Cats and humans see the world differently. Cats have vision that is adapted for hunting small prey in low light conditions, while human vision is tuned for color perception in bright daylight. This leads to major differences in the number of colors cats can see compared to humans.
How many colors can humans see?
Humans are trichromats, meaning they have three types of color receptive cones in their eyes. These cones are sensitive to short (blue), medium (green), and long (red) wavelengths of light. The three cone types allow humans to perceive the full range of colors from red to violet.
The human eye can detect around 10 million different colors under ideal lighting conditions. However, the ability to discriminate between similar shades is limited. On average, humans can only differentiate between about 1 million different colors.
How many colors can cats see?
Cats are believed to be dichromats, meaning they have only two types of cone cells in their eyes. These are sensitive to blue and green wavelengths of light. Having two cone cell types gives cats the ability to perceive colors along the blue-yellow color axis. However, they cannot discriminate between red and green hues.
Some experts estimate cats can see somewhere between 45,000 to 200,000 different colors. Their color vision is limited compared to humans, but well-suited to their predatory lifestyle. The ability to detect subtle movements and shapes is more important for hunting than discerning a wide spectrum of colors.
Key differences in cat and human color vision
| Vision Feature | Cats | Humans |
|---|---|---|
| Cone cell types | 2 | 3 |
| Color spectrum | Blue to yellow | Red to violet |
| Estimated number of colors | 45,000 – 200,000 | 1 – 10 million |
| Color perception | Limited, see some colors | Full color vision |
| Night vision | Excellent | Poor |
| Motion detection | High sensitivity | Moderate sensitivity |
As the table summarizes, the key differences between cat and human color vision include:
– Cats only have 2 types of cone cells compared to 3 in humans
– Cats can only perceive colors along the blue to yellow axis
– Cats see a more limited range of colors, estimated between 45,000 – 200,000
– Humans have full color vision spanning from red to violet
– Cats have superior low light and motion detection vision
Why do cats see less colors than humans?
There are a few key reasons cats see fewer colors than humans:
Cats are crepuscular hunters
Crepuscular animals are most active at dawn and dusk. As cats evolved for hunting at night and low light, they sacrificed some color vision abilities for improved night vision and motion detection. These were more beneficial for catching prey at night or in thick brush.
Cats lack red cone cells
The lack of red cones in cats eyes significantly limits their color perception range. Red cones allow humans to see warmer reds, oranges, and yellows. Without them, cats have a “cooler” blue-green color palette.
Cats have a high density of rods
Rods are photoreceptor cells specialized for peripheral and nighttime vision. The area of high rod density, called the visual streak, is larger in cats than in humans. More rods improves motion detection but reduces the area of central, color-sensing cone cells.
Cat brains are less devoted to vision
Only about 30% of a cats brain is devoted to vision compared to 50% for human brains. Cat brains prioritize auditory cues, spatial awareness, and other senses over color discrimination.
Cat color vision compared to other animals
Cat color vision is somewhat limited compared to many animals. Here’s how it stacks up against other species:
Vs. dogs
Like cats, dogs only have two types of cone cells and can only see blue and yellow. However, dogs have fewer overall rods and cones. Dogs see even fewer colors than cats – an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 shades.
Vs. birds
Many birds are tetrachromats with four cone cell types specialized for ultraviolet, red, green, and blue light detection. This allows birds to discriminate many more colors than cats or humans – over 100 million different shades.
Vs. reptiles and fish
Most reptiles and fish can only detect shades of gray, though some species have limited color vision. Even those with minimal color perception have fewer photoreceptors than cats.
Vs. nocturnal species
Species fully adapted for night vision, like owls and bats, often see only in black and white. Nocturnal animal vision prioritizes light sensitivity and motion cues over color. In this regard, cats have superior color perception compared to these strictly nocturnal species.
Do cat color limitations affect their vision?
While cats don’t see the full spectrum of colors humans can perceive, their vision is well-adapted to their needs. The limited color range does not impair their ability to:
– Hunt and capture prey
– Recognize objects
– Differentiate between edible and inedible foods
– Identify other cats, people, and animals
– Navigate through their environment
In fact, a cat’s vision exceeds human capabilities in many aspects like night vision, peripheral vision, and motion detection. Their visual acuity is adapted for the stimuli most crucial to cats, even if color discrimination is limited.
How to tell what colors cats can see
It can be tricky to tell exactly what colors cats can and cannot see. However, some general rules can help determine which hues are visible to cats:
– Blues, grays, whites, and yellows are likely visible
– Red and vivid pinks may appear dark or black
– Purple ranges from blue to black
– Oranges and browns could appear yellow or green
– Bright and highly saturated colors are easier to see
Conducting experiments with various colored objects, walls, toys, and treats can help test a cat’s reactions to specific shades. Their vision range likely includes cooler shades of blue, green, and yellow.
Do cat toys need color for enrichment?
Since cats have limited color perception, toys do not necessarily need bright, varied colors for cats to enjoy them. Simple balls, tubes, and wands with movement are often more enriching than stationary colorful toys.
However, interactive treat toys with contrasting colors can encourage play. Blues and yellows are visible to cats and make food puzzles more engaging. Food containers, like puzzle feeders, in lighter shades can also highlight the food rewards.
Conclusion
While humans enjoy full color vision, cats only see shades of blue, green and yellow. With just 2 types of cone cells compared to humans’ 3, cats can only discriminate around 45,000 to 200,000 different colors compared to 1 to 10 million for humans. However, cats evolved excellent night vision and motion detection critical for hunting instead of extensive color perception. So while cats miss out on all the shades of red and purple humans can appreciate, their cool-colored vision is finely tuned to their needs and not a true limitation or handicap.
