No matter what kind of pet you have, their color vision is very different from yours. The evolution of color vision is unique to different animals, with some seeing fewer colors than humans and others seeing many colors, including ones we can’t. This causes your pet to see the world in an entirely different way than you do.
Take your pet’s ability to see colors into account when caring for them and buying them products. Adjusting the colors that surround them in different situations can benefit them in more ways than you’d think.
1. Learn Which Colors Your Pet Can See
It’s important to learn as much about a species as possible before you get it as a pet. While it’s often overlooked, it’s a good idea to research which colors your companion can see. Dogs and cats are the most common pets, but there are still many people who don’t know how they see the world.
In general, dogs can see shades of blue, yellow, and gray. In other words, they can’t perceive greens and reds. Cats mostly see the same colors as dogs, but it might look slightly different since dogs have better visual acuity while cats have better night vision. If you have a lot of green decorations throughout your home, your dogs and cats won’t see it the same way you do.
While choosing colors carefully is most important for dogs and cats, smaller pets have unique color vision, too. Some small mammals like guinea pigs have similar vision to dogs and cats. However, while most mammals have limited color vision, they can’t all see the same colors. Rabbits and hamsters can see greens and blues but not red, while ferrets can see red and blue but not green.
Most reptiles can see the same colors we can, along with UV light. Birds have cones in their eyes that are similar to reptiles, but seem to be better at distinguishing shades of colors because of the filtering oil in their receptors. Since these animals have excellent color vision, they can see the colors of all the decorations you put in their enclosures.
2. Choose Toys in Colors Your Pet Recognizes
Once you know which hues your pet can and can’t see, use that to your advantage. Objects meant to pique your pet’s interest, such as toys, should be colors they can easily notice. For dogs and cats, blue and yellow are the best. Blue and yellow stand out from the blacks, whites, and grays surrounding the toy, making it easier for your pet to chase and pounce on toys.
If you’ve ever thrown an object, and your pet has a hard time finding it, it could be because it’s a color that they can’t see well. As cute as Christmas-colored toys are, red and green blend into the other neutral hues nearby. Those toys are colored that way because they’re appealing to humans, not animals.
So, keep colors in mind when picking out pet toys. Luckily, many toys come in several colors, so you can easily choose one that’s suitable for your pet’s color vision.
3. Use Color Patterns to Spark Interest
While solid colors are best for objects that you want to make sure your pet sees, unique color patterns can appeal to pets, too. Even if the pattern includes some colors that your pet can’t see, the contrast and design of the pattern may be appealing enough to them. Patterns are great for toys and other items that you want your pet to be excited about. Patterns are also great at standing out next to solid-colored backgrounds, regardless of the pattern’s color.
If you want more than just blue and yellow toys, consider some products with fun patterns to offer some variety while still catering to your pet’s vision.
4. Train with High-Contrast Colors
Using colors that offer contrast can make training easier for pets. For example, if you’re training outside, the green grass mostly looks gray to dogs. So, using colors that are easily visible to dogs, such as yellow or blue, can help training tools stand out for your furry friend. Having a dark-colored item on a light-colored background (or vice versa) can also provide some contrast.
Agility courses are a great example because your dog needs to see where the obstacles are clearly. If you want your pet to fetch specific objects, make sure those items contrast with the colors of the ground. While not all environments allow for contrasting colors, it’s a good aspect to focus on when introducing an animal to new training tasks.
5. Skip Red: Many Pets Can’t See It
For humans, red is one of the brightest colors. It’s a color that’s used to capture attention and alert us. However, it’s the opposite for dogs and cats. Since red isn’t a part of color vision for many mammals, it appears dark rather than bright and vibrant. To dogs and cats, red can look grayish brown or even black.
If you have red toys, bowls, and beds, they won’t stand out to your pet at all. In some cases, animals might even be deterred by how intensely dark the objects look to them. When choosing between several colors of the same pet product, red usually isn’t the best choice.
6. Use Neutral Colors for Relaxation Spaces
You don’t always have to avoid colors that appear gray to pets. While grays might not be appealing on enticing products like toys or training tools, they can be great colors for relaxing. A fluffy dog bed or a hamster hideout can be comforting for your pet if it appears as a neutral color, because then it’s relaxing instead of exciting.
Of course, you could simply buy a product that comes in gray or brown. Yet, if you choose a color you know your pet can’t see, such as green for cats or red for rabbits, it could appear similar to gray. If you really want to take advantage of colors for pets, focus on vibrant, easily visible colors for fun objects and neutral hues for tranquil items.
7. Match Colors to Your Pet’s Natural Camouflage
In the wild, many animals hide among colors similar to their own to help them camouflage. Even though pets are in a safe environment, they often continue these behaviors in captivity. This is especially common for animals kept inside tanks, such as fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
While most people want to see their pets in their enclosures, not all animals are comfortable when they’re easily visible. Many pets are most at ease when they have items that help them hide. Choosing tank hides and decorations that are a similar color to your pet can help them feel relaxed and like they’re in their natural environment. After all, your pet’s comfort should be prioritized above the aesthetic appearance of the tank.
8. Avoid Bright Lights for Nocturnal Pets
Humans often love colors and vibrancy, but not all animals feel the same. Some common pets are nocturnal, meaning they’re active at night rather than during the day. Hamsters, leopard geckos, and sugar gliders are a few examples. If your pet mostly comes out at night, then they need complete darkness at night. A room with rainbow LED lights at night isn’t suitable, even if it looks cool to the people in your house.
Lights, especially colorful lights, can be distracting to nocturnal animals and disrupt their natural sleep cycles. It can also prevent them from having a period of complete darkness, which is when they like to eat and explore. Even if your pet can see the colors of the lights you’re displaying, they won’t appreciate the beauty of those colors like you do.
9. Use Vibrant Walking Gear for Better Visibility
When it comes to choosing collars, harnesses, and leashes for dogs, people tend to pick whatever color they think looks best. While it might not matter to your dog what color their harness is, brighter colors can help other people notice your dog more easily. If your dog unexpectedly escapes, people can spot them and identify them faster if they have a boldly-colored collar or harness, especially if it contrasts with their coat color.
In addition to color, look for walking gear with reflective stitching or patches, which can help keep you and your dog visible during nighttime walks.
10. Choose Colors That Support Play or Comfort
Colors can influence emotions and behaviors in humans. While animals may not experience colors emotionally in the same way, they do respond to them behaviorally. Some pet parents use color intentionally, choosing calming hues to reduce stress at the vet, or vibrant ones to encourage confidence in new environments.
Here’s a quick overview of how animals may respond to colors, based on visibility and behavior:
- Red – May be hard to see. Can be stimulating for some.
- Orange – Attention-grabbing. May spark curiosity.
- Yellow – Bright and energetic. Can be overstimulating.
- Green – Natural and calming. Blends into surroundings.
- Blue – Easy to see. Often calming, especially for dogs.
- Violet – Rarely seen by most pets. Birds and insects may respond.
- Brown – Neutral and earthy. Unlikely to affect behavior.
- White – High contrast. Can be alerting or startling.
- Black – May trigger caution. Can appear as a void or shadow.
- Gray – Low-key and neutral. Generally unnoticed.
Keep in mind that not all animals can see all these colors. So, if it’s a color that appears as gray or black to your pet, it likely won’t have the typical effects. Also, the effects of colors can vary for each individual pet, and context is important. For example, black might be overwhelming in large amounts to dogs, but it can be intriguing when only used occasionally.
These are just some of the many ways that colors can influence your furry friend’s life. While colors might not be a primary aspect of their care, it’s good to be aware of the hues you’re surrounding them with.
