Key Takeaways
- Dogs can see some colours, but not in the way in which humans do.
- Knowing how a dog’s eyes function helps you take care of their health.
- Dogs make up for less-than-optimal eyesight with their far superior sense of smell and hearing.
For years, scientists believed dogs lived in a world painted in black and white. However, ongoing research into canine vision has unveiled a more colourful reality, although less vibrant than the human experience.
The belief that dogs could only see shades of grey was finally debunked in 1989 when an ophthalmologist and his colleagues discovered that canines could see blues and yellows but not reds and greens.
Dogs see colours, but their perception of the spectrum differs significantly from ours as a result of their unique eye structure. Besides satisfying our curiosity, understanding what colours dogs can see and that are beyond their perception improves their care, especially concerning their eye health as they age.
What colours do dogs see?
Dogs are dichromatic, meaning they’ve two sorts of color receptors or cones of their eyes, in comparison with the three types in humans. Scientific American says this makes them much like most mammals—including cats, cows and pigs.
This difference drastically limits the range of colours dogs can distinguish. What we perceive as red appears as a dark brownish-gray or black to a dog, and green, orange, and vibrant red all are likely to mix into one. Imagine the world’s hues at dusk, and you may get near how your furry friend sees the world. This experience is comparable to what an individual with red-green color blindness would see.
The social media app TikTok offers a dog vision filter that many pet parents have used to see how their dog views the world. Several users posted videos of their dog’s toys with the filter on and saw why their dog prefers blue toys to red or green objects.
Color spectrums, dog vs. human. Chart courtesy of The Wildest
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How good is a dog’s vision in other ways?
A dog’s eyesight shouldn’t be all that great generally, at the least in comparison with humans. If you’re attempting to imagine the world through your dog’s eyes, it is best to picture all the pieces loads blurrier, in keeping with the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO). Most dogs have 20/75 vision, meaning that in the event that they were 20 feet away from an object, they might see it like a human would standing 75 feet away.
A dog’s visual benefits over human vision
But dogs have evolved to have superior vision in some circumstances. Humans see poorly in low light, while canines possess a novel eye structure that helps with night vision – which is six times higher than humans. Scientific American says that the canine eye features a feature that reflects light, which is why your pet’s eyes glow in photos and at midnight. A dog’s retina also has more rods than an individual’s, and rods work best under low-light conditions and are good at picking up movement. Another way canines have higher vision is of their wider field of view. Since most dogs’ eyes are placed wider apart on the face than the eyes of humans, they’ve a greater ability to scan the environment and pick up sudden movement, ACVO says. That could also be why your dog spots a fleeing squirrel before you do.
Dog toys as dogs see them (on the best) with their colorblindness. Image courtesy of Petsworld.
How to regulate on your dog’s color blindness
A dog’s partial colorblindness shouldn’t be really an issue for them – especially since they rely a lot on their sense of smell and hearing, each far superior to humans.
However, the limitation signifies that certain toys, especially red or green ones, may not stand out against the green grass of your backyard in your dog’s vision. Some dogs may just like the challenge of identifying a red toy by its other features – smell, shape, and size. If your dog seems frustrated at trying to seek out a red or green object, consider choosing toys in shades of blue or yellow.
How to guard your dog’s eye health as they age
Just like humans, dogs can experience changes in eye health with age. Conditions akin to cataracts, glaucoma, and dry eye can affect their vision and, in some cases, result in blindness. Regular veterinary check-ups will help catch these conditions early on, and certain dietary decisions may support eye health. If your dog shows signs of getting trouble with sight, your regular vet may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist. Since they can not read eye charts and respond, animals’ eyesight can’t be measured using standard human vision tests, says veterinarian Dr. Jeffrey Bowersox of ACVO. Instead, a veterinary ophthalmologist will closely evaluate the health of your dog’s eyes and may even use a series of lenses and a tool called a retinoscope to measure nearsightedness and farsightedness.
One study showed that certain breeds, including beagles, terriers, and German shorthair pointers, are predisposed to certain sorts of eyesight problems akin to glaucoma and cataracts. Your veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist may recommend more frequent eye exams based in your dog’s breed or health history.
Certain dietary decisions may support eye health. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E, present in many vegetables and fruit, will help protect your dog’s eyes. Omega-3 fatty acids, often present in fish oil supplements, are also helpful for maintaining healthy vision. Ask your veterinarian in case your dog may gain advantage from a dietary complement since supplementing an already balanced weight loss plan can result in problems.
In addition to a nutritious weight loss plan, minimizing direct exposure to vibrant light and ensuring your dog doesn’t injure their eyes can contribute to long-term eye health. Consider outfitting your dog with a pair of sporty goggles in the event that they spend loads of time outdoors and may gain advantage from eye protection.
Conclusion
Understanding how dogs perceive the world through their eyes opens up a pathway to deeper empathy and take care of our canine companions. By selecting toys that align with their visual capabilities and taking proactive steps to support their eye health, we are able to enrich their lives and ensure they enjoy a vibrant world, even when it’s a bit different from the one we see.