Have you ever wondered what the world looks like through a cat’s eyes? Many people think cats only see in black and white, but that’s not true. While cats can’t experience the full range of colors that humans can, they are still able to perceive certain hues—just in a different way. Understanding which colors cats can see can help pet owners choose better toys, interact with them more effectively, and ultimately strengthen their bond.

How Do Cats See Colors?

To understand how cats see colors, we need to start with the biology of their eyes. The retina, located at the back of the eyeball, contains two main types of photoreceptor cells: rods and cones.

Rod cells are responsible for vision and motion detection in low-light environments.

Cone cells handle color vision and fine detail perception, working best under bright light.

Since cats have fewer cone cells than humans, their range of color perception is much narrower than ours.

What Colors Can Cats See?

Different researchers have provided different answers, but their findings can be summarized as blue, yellow, gray, and green.

Cats have trouble distinguishing red and purple. To them, red objects may appear dark gray or even green, while purple may look dull or bluish.

This means that bright red toys may not appear as vivid to cats as they do to you. Instead, blue or yellow objects are more likely to catch their attention.

How Is a Cat’s Vision Different from a Human’s?

The differences between human and feline vision go far beyond color. Humans have sharp central vision and perceive a wide range of vibrant colors, while cats excel in motion detection and night vision. Their retinas contain more rod cells than ours, allowing them to detect subtle movements even in low light. This provides cats an advantage in dim environments like dusk or nighttime, where humans can barely see.

However, this advantage comes with a trade-off. Cats’ vision isn’t as sharp as ours. While humans can see clearly from 100 feet (about 30 meters) away, cats can only see clearly from a distance of about 6 to 20 feet (1.8 to 6 meters). Beyond that range, their world becomes slightly blurry—and so do objects that are very close.

Why Is a Cat’s Color Perception So Important?

Although cats don’t rely on color as much as humans do, color perception still plays a vital role in their daily lives. It helps them recognize safe environments and familiar objects and interact effectively with their surroundings. For example, being able to distinguish between blue and green can help a cat spot prey in the grass or notice a toy on a blue carpet.

Additionally, understanding how cats perceive color is essential for cat owners. Choosing toys or accessories in colors cats can easily see—such as blue or green—can enrich their play experience and keep them mentally stimulated. Avoid red or purple toys, as these colors may appear dull or blend into the background.