Cats are considered partially colorblind animals, not completely colorblind. Their color vision is more limited than that of humans, mainly blue and yellow, and the perception of red and green is relatively weak. Here are some detailed explanations about color vision and color blindness in cats:
Blue and yellow:Studies have shown that cats' visual systems have a relatively high ability to perceive blue and yellow. They are able to discern more detail in the spectrum of these two colors.
Red and green:Cats have a relatively poor perception of red and green. Of the two colors, they may have difficulty distinguishing some subtle tonal differences.
Rod cells dominate:A cat's retina is mainly made up of rod cells, a type of optic cell that is more sensitive to low-light environments. This makes cats relatively good at showing color perception in low-light conditions.
There are relatively few cone cells:Compared to humans, cats have a lower proportion of cone cells in their retina, which are responsible for color perception. As a result, cats have relatively weak color vision.
Although cats have a weak perception of the red-green spectrum, this does not prevent them from showing excellent hunting and survival skills in life. The study found that cats rely more on other senses, such as smell and hearing, to aid them in navigating the environment and hunting for food.
In the home environment, cats may not be very concerned about some color differences, and they pay more attention to changes in shape, movement, and light. For example, they may be more susceptible to attraction to a flying object or an object that reflects in sunlight.
Overall, cats are partially colorblind animals, and their color perception is relatively weak, mainly blue and yellow. However, this does not affect the survival and hunting skills of cats in their natural environment, as they compensate for the lack of color perception through other senses and instincts. In a home environment, owners can meet the cat's various sensory needs by providing enough light and a variety of toys.