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Can cats see in colour? Or are cats colour blind? It’s a common misconception that our feline friends see in black and white. But they do experience the world in a different way from us. While we can enjoy a full spectrum of colours, cats can’t see red or green. It’s not a problem, however. Their unique eye structure is designed for their lifestyle as hunters. It’s all about detecting movement in dim light. Rory the Vet is here to explain all the fascinating aspects behind feline vision.
MEET RORY THE VET
We’ve partnered up with animal whisperer and renowned veterinarian, Dr Rory Cowlam, to share his wisdom when it comes to all things furry. And boy, does this man know his stuff.
Starting with his degree from the Royal Veterinary College, Rory has since co-starred in the CBBC’s series The Pet Factor, shared his knowledge on the likes of Blue Peter and written all about it in his book, Secret Life of a Vet.
Starting with his degree from the Royal Veterinary College, Rory has since co-starred in the CBBC’s series The Pet Factor, shared his knowledge on the likes of Blue Peter and written all about it in his book, Secret Life of a Vet.
Follow him on Instagram
What Colours Can Cats See?
It’s believed that cats have dichromatic vision in that they can see blue and yellow best but view red and green as greys – similar to people who are red-brown colourblind. Cats see the world in muted tones, with certain colours standing out more than others, and rely on movement and light.
How Do Cats See Colour ?
Cats’ eyes contain a retina which has two light-sensitive cells: rods (responsible for detecting motion and night vision) and cones (responsible for detecting colours). In comparison to human vision, they have far fewer cones than us, which means we see a wider range of colours. But cats have more rod cells, which gives them a much superior night vision than ours.
What Does a Cat’s Vision Look Like?
If we compare our human sight to our furry friends’, they’re likely to perceive their surroundings both as duller – due to the fact we see more colours – and blurrier, as cats are mid-sighted and struggle to see anything over six metres away. But their eyesight is superior to us in plenty of other ways. As mentioned earlier, they can see better in the dark and are sensitive to movement. Cats also have great depth perception and wider peripheral vision. All of these traits make them a skilful hunter.
How Do Dogs See Colour Differently From Cats?
So, how does the eyesight of cats compare to dogs? While both have dichromatic vision, dogs have a larger field of vision. Dogs also have more rod cells than humans, which means they can see better in the dark than us, but less so when compared with cats, due to a structure called the tapetum lucidum – a reflective membrane behind a cat’s retina. When light misses the retina, it bounces off the tapetum lucidum, which gives their rods a second chance at absorbing light.
Conclusion
I hope I’ve cleared up the myth that cats live in a monochrome world! They in fact do see colours, but not all the colours we can. And their excellent night vision and motion detection allows them to hunt and track their prey – a natural cat instinct.
As for your new knowledge that cats can see the colours blue and yellow most, maybe keep this in mind the next time you pick up a new toy or bed for your little friend – you never know, your kitty might just appreciate it that little bit more!
The information in this article is intended as a guide to help pets and pet parents on their journey together. It is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for professional advice from a vet, behaviourist, trainer or other professional. We encourage all pet parents to consult with their vet and/or behaviourist to ensure their pet’s specific needs are met.
Published on 26/02/2026
