The human brain and eyes process light into colors, allowing us to perceive different shades of the rainbow. However, our furry friends don’t see quite the same way we do.
When you walk your dog, you may notice the different colors of the world: the bright green grass, the light blue sky, and the bright yellow sun. But what does this sight look like through the eyes of a dog?
It is widely believed that dogs see in black and white, and for years this idea was accepted as fact. However, recent studies have cast doubt on this and offer a different perspective on what our furry friends can see.
Can dogs see colors?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the retina uses “cones,” a special type of photoreceptor, to distinguish colors. The human eye has three types of cones: red, green, and blue.
Dogs, on the other hand, have only two types of cones in their eyes, which allow them to see blue and yellow, reports VCA Animal Hospitals. A dog’s limited color perception is called “dichromatic vision.”
What colors can dogs see?
Dogs lack red-vision cones, so their vision is similar to that of a person with red-green color blindness, according to research by Jay Neitz, a professor of ophthalmology and color vision researcher at the University of Washington.
A person with red-green color blindness confuses one color with another. For example, black may be perceived as a shade of red, while light green may be identified as yellow, reports Healthline.
It’s the same with dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, their worldview is mostly gray-brown. A red rubber ball may appear brown to a dog’s eyes. Your pup’s favorite stuffed animal, a green dinosaur, might appear yellowish to him.
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Do dogs see differently than humans?
According to a report from VCA Animal Hospitals, there are other differences in vision between humans and dogs that go beyond recognizing contrasting colors.
Dogs are more nearsighted than humans. If you and your dog look at a tree from the same distance, it may appear blurrier to them. Dogs also have better peripheral vision, according to VCA Animal Hospitals, but their depth perception is less.
Dogs are also less sensitive to changes in brightness, so what you perceive as a distinct color appears more muted to your four-legged friend.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What colors can dogs see? How your pet’s vision differs from yours
