Key Takeaways
What colors can cats see? Cats are not color blind. They see a limited range of colors, mostly blue and yellow.
Their color vision is similar to red-green colorblind humans, and they likely rely more on movement and brightness rather than vibrant hues.
Light quality matters. LEDs are believed to be better than fluorescents for feline comfort.
Understanding their vision helps you choose better toys, enrich their environment, and see the world through their (less detailed, near sighted) eyes.
You’ve probably heard the myth: cats only see in black and white. But is that true, or just another internet rumor that refuses to die like an indestructible laser pointer dot? You’ve likely asked yourself the question, “What colors can cats see?”
Let’s clear things up once and for all, because your cat deserves the spotlight and the truth.
Quick Look: What Colors Can Cats See?
Cats do see in color, but not the way humans do. Their world is less like an old black-and-white movie and more like a mildly desaturated color filter. Think pastel colors.
Welcome to the Cat’s Eye View
Imagine trying to pick your favorite toy if all your options looked like variations of the same sad gray. That’s not the case for cats. They’re not totally color-blind; they’re just built differently.
Cats have what scientists call dichromatic vision, meaning they can detect two color ranges instead of the three that humans see. While we humans bask in the rainbow (thanks to our red, green, and blue cone receptors), cats are rocking a more minimalist palette: blue and yellow.
Red? Nope. Orange? Not really. Purple? That’s just a weird blue. Green? Probably, but it might look gray-blue.
In a nutshell:
Cats see blue and yellow
Maybe see some green appearing more grayish
Cannot distinguish red, orange, or pink
In fact, a cat’s color vision is similar to a red-green colorblind person. Think of it as a simplified version of human color vision; less vibrant, but still colorful.
How Scientists Figured This Out
Back in 1915, a curious experiment involved placing food under colored glasses to see if cats could choose the right one. The cats? They did okay. Kind of. Results were… fuzzy. Researchers determined that cats have “very defective daylight vision as compared to humans.”
For decades, scientists couldn’t agree. Some studies in the 1950s and ’60s bluntly concluded: “Cats are color blind. End of story.”
But fast-forward to the 1960s and1970s and beyond, and new research began challenging the old views. By studying how cats’ eyes absorb light, and how they behave in color-based tests, scientists discovered:
Cats have two types of cone photoreceptors (blue and yellow range).
Their peak vision is in the 440 and 555 nm wavelengths: aka blue and yellow light.
The mystery of feline vision is still ongoing, but the consensus is clear: cats see color, just not the full rainbow.
So yes, your cat is color-aware. Just… not seeing the world in dazzling high-def like we do.
How Lighting Affects What Cats See
Here’s a wild fact: what your cat sees depends a lot on lighting. Unlike humans, cats are night-vision champions, thanks to their high concentration of rod receptors. Their night vision is 6x better than yours.
But in daylight? Not so great. Cats have a visual sharpness of 20/150, which means they need to be about seven times closer to an object than a human to see it clearly (i.e., near-sighted). That colorful feather toy you’re waving? Your cat might just see a blur with a hint of blue. And under flickering fluorescent lights or TV screens? That blur might appear to flicker constantly, like an old film reel struggling to keep up. Cats detect flickers up to 80 Hz; way beyond our 45 Hz limit. This may be annoying for cats.
Tip for cat owners: Go easy on the fluorescent bulbs. LEDs or warm incandescent lighting may be easier on their eyes and less annoying.
Why Cat Color Vision Matters for Pet Owners
You might be wondering: “Okay, but does this change how I care for my cat?”
It just might!
Toy shopping tip: Choose toys that are blue or yellow. Your cat will see them more clearly than red or pink.
Decor choices: Avoid relying on color alone when picking pet items; focus on scent, sound, and texture too.
Enrichment: Visual stimulation is more effective when it’s movement-based. As more research discovers more about cats and their vision, we will better understand cat preferences helping us make better choices when it comes to comfort, and enriching environments and activities.
Plus, knowing how your cat sees helps you better understand how they navigate and experience the world on their terms.
The Final Word On Cat Vision (For Now…)
Science still has questions about cat vision. Even in 2016, researchers admitted we don’t know exactly how cats see. Therefore, the question “What colors can cats see?” is still relevant to researchers. But we’ve come a long way from the outdated “cats see black and white” myth.
Next, we need to explore whether cats have color preferences and how different colors might influence their emotions and behavior. While current research is limited, some studies suggest cats may prefer the color blue or green. Even though it is not believed that cats can see orange, orange lights have been implicated in calming cats in a shelter setting. More evidence is needed before we can draw firm conclusions.
Why does this matter? Understanding feline preferences and how they connect to behavioral and physiological responses can have real-world implications. Imagine a stressed cat in a shelter or veterinary clinic. Thoughtful choices in color and lighting may help reduce anxiety and improve overall wellbeing.
In shelters, these decisions could even be life-saving. For facilities where euthanasia is practiced, reducing stress and improving acclimation might increase a cat’s chances of adoption. In fact, a 2014 study found that shelter environment influences how quickly cats acclimate; an important factor when making euthanasia decisions. Another study from 2024 acknowledged shelter lights and color impact feline stress levels stating that“high stress in cats increases health risks and undesirable behaviors and is associated with reduced adoptions.” This directly impacts that fate of the kitties: “Over 50% of healthy and adoptable cats with extended shelter stays are euthanized yearly.”
Curious About Cats? So Are We.
At Burnell Pets, we love digging into the science behind your pets, and turning it into stories you’ll actually enjoy reading. Want more myth-busting, brain-tickling, tail-wagging content?
Cats’ unique view of color reminds us there’s more to their world than meets the eye. Stay curious and keep learning with us.