Cats have fascinated humans for centuries with their unique abilities and behaviors. One interesting cat fact is that they do not see color the same way humans do. In particular, cats have trouble seeing the color red compared to humans. So how exactly do cats see the color red and other colors? Understanding cat vision provides insight into how cats experience the world around them.
The Basics of Cat Vision
Cats, like humans and most mammals, have two types of photoreceptor cells in their eyes for detecting light: rods for dim light vision and cones for color vision. However, the numbers and distributions of these photoreceptors differ between species based on their visual needs.
Here are some key facts about cat vision:
| Photoreceptor Type | Cats | Humans |
| Total rods | Approx. 125 million | Approx. 90 million |
| Total cones | Approx. 5.6 million | Approx. 6 million |
As the table shows, cats have many more rods than humans, allowing for better night vision. But they have far fewer cones. Additionally, cats only have two main cone types compared to three main cone types in humans. This suggests cats have inferior daytime and color vision compared to humans.
Cone Cells and Color Vision
The cone cells in our retinas allow us to see color. Humans have three types of cones that are activated by different wavelengths of light – short (blue), medium (green), and long (red). All other colors we perceive are combinations of these three cone signals. For example, yellow activates both the red and green cones.
Cats only have two main cone types, most sensitive to green and blue wavelengths. They lack a red cone. Without a red cone, cats may have trouble distinguishing red hues from green hues. So how do cats see red? Here are two theories:
Theory 1: Red Looks Like a Shade of Green
Since cats lack red cones, their retinas may interpret red light as weakly activating their green cones. Thus, cats may see red hues as a dim, dark green color. Red objects would have little color and contrast compared to objects of other hues.
Theory 2: Red Looks Grey or Unsaturated
Alternatively, cats may see red hues as extremely unsaturated or in shades of grey. With no red cone activation, red objects may lack any color at all. This may make red objects blend into the background more for cats.
Either way, red likely provides low visual stimulation for cats compared to more vibrant greens and blues. But scientists are still studying exactly how cats perceive red hues.
Evidence That Cats See Red Differently
Multiple observations indicate cats do not see red colors normally:
– Laser toys – Cats are strongly attracted to red laser pointers. This may be because the red looks dimmer, encouraging chasing.
– Prey capture – Cats can struggle to track and catch red objects like red toys or lasers compared to blue or green.
– Color associations – Cats do not naturally associate red with blood or raw meat like dogs and humans. Red does not instinctively trigger hunting.
– Lure studies – Cats show less interest in red lures compared to other colors when catching prey. Red does not stimulate cats as strongly.
Overall, behavioral studies suggest red appears dull or indistinct to cats instead of bold and intense. Their reactions imply deficiencies in seeing red hues.
How Cats Distinguish Color
Although cats see red differently, they still have color vision. So how do cats distinguish between colors? Here are the main ways:
Shade
With only two cone types, cats are limited to seeing colors along a green-blue spectrum. Redder or yellower shades are classed as green while purpler shades are classed as blue. This still allows some color discrimination.
Saturation
Cats can distinguish saturated, intense shades of green-blue from weaker, greyish shades. The vividness of color is another cue.
Brightness
The brightness or intensity of light also contributes to cats separating colors. This may help differentiate red hues.
Context
Finally, the context and familiarity with objects provides additional color information. Your cat knows a grey computer screen looks different from green grass for example.
So while cats have limited color vision overall, they use multiple visual cues to identify familiar colors in their environment.
How Cats Use Color Vision
Seeing color has several advantages for cats when hunting, recognizing objects, and more:
Enhanced detail
Color allows cats to see subtle textures, patterns, and details on surfaces like fur. Even limited color adds useful visual information.
Detecting motion
Spotting moving objects is easier when color contrasts with the background. Green grass may make a red mouse pop out.
Identifying objects
Familiar objects have characteristic colors that cats can recognize, even if their hues look duller. Your cat knows its purple toy looks different from a brown bed.
Communication
Cats use color signals like the black and orange of a calico cat’s coat when communicating with other cats.
So despite seeing red differently, cats take advantage of color cues in their vision. It provides vital information when hunting, playing, and interacting with objects and other cats in their environment. Limited color perception is better than none at all.
Human vs. Cat Color Perception
Humans have a major advantage in seeing red hues vividly. Side by side comparisons reveal big perceptual differences:
| Human Perception | Cat Perception | |
| Red | Bright, saturated | Dark, dull, grey |
| Green | Distinct green hue | Green hue |
| Blue | Distinct blue hue | Blue hue |
| Purple | Mixture of blue and red | Blue hue only |
Humans see red as a vivid, intense color that stands out. Cats likely see red as far less conspicuous or saturated, reducing its visual impact. Overall, the human eye distinguishes many more colors thanks to three cone types versus two in cats.
