Are Dogs Really Color Blind - Pet Health Network

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Are Dogs Really Color Blind? Posts by: Pet Health Network ContributorsDebunking an urban mythDog Diseases & Conditions A-Z

If you think the answer is “yes,” think again! Modern science has answered this age-old question: Dogs can see color, but not in the same way that we do. The palette of colors they can see is limited in comparison to ours; it is also less vibrant.

Eyes have “rods” and “cones” to help identify color. Rods tell us how bright or dim something is (black or white) and cones help us identify color. Humans have three kinds of cones, which help detect yellow, violet, and green.

Husky eyes

Dogs only have two types of cones, so they see orange, yellow, and green as yellow. Blue-green is seen as white and red looks as though it is brownish-black. While they can see blue, they can’t distinguish shades, especially as the color blue gets darker. To learn more about how dogs see color, click here.

 

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If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian – they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Reviewed by: Dr. Celeste Clements, DVM, DACVIMReviewed on: Monday, August 3, 2015 Pet Health Network Contributors Learn about the IDEXX Pet Health Network contributions! Read more >

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