What colors do cats understand? - briefly
Cats are known for their color vision being primarily designed for detecting movement rather than distinguishing between different hues. They can see blues and yellows best, while reds and greens appear more muted or even indistinguishable from one another.
What colors do cats understand? - in detail
Cats, like humans, have color vision, but their ability to perceive and distinguish colors is different from ours. Humans are trichromatic, meaning we have three types of cone cells in our eyes that detect short (blue), medium (green), and long (red) wavelengths of light. Cats, on the other hand, are thought to be dichromatic, which means they have only two types of cone cells: one for blue and another for green/yellow. This dichromacy allows cats to distinguish blues and yellows but not reds or greens.
The feline visual system is adapted for low-light conditions, which is crucial for their nocturnal hunting habits. The tapetum lucidum, a reflective layer behind the retina, enhances light absorption and improves night vision. However, this adaptation comes at the cost of reduced color perception compared to humans.
Studies have shown that cats can see shades of blue and yellow more distinctly than other colors. This is why toys and objects designed for cats often incorporate these colors. The ability to distinguish between blues and yellows helps cats identify potential prey or other important visual cues in their environment.
In addition to the two cone types, cats also have rod cells that are highly sensitive to light. These rod cells allow cats to see well in low-light conditions but do not contribute significantly to color perception. Overall, while cats may not perceive colors as vividly or with the same range as humans, their visual system is finely tuned for their unique needs and lifestyle.