Cat Color Vision Compared to Other Animals
Among mammals, cats have medium color vision abilities:
– More advanced: Primates, dogs, humans
– Similar: Ferrets, raccoons, skunks
– Less advanced: Rats, mice, rabbits
Primates evolved excellent color vision with red cones for finding fruits in forests. Dogs evolved additional red cones compared to cats, possibly for seeing blood during hunting or for communication. Most mammals are dichromats like cats. However, many fish, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates see more complex colors than humans can imagine with tetrachromatic vision or more! So cats have decent mammalian color vision but are less advanced than many other groups.
Can Cats Be Colorblind? Cat Color Vision Defects
Like humans, cats can sometimes be colorblind, seeing only in shades of grey. There are two main causes:
Lack of Cones
If cats lack most cone cells from birth defects, trauma, or age-related degeneration, they become totally colorblind. This complete color blindness is rare in cats though.
Cone Dysfunction
More commonly, issues with cone cells cause red-green color blindness. If one cone type is disabled, cats cannot distinguish reds and greens. This would make cats effectively red-green colorblind like some humans. Genetic mutations might cause cone issues.
However, full colorblindness is unlikely since it would seriously impact hunting ability. It may be selected against evolutionarily. Milder color defects are probably more common. Owners can test cats for colorblindness using colored toys. Most cats have retained some useful color vision.
Do Cat Breeds See Color Differently?
There is little evidence that cat breeds differ significantly in color vision. All domestic cats likely share a common ancestor from Near Eastern wildcats. There has been limited reason for breed-based color vision evolution.
However, some hypotheses exist:
– Siamese cats may see blue hues more vividly due to a mutation causing greater blue cone sensitivity. This could heighten their blue-eyed appearance.
– White cat breeds with blue eyes may have poorer daytime vision due to cellular defects affecting cones. However, data is lacking.
Overall, cat breeds probably see color similarly, except rare defects in certain lines. Tabby vision likely resembles Siamese vision quite closely. More research on cat breed variations could prove interesting!
Do Gender, Age, or Neuter Status Affect Cat Color Vision?
It is unknown if gender, age, or reproductive status significantly impacts cat color perception. However, some potential influences exist:
– Gender – Female mammals sometimes have superior color vision. It may aid in finding mates or nourishment for offspring. Female cats might conceivably see a wider range of hues.
– Age – Older cats may experience some color perception loss as cones degrade with age. Declining vision could dull color intensity.
– Neuter status – Hormones like testosterone can theoretically influence cone densities and color vision. Neutered cats may see colors differently.
But overall, these factors likely do not cause major shifts in cat color perception compared to humans. All healthy cats probably see red with similar deficiencies.
How to Test Your Cat’s Color Vision
Cat owners can assess their pet’s color vision using simple homemade tests:
– Place strongly colored toys on similar colored backgrounds. See if your cat can distinguish them based on color.
– Dangle red, green, and blue string in front of your cat. Watch if your cat responds differently to the red string’s motion.
– Cover treats with different colored plastic covers. Time how long it takes your cat to remove the covers. Expect slower times on red.
– Flash different colored lights and watch if your cat blinks. Blinking suggests the colors look distinct.
Consult a vet if your cat struggles with colored object discrimination. But most house cats likely see colors well enough to function. Their world simply looks a bit less vivid and saturated than ours!
Improving Life for Colorblind Cats
For cats with color vision issues, owners can help them adapt:
– Increase color contrast between objects, walls, and floors to make navigation easier. Avoid red on red.
– Use scent, sound, and touch to indicate important objects like food bowls and litter boxes. Don’t rely on color only.
– Monitor their interactions with other pets in case they struggle with social cues involving color.
– Open curtains during daylight to provide more brightness cues. Keep night lighting clear.
– Avoid colored toys that are hard to track visually. Go for balls, strings, and textures instead.
With simple environmental adjustments, colorblind cats can live perfectly normal lives indoors. Their other keen senses compensate well.
Conclusion
The human experience of vivid red hues is foreign to cats. While cats can distinguish some colors, they see red differently due to lacking red-specific cone cells. Red appears dull and difficult to separate from greenish hues. This impacts how cats perceive objects and interact with their environments. However, cats make excellent use of more saturated blues and greens in their limited color vision. And minor color defects rarely handicap house cats, thanks to their adaptability. So while we imagine our red feed bowl pops out to cats, in their eyes, it likely blends in!
