What is the vision of cats compared to dogs? - briefly
Cats have superior night vision and a wider field of view, while dogs excel in motion detection and have better vision in low light compared to humans.
What is the vision of cats compared to dogs? - in detail
Cats and dogs possess distinct visual adaptations that reflect their evolutionary needs and behaviors. Cats are crepuscular hunters, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. Their vision is optimized for low-light conditions, allowing them to detect movement and navigate in dim environments. Cats have a high number of rod cells in their retinas, which are sensitive to low light, but fewer cone cells, resulting in less acute color vision. They are thought to see primarily in shades of blue and green, with limited ability to distinguish reds. Cats also have a reflective layer behind their retinas called the tapetum lucidum, which enhances night vision by reflecting light back through the retina. Their field of view is approximately 200 degrees, slightly wider than that of humans, and they have excellent depth perception for pouncing on prey.
Dogs, on the other hand, are more versatile in their activity patterns, being active both during the day and night. Their vision is adapted to a broader range of lighting conditions but is less specialized for low-light environments compared to cats. Dogs have fewer rod cells than cats but more than humans, giving them decent night vision. Their color perception is limited, with most dogs seeing the world in shades of blue and yellow, as they lack the cone cells to perceive red and green. Dogs have a wider field of view than cats, ranging from 240 to 270 degrees, depending on the breed, which aids in their role as hunters and guardians. However, their depth perception is generally less precise than that of cats.
Both cats and dogs rely on motion detection more than fine detail, as their eyes are more attuned to detecting movement than static objects. Cats excel in low-light environments and have superior night vision, while dogs have a broader field of view and are more adaptable to varying light conditions. These differences in vision reflect their respective roles as stealthy, solitary hunters (cats) and social, versatile hunters or guardians (dogs).