The essentials
- Dogs can see color — They’re not colorblind, but they are limited in what colors they can see.
- Dogs can see yellows and blues — Reds and greens are indistinguishable, so choose toys in yellows and blues.
- Their vision is better in low light — They have better senses than humans, including depth perception.
For years, we believed that dogs only saw in black and white. However, new research suggests that dogs see colors, just not in the way humans do. While humans can see a wide range of colors on the spectrum, your dog’s color vision is limited to only a few colors.
How dogs see color
A dog’s view of the color world is more muted than ours. Some studies indicate their vision might be similar to someone who’s colorblind. Dogs have dichromatic vision, which means colors like red and orange appear in different shades of yellow, and colors like blue-green and violet appear in different saturations of blue.
While humans can see the full spectrum of vibrant colors, dogs see only shades limited to blues and yellows. For example, to a dog, red may look dark brown-gray, while shades of orange and green all look similar to shades of yellow. If your dog struggles to find a red or green ball in the grass, this is why.
Your dog’s vision vs yours
Humans and animals have specialized retina color receptor cells called cones, and any animal with cones can see some colors. When incoming light and stimuli trigger these cone cells, they send signals to the brain that allow for the perception of color. While human eyes have three types of cones — red, blue, and yellow — dogs’ eyes only have blue and yellow, making red, green, and orange all appear the same.
Dogs also have more rods than humans, another part of the retina, allowing them to see better in dim lighting. Your dog may notice a bird flying or a small animal running, even at night when we can’t see it.
What colors you see versus what colors your dog sees
The best colors for dog toys
Many dog toys come in bright red, which your dog likely has trouble seeing because it blends in with the grass. If you want to ensure your dog can see their new toy — especially outside — go with something blue or yellow instead.
Here are some blue and yellow toys for all types and sizes of dogs:
- Blue Nylabone for power chewers. This beef-flavored Nylabone comes in two sizes, small and large. This bone is easy to see, great for aggressive chewers, and cleans their teeth as they chew.
- Blue KONG for puppies or small dogs. This KONG toy is light baby blue and is suitable for dogs and puppies ranging from extra small to large. Stuff it with dog-safe treats, or bounce it around in the yard.
- Yellow Tuffy’s plush frisbee. For active, high-energy dogs or dogs that love fuzzy toys, this plush frisbee comes in both yellow and blue. So whether you play with your pup inside or take them outside, they can spot this against the grass.
- Blue Outward Hound ball. Squeaky and tough, you can play fetch in the grass or the water. It’s buoyant, pet-safe, and non-toxic, made with latex-free, BPA-free and phthalate-free material.
- Blue and orange Chuckit! Balls. For dogs that love to play, these blue squeaky balls can be used indoors or out. They are buoyant and come in a variety of sizes, perfect for any sized dog.
- Yellow Jax and Bones rope toy. This yellow giraffe rope toy is safe, chemical-free, non-toxic, and colored with vegetable dyes. Soak it in water and freeze it for a teething puppy toy or a cool, fun treat in the summertime.
- Blue Dr. Catch puzzle toy. For dogs needing more mental stimulation, this puzzle toy keeps your dog interested and engaged while searching for food. The blue color also makes it easier for them to see.
Does dog breed impact if they can see in color?
While breed does not impact if a dog can see in color, it does affect their vision. The location of dogs’ eyes impacts how much and where their vision focuses. The average dog has a field of vision of 250 degrees, brachycephalic breeds with 220 degrees, and sighthounds with roughly 270 degrees.
Breeds with narrower faces and longer noses, like greyhounds, have a broad field of vision with extensive peripheral vision. Brachycephalic breeds, like pugs with shorter faces and eyes near the sides of their heads, have a field of vision that allows them to focus on what’s in front of them rather than their peripherals.
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Frequently asked questions
Can dogs see in the dark?
Dogs can see in the dark due to the higher number of rods in their retina than humans.
Do dogs see in black and white?
Dogs see in color. However, their color spectrum is limited to varying shades of yellows and blues.
What is a dog’s vision like?
A dog’s vision usually allows them to see in 20/75, versus humans, which typically have 20/20. Some dogs have better visual acuity than others, which may be closer to a human’s.
What do dogs see when they look at humans?
Dogs see a range of browns, yellows, and blues when they look at humans. They may also pay attention to your eyes and facial expressions.
What color do dogs see best?
Dogs see blues, purples, and yellows best.
