What colors can cats see? 3 things you may not know

Cats and dogs have better night vision than humans, but they can’t see as many colors as we can. Let’s find out with Petlandlove what colors can cats see!

Why is that?

Contrary to popular belief, cats can actually see some colors, although not as vividly as humans. While humans have three types of cone receptors in their eyes that allow them to see red, green, and blue, cats also have three color receptors but in a different way.

The main distinction between human and cat vision lies in the retina, which is a layer at the back of the eye containing photoreceptor cells. These cells convert light into electrical signals, which are then processed by nerve cells, transmitted to the brain, and interpreted as images.

There are two types of photoreceptor cells: rods and cones. Rod cells are responsible for peripheral and night vision, detecting brightness and grayscale. Cone cells, on the other hand, are sensitive to light and play a role in daytime vision and color perception. Cats have fewer cone cells compared to humans, with up to 10 times less cone cells in their eyes. Since cone cells are essential for color analysis, this means cats are less adept at seeing a wide range of colors.

So what colors can cats see?

Cats’ vision is like that of humans with color blindness. They can see shades of blue and green, but have difficulty distinguishing between red, yellow, and green colors. To cats, these colors may appear more green, while purple might look like a different shade of blue. This leads to their vision being a bit blurry and colors looking washed out.

Here are what colors can cats see clearly:

How should cat eyes be cared for?

Cats need specific nutrients to support their overall health and especially their eyesight. Taurine and L-carnitine are essential for maintaining healthy cat eyes. Taurine, found in fish, is crucial for improving cats’ vision and preventing issues like blindness. It also benefits their heart and brain development.

L-carnitine is important for both eye health and muscle growth in cats. Additionally, vitamins, Omega-3, and other nutrients can also help support your cat’s eye health.

To ensure your pet cat gets all the necessary nutrients, include properly processed meat and fish in their diet. You can also use nutritional gels designed for cats, such as Beaphar Supplement or Multivitamin for cats, to support their eye health. Eye hygiene products like Beaphar Care Eye drops for dogs and cats can also be beneficial for maintaining your cat’s eye health.