What Colors Do Dogs See? A Science-Based Guide
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Dogs are not limited to black and white. Research supports dichromatic color vision, with blue-yellow discrimination and weaker red-green discrimination. Color is only part of how dogs navigate; contrast, motion, brightness and scent also matter.
Key Takeaways:
- Dogs have excellent eyesight, but see a limited color spectrum compared to us, as their eyes are built differently.
- As they have dichromatic vision, dogs can see yellows and blues, but lack perception of reds and greens.
- Though they see fewer colors, dogs’ eyes see more clearly than ours in low-light conditions, and they’re quick to spot small movements at long distances.
While humans see a rainbow of colors ranging from red to violet, dogs see mostly in yellows and blues, with the rest in brown and gray.
Their eyes are biologically different to ours in interesting ways, meaning they see a narrower spectrum of colors than we do.
But, as you’ll know if you have a dog yourself, this doesn’t mean their perception of the world is hindered. Their ability to spot movement at distance and see in low-light conditions is hugely impressive compared to what we can see!
In this article, we get more in-depth about what colors dogs can see, the science behind how dogs’ eyes differ from ours, and what you can do to improve your dog’s vision and eye health.
Are dogs color blind?
Dogs are considered color blind in a certain sense. Just like a color blind person, their eyes aren’t built to detect reds and greens. Scientific studies into a dog’s vision have so far shown that the only colors dogs can see are yellows and blues, while everything else fades into brown or gray.
Do dogs see in black and white?
No - a peer-reviewed study back in 1989 (1) disproved the myth that dogs only see in black and white, and found that they also see some color, mostly yellows and blues.
Many colors that we can see, however - such as reds, oranges, purples, and greens - appear as shades of gray or brown to a dog (which is likely how the black and white myth came about).
How the dog's eye works differently from humans
If we unpack the science, a dog’s eye is built differently from a human eye...
The human eye contains three types of color-detecting cone cells, which collectively perceive our full color spectrum: red to violet, and all the rainbow colors in between. This is called trichromatic vision.
Meanwhile, dogs see with two types of color-detecting cones, called dichromatic vision. This means they lack perception of red and green, and associated colors like orange, pink and purple.
However, dogs have more rod cells than humans, and a mirrored layer over the eyeball called the tapetum lucidum. These differences make them super skilled at detecting movement in low light compared to us.
Can dogs see as well as humans?
They may see fewer colors than us, but dogs still have an excellent scope of the world around them, for these reasons...
Their detection of movement is much sharper than a human’s.
They have better vision in low light than we do, meaning they can spot predators, threats, or intruders in the dark, and get around at night relatively easily.
Dogs don’t see as fine a detail as we do, but recent studies have shown that they do have higher visual acuity, or sharpness, than initially thought (2).
Sighthounds (the clue’s in the name!) are known for having a heightened perception of long-distance movement - breeds like Greyhounds, Whippets and Afghan Hounds.
Their sense of smell can be up to 100,000 times stronger than ours, depending on breed (take a bow, Bloodhounds and Beagles); so what they can’t quite see, they can easily sniff out instead.
What colors do dogs see best?
Let’s get into more detail on the colors dogs can and can’t see...
Can dogs see red?
No - dogs’ eyes don’t detect reds and greens, much like a color blind human. Reds are likely to show up as brown, muddy yellow or gray to a dog’s vision, without the bright ‘pop’ of color that we’re used to seeing.
Can dogs see green?
No - dogs can’t see greens. Their dichromatic vision means they lack perception of reds and greens, and shades of green will show to a dog as murky browns or grays. This is why they might not be able to find their tennis ball straight away!
Can dogs see orange?
No - orange isn’t a color dogs can perceive that well. Their eyes are attuned to yellows and blues, so oranges will show up to a dog as a muted gold or tan color.
Can dogs see blue?
Can dogs see yellow?
