Author: Kwispelkleuren.nl
When walking through the park with your dog or trying out a new toy together, it is easy to forget that your dog literally sees the world differently from you. Dogs experience colours in a completely different way to humans. But what colours exactly do dogs see? And what does that mean for their behaviour, emotions and daily interactions?
What colours do dogs see - a different world in focus
Dogs do not possess the same colour vision as humans. Whereas we humans have three types of colour-sensitive cones in our eyes (trichromatic vision), dogs have only two - they see the world dichromatically. This means they perceive colours differently and their world consists mainly of blue, yellow and violet. Colours like red and green fall outside their spectrum and are therefore not perceived properly by your dog.
So suppose: you throw a bright red ball into the grass, your dog might just see a grey spot. A violet or yellow toy, on the other hand, stands out much better.
What colours do dogs see, and how does that affect their behaviour?
The question ‘what colours do dogs see’ is not just an optical one, but also directly affects behaviour. When a dog cannot see an object clearly, it can lead to frustration, insecurity or avoidance of the object. On the other hand, a toy that is clearly visible within the dog's colour spectrum creates recognition, focus and enjoyment.
Research shows that dogs respond better to toys in shades of blue, violet or yellow than to orange or red, for example. This visual preference translates into more interaction, faster picking up commands in training and less hesitation with new objects.
In addition, there is evidence that colour affects a dog's mood. Blue is often associated with calmness, while too many bright or contrasting colours can create visual crowding - which can induce stress in excitable dogs.
"The question "what colours do dogs see" is not just an optical one, but also directly affects behaviour."
Choosing toys for dogs with an eye for sight
Many toys for dogs are designed based on what humans find attractive: bright colours, cute shapes, funny patterns. But dogs have different needs. By considering what dogs can actually see when choosing dog toys, you significantly improve their play experience.
Consider:
- Fetch: Choose a blue, yellow or violet fetch object instead of red - this is more visible in grass or on sand.
- Tracking games: Use contrasting colours within the dog spectrum (e.g. blue on light grey).
- Training: Combine colour with texture so that the object is recognisable on multiple sensory levels.
Even with accessories such as feeders, blankets or bedding, a conscious choice of colour can contribute to recognition, calmness and overview. Especially in older dogs or visually impaired dogs, this makes a subtle but important difference.
Visual stimuli in everyday life
Dogs perceive their environment largely through movement, scent and sight. Visual stimuli such as colour contrasts, sudden changes or busy patterns can be overwhelming - especially in dogs that are sensitive to stimuli.
So dogs are better able to distinguish yellowish and blue-purple tones, which means you can present toys and accessories in these colours as calmer or more recognisable. This reduces unnecessary stress in new situations, such as staying with a sitter, visiting the vet or participating in a group class.
Calming colours can also help build confidence in a new environment. Consider a dog basket in soft shades of blue, for example, or avoiding accessories with bright prints that can cause visual turmoil.
What colours do dogs see - and how do you harness that for wellbeing?
If we know what colours dogs see, we can support them more consciously in their daily lives. A well-chosen toy in the right colour encourages play and interaction. A feeding area in a calm colour palette contributes to relaxed eating. Even a leash or harness in recognisable shades can make a dog feel more confident while walking.
So taking colour into account is not an unnecessary luxury. Especially if you aim to create an environment where your dog feels safe, calm and understood.
Want to discover products that are really visible to your dog and contribute to play, peace and comfort? Then check out our range of dog toys in the colours a dog can actually see, at www.kwispelkleuren.nl - carefully selected based on dogs' visual perception capabilities.
