cats can not see is orange. Because cats only have two types of cone cells in their eyes, it is believed they are unable to detect red-orange hues. Instead, cats primarily see muted shades of yellow-green and blue-violet, whilst red, orange, and brown may not be perceived.

Can cats see pink colour?

It’s often thought that cats are not able to see the colour pink as their colour vision is predominantly in shades of blue, yellow, and grey. Pink or red hues may appear more like green or grey to a cat’s eyes, and even bright purple may be perceived as another shade of blue.

What colour are cats attracted to?

Cats are most attracted to the colours blue and green, and potentially yellow. Therefore, cats may be drawn more to toys or objects that are in these colours, rather than red or orange, which are thought to resemble shades of grey.