Yes, dogs can see yellow. It’s one of the colors they can see clearly, alongside blue. A neon yellow tennis ball will show up clearly to them if you play fetch, whereas a red ball might be harder for them to see.
Can dogs see pink?
No, a dog’s eye can’t see shades of pink, orange or red very easily - as they have dichromatic vision which lacks perception of reds and greens. Pink might look like a muted gold, brown, gray or tan shade to a dog.
Can dogs see purple?
No - a purple object will likely seem blue to a dog. Their eyes can see yellows and blues, so the reddish tones that make an object look purple are unlikely to come through.
Can dogs see in the dark?
They may not be as night-sighted as a cat or an owl, but it’s true that dogs can see better in low light conditions than humans can.
Do dogs have better night vision than humans?
Yes, dogs can see in the dark a few levels more clearly than humans.
Though their perception of colors is limited due to having only two cone cells, they do have more rod cellsthan humans, which detect movement in lower-light conditions.
There’s also an extra layer in their eye called the tapetum lucidum, which is almost like a mirror that bounces light off their eye twice when they see something.
In simplistic terms, this means they get double the chance to detect night-time movement (3). You can even see the tapetum lucidum yourself when your dog’s eyes ‘glow’ in the dark.
Keeping your dog's eyes healthy
A dog’s eyes are only as powerful as their overall health, so what are the best foods to keep your dog’s eyes and vision top-notch? Let’s get into the nutrients that can support great eye health in dog.
What food helps support dog eye health?
Cooked eggs contain vitamin A and zinc, known to support eye health. Vitamin A is essential for producing rhodopsin, the pigment in the eye that improves low-light vision, and also helps maintain the health of the cornea and the surface tissues of the eye. Zinc supports the retina directly and helps with the absorption of vitamin A.
Small amounts of Liver, Beef, or Lamb also contain vitamin A and zinc.
Leafy greens like Spinach and Kale contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that concentrate in the retina and protect against retinal damage.
Carrots and Sweet Potatoes are full of beta-carotene, which helps a dog’s body absorb vitamin A, the superpower eye nutrient.
Blueberries, packed with antioxidants and vitamin C to support blood vessel health in the eyes and prevent retinal damage.
References:
‘Color vision in the dog’, 1989 - Vis Neurosci, Pub Med.
‘High visual acuity in dogs’, 2017 -PLOS ONE 12, no. 12.
‘Spatial relationships among the cellular tapetum, visual streak and rod density in dogs’, 2015 - Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, Volume 77, Issue 2.
How to use color when choosing dog gear
Start with the place where the item will be used. A blue toy can stand out against green grass, while a yellow toy may be easier to distinguish on a dark floor. A red ball may look vivid to a person but blend into a grassy background for a dog. Color is not the only variable: a moving object, a reflective strip, a high difference in brightness, a familiar smell or a distinctive texture may be just as useful.
For fetch, compare two otherwise similar toys in different colors. Place them the same distance away in stable lighting and alternate sides across several short sessions. Record whether your dog locates one faster, but do not interpret a single choice as a clinical vision test. Scent residue, preference, learning history and small changes in movement can affect the result. Use the observation to improve play, not to diagnose eyesight.
Visibility checklist for everyday situations
- Choose blue or yellow markers for training when the background is red, green or brown.
- Use strong light-dark contrast on steps, ramps and the edges of platforms.
- Keep food and water stations in consistent, well-lit positions.
- Add texture and scent cues for dogs that also have reduced visual acuity.
- Check that collars, leashes and safety gear remain visible to people in traffic or low light; human visibility requirements are different from a dog's color perception.
A dog that starts bumping into objects, hesitates in familiar spaces, misses moving toys, develops eye redness or cloudiness, squints or shows discharge needs a veterinary eye examination. Changing toy color is an environmental adjustment, not treatment for an eye condition. Sudden vision change is especially important to assess promptly.
Trusted research
Neitz, Geist and Jacobs: Color vision in the dog
Related guides: dog eye health, dog enrichment games and dog lifestyle.