ARE DOGS ACTUALLY COLOR BLIND OR CAN THEY SEE SOME COLORS?
Dogs are not completely color blind, but they do not see colors in the same way that humans do. Humans have three types of color-sensitive cells (called cones) in their eyes, which allow us to see a wide range of colors. Dogs, on the other hand, have only two types of cones, which means they are less sensitive to colors and cannot see the full spectrum of colors that humans can.
Research suggests that dogs can see some colors, but their color perception is limited to shades of blue and yellow. They are not able to distinguish between red and green, for example, and may see these colors as shades of gray. As longtime pet parents it baffles us all the time when we see SO many pet toy manufacturers making toys in colors that they cannot even ‘SEE’.
* So, knowing this about dogs, we might suggest that you choose toys for them in Colors that they can actually see and perceive the variations in, rather than choosing toys that they have a hard time distinguishing ‘color’ in.
Despite their limited color perception, dogs have excellent vision in low light conditions and are able to see better than humans in dim light. They also have a wider field of view and better able to detect ‘movement’/motion detection than humans, which makes them well-suited for activities such as hunting and tracking and activities that take place before dusk and dawn. They are able to detect prey and other ‘potential’ threats from a ‘greater’ distance, making them well suited for activities such as guarding, as well as the things we mentioned earlier- hunting and tracking.
Dogs are fascinating animals with incredible visual abilities that are different from humans. While they are not able to see the full spectrum of colors that humans can, they do have some color vision and can see shades of blue and yellow, and since blue and yellow make green they can distinguish some colors of green as well.
In summary, while dogs may not have the same level of color vision as humans, they have other visual abilities that make them well-suited for their environment and the activities they engage in. It's fascinating to consider the different ways that animals perceive the world around us, and dogs are a great example of how visual abilities can be adapted to suit specific needs in various species of animals.
