We've probably all wondered this while watching our cats chase invisible things or stare at a colorful toy without much interest—can they even see the colors we do?

While it might seem like cats live in a world of black and white, science tells us that their vision is more colorful than we think—just not quite like ours.

Cats Aren't Colorblind, But...

Unlike us humans who have three types of color-detecting cells (called cones) in our eyes, cats only have two. This means their color vision is closer to someone who is red-green colorblind. They can see shades of blue and green quite well, but red and pink likely look more like dull grays or browns to them.

So if you've ever bought a bright red toy and your cat completely ignored it, now you know why! It probably doesn't look that exciting to them.

Colors Cats Can See

Let's break it down:

• Blue: Cats see blue quite clearly. In fact, it's one of the most vibrant colors in their vision.

• Green/Yellow: These colors are also visible to cats, though maybe not as sharply as blue.

• Red/Pink: These show up more like dark gray or black.

• Purple: It likely looks like another shade of blue.

So the best toys or bedding for your cat might be in shades of blue, green, or even purple—colors they can actually notice!

Night Vision vs. Color Vision

Even though cats don't see colors as vividly as we do, they make up for it with excellent night vision. We're talking six to eight times better than ours in low light. That's why they're such effective hunters in the early morning or evening.

Their eyes have more rod cells, which are responsible for seeing in dim light, and a special reflective layer behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum. That's what makes their eyes glow in the dark and helps them see movement in nearly pitch-black settings.

How Vision Affects Cat Behavior

Knowing how cats see can actually help us understand their behavior better. For example, if your cat doesn't respond to a colorful toy, it might just not be able to see the color well. Or if it's more active at dawn and dusk, that's because its vision works best in low light.

We can use this knowledge to choose better toys, create a more cat-friendly environment, and understand our feline friends more deeply.

Tips for Choosing Cat Toys

Since red and pink don't really stand out to cats, go for toys in:

• Blue or purple tones

• Soft greens or yellows

• Toys that make noise or move, so they don't rely just on color

And if you want your cat to interact more with their surroundings, consider switching up toy colors to see what gets the most reaction.

We See Differently, But That's Okay

It's fun to know that our cats don't experience the same colorful world we do, but that doesn't mean they're missing out. Their world is just different—and in some ways, better suited for their needs. After all, who wouldn't want to see clearly in the dark?

So, Lykkers, What Do You Think?

Have you ever noticed your cat ignoring certain colors? Or favoring a blue toy over a red one? Now that you know how cats see the world, try observing your furry friend more closely. You might spot a pattern in their preferences!

Let us know your cat's favorite toy color—we'd love to hear from you!