Cats are amazing creatures with equally impressive eyes. Some cat lovers think of these mysterious beings as pets of the night, nocturnal creatures wandering the dark unknown. And thanks to their special eyes, cats can easily creep through the night. 

But while they have incredible nighttime vision, they do lose out on another aspect: colors. With that said, let’s explore everything there is about what colors cats can see. 

How Can Cats See Colors?

Like humans, cats' eyes contain two types of photoreceptor cells: rods and cones. The rods are the ones that give our cats the ability to see in low light and detect motion. Cones are responsible for distinguishing colors, and they work best when in bright light. 

Cats can see well in the dark, and it’s thanks to the higher number of rod cells in their eyes. However, they do have trouble seeing the many different colors.

While humans enjoy a vibrant array of colors, cats experience a more muted palette. Their vision is more suited for detecting motion and shapes in dim lighting, a skill that would be advantageous in the wild when hunting prey at night, or just taking an adventurous stroll.

What Colors Can Cats See?

Cats can see color, just not all of them. They can see only a limited selection of colors. Their vision is based on dichromatic color perception, meaning they mainly see two primary colors. 

Essentially, they can only see colors in shades of blue, yellow, green, and gray. This means a blue toy or yellow blanket will appear distinct and noticeable to your cat. Other colors will appear muted, dull, and gray. 

So, when you toss your cat a bright red ball, it won’t stand out to them the way it does for you. They’ll still see it, especially because it’s moving.

Are Cats Color Blind?

Cats can see blue and yellow colors best. Greens will appear muted and dull, while others will look gray. So essentially, cats aren’t color blind. They just see a very limited selection of colors. 

If you want to purchase interactive toys, bowls, or bedding for your cat, it’s best to buy those that are blue or yellow in color. These stationary items will look the brightest and will stand out more than other colors. 

Do Cats Need to See Colors?

Now that we know what colors cats see, do they really need to see every spectrum of the color wheel? While color may not play as crucial a role for cats as it does for humans, it still impacts their behavior and interactions with the world around them.

Identifying Objects and Surroundings

In the wild, cats need to have perfect vision to maneuver all around and navigate through their surroundings. Being able to detect the slightest movement in low light is far more critical than distinguishing colors.

While domestic cats don’t have that same level of need, they can still benefit from identifying certain objects with colors they can see. This includes their food and water bowls, toys, platforms, and objects around the house.

Mental Stimulation

Colors are useful when you want to entice your cat with some interactive toys and fun treats. While your cat may not be drawn to a brightly colored toy for its color alone, the contrast and movements of the toy are what will catch their eye. 

For instance, a blue or yellow toy might be easier for our cats to see rather than a red or green toy on a beige carpet. 

When selecting toys or accessories for your cat, it’s a good idea to choose those in colors they can easily see. Plus, if these toys can move in unpredictable ways, then they can be very enticing for cats.