From our perspective, cat eyes are one of their most beautiful attributes – their eyes are big and shiny, and the colors of cats’ eyes often vary! But did you ever wonder if cats can see color – or if cats are color blind like many other animals?

How cats see the world: Can cats see color? If they can, what colors can cats see?

Contrary to popular belief, cats don’t see purely shades of black and white! However, cats can’t see colors the same way we humans do! This is mainly due to the anatomical differences.

Visual field

Visual field refers to the clear area that your sight focuses on. For instance, you can focus on a specific object in the center of your room. You’ll notice that your peripheral view isn’t as clear as what you’re focusing on. A cat’s visual field is different from humans – as their visual field is 20 degrees wider.

Color vision

If you’re wondering, “Are cats color blind?” the answer (according to experts) is yes! Cats’ photoreceptors are unlike ours. Therefore, cats mainly see the colors blue and green – other colors with different hues often appear in shades of gray to cats.

Visual Acuity

Visual acuity refers to the distance that can be looked at without the spot being blurry. Unlike humans – with a typical visual acuity of 20/20 – a cat’s acuity ranges from 20/100 to 20/200. Which means cats can’t see objects from afar. Additionally, cats are also known to be near-sighted animals.

What makes cat eyesight unique?

In case you haven’t noticed, cats’ pupils are not round  – but rather, a vertical slit. Their pupils can also rapidly dilate and constrict. The reason for this largely depends on their ability to see better with minimal light.

Cats have somewhat of a night vision. The wider their pupils dilate, the better they’re able to see in the dark. This is super useful for them when they’re hunting at night – since cats are “diurnal” creatures (they’re most active at dawn and dusk).

Some common cat eye conditions to look out for:

If your cat is exhibiting some of these symptoms, have them checked by a veterinarian:

• Allergies

If you notice your cat trying to scratch its eyes, is swollen, or there’s visible hair loss, your cat might be suffering from allergies. Inform your vet right away and be mindful of the area, foods, and products that your cat could have possibly been exposed to.

• Cataracts

If your cat’s eyes are cloudy – even just cloudy spots – your cat might have cataracts. Sometimes, the recommended treatment for this is cataract-removal surgery. But it’s still your preferred vet’s discretion what they advise.

• Trauma or injury

Rough play, accidents, or even abuse cause a cat’s eyes to be injured. Depending on the type of injury – and what caused it – the treatment for cat eye trauma varies; it can range from wound cleaning to surgery. If you suspect that your cat’s eye is injured, take them to the vet ASAP – you’re not only potentially saving your cat’s eyesight, but you’re also saving their life!

*There are other cat eye diseases and conditions not listed here. The best way to take care of your cat’s eyesight is by keeping a close eye on them – pay attention to sudden and out-of-the-ordinary changes.

Summary

We hope this answers your questions, “Can cats see color?” and “Are cats color blind?” – turns out, they do see colors! Just not as vividly as we humans do. They’re also somewhat near-sighted and they’re sort of color-blind! However, when it comes to night vision, cat eyes are better!