Humans enjoy a wide array of rich colors, ranging from deep purples to bright reds. However, some individuals might struggle with color perception due to certain visual impairments.

When it comes to animals, their view of the world is quite different. For instance, dogs have only two types of color-detecting cones in their eyes, leading to a “dichromatic vision.”

What about our feline friends?

Cats are adept at moving in low-light situations, but their perception of color is not as vibrant as ours. Just how limited is their color vision?

Which colors can cats perceive?

The retina uses specific cells called “cones” to differentiate colors, as explained by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Humans have three different types of cones: those that detect red, green, and blue hues.

Cats also have similar types of cones, but this similarity does not imply identical color vision, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.

However, cats’ ability to perceive color is limited. According to Purina, humans possess ten times more cone cells than cats do, allowing us to see a broader spectrum of colors.

While researchers have not pinpointed the exact colors cats can see, it is believed that they can perceive shades of blue, green, gray, and yellow, as reported by Purina.

What does a cat’s vision look like?

According to Purina, feline vision is comparable to that of a person who is colorblind. Cats perceive “soft tones of blue, yellow, green, and gray.” Reds and pinks may appear greenish to them, while purple can be mistaken for blue.

Although cats cannot see as many colors as humans, their light sensitivity is superior.

During the day, feline pupils constrict to block some light, and they widen at night to gather more illumination, as noted by Purina. Additionally, cats have a higher number of rod cells than humans, which enhance their ability to see in low light and contribute to their peripheral vision, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

National Geographic states that cats have the capacity to see up to six times better than an average human in dark conditions.