The question of cat vision, particularly the extent of their color perception, has long puzzled cat owners and researchers. Many wonder about cat eyesight, especially their incredible ability to see in low light. 

What colours can cats see? There is an ongoing debate about cat color vision, with a common belief that cats live in a monochromatic world. But what is the truth? How does cat color perception compare to the human eye? Can cats distinguish different colors, or are they actually colorblind? Researchers think that while cats may not see the full spectrum of colors like humans, their eyes are specialized for detecting motion and seeing in the dark. Understanding the differences between cat and human visual capabilities reveals fascinating insights into how animal eyes have evolved to allow cats to thrive in their environments.

The exact cat colors that cats can see are still debated. Some researchers think cat vision is limited to shades of blue and grey, while others believe cats can see blue, yellow, and green, similar to dogs. The most likely scenario is that cat color vision is akin to a color blind person's, perceiving muted shades of blue, yellow, green color, and grey. Reds and pinks may appear more like green, while blue violet may look like another shade of blue. Contrary to the belief that cats see only in black and white, their perception includes a range of colors, albeit not as broad as humans.

Cat color vision results from the construction of the cat eye. The retina, the light sensitive part at the back of the eye, contains two main types of cells, rods and cones. Rods are crucial for low light and night vision, while cones are responsible for day vision and color perception. The ability to distinguish different colors depends on the cones, which are color sensitive cells.

When comparing human and cat vision, cats have a limited range of color perception because they have fewer cone cells than humans, we have 10 times more. This difference in cat and human visual systems means cats see fewer colors but have superior night vision due to a higher number of rod cells. These rod cells also help detect motion in low light. Researchers think this adaptation in the animal eye allows cats to thrive in various environments, highlighting the unique ways cat vision differs from human vision.

Cats have a wider peripheral vision compared to humans, allowing them to detect motion and objects in their surroundings more effectively. They have a visual field of approximately 200 degrees, compared to humans' 180 degrees.

Cats have slit shaped pupils that can change size quickly in response to light conditions. This adaptation allows them to control the amount of light entering their eyes, enhancing their visual acuity in varying light levels.

I often receive these questions: Can cats see ghosts? Can cats see jinns? Can cats see angels? There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cats can see spirits or supernatural beings, including jinns. Cats' behavior may sometimes seem unusual or reactive to unseen stimuli, but this is usually because of their acute senses, especially their ability to detect subtle movements, sounds, and changes in their environment.

Most cats have excellent vision, but certain cat breeds are known for particularly sharp eyesight due to their genetics or hunting instincts. While no specific breed is definitively known to have the "best" vision, some breeds are recognized for traits related to their visual acuity:

• Abyssinian.
• Siamese.
• Bengal.
• Oriental Shorthair.
• Egyptian Mau.
• Burmese.
• Savannah.
• Ocicat.

Yes, cats can see in the dark much better than humans. Their eyes have a higher number of rod cells in the retina compared to humans, which are specialized for low light conditions. Additionally, cats have a reflective layer behind their retina called the tapetum lucidum, which enhances their night vision by reflecting light that passes through the retina back into it, allowing for improved visibility in low light environments. This adaptation enables cats to navigate and hunt effectively in darkness.

Cats are thought to see best in shades of blue and green. Their color vision is not as rich or vibrant as humans they primarily perceive colors in these hues due to the types of cone cells in their eyes. While they can distinguish blues and greens more easily, they have difficulty distinguishing between reds and may perceive them as shades of grey or brown.

Cats can see red, but it appears as a muted shade, closer to grey or brown, due to their fewer cone cells compared to humans. They prioritize motion detection and low light vision over color perception.

No, cats cannot see infrared light. Their vision is limited to the visible spectrum, which includes wavelengths from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers. Infrared light, which has longer wavelengths beyond what humans and cats can see, is invisible to them. While cats have excellent night vision due to their specialized eyes and the tapetum lucidum, which enhances low light vision, they do not have the ability to see infrared like some other animals such as snakes or certain insects.

Yes, cats can see fire. Fire emits light within the visible spectrum, which means it produces wavelengths that are detectable by the cone cells in cats' retinas. Cats' eyes are adapted to detect changes in light and movement, so they can perceive flames and react to them. However, their reaction to fire will typically depend on their individual temperament and past experiences with fire or similar stimuli.

So can cats see screens? Yes, cats can see phone screens. Their vision allows them to perceive the light emitted from screens, although their perception of details and colors may differ from humans due to their unique visual capabilities. Cats may be drawn to moving images on screens, responding to the changes in light and motion.