Petplan reveals the science behind creating a pet-friendly space

New sensory insights from Petplan reveal how our pets experience the world around them - and how we can adapt our homes to match.

• Selecting toys in shades of blue or yellow can help your dog or cat to spot it better.

• However, colour isn’t everything; cats are excited by motion whilst dogs have a sense of smell 100,000 times stronger than a human.

• Despite the myth, cats cannot see in complete darkness, but dogs have incredible night vision.

  
  

Ever wondered what your pet sees when they look at you? When it comes to our pets’ vision, there’s more than meets the eye. Petplan teamed up with their in-house experts to use the science behind pet vision to gain insight into how our pets experience the world around us. Understanding their world, much like having pet insurance, is a key part of providing comprehensive care for our beloved companions.

The science behind our cat's vision

Contrary to popular belief, cats cannot see in complete darkness, but due to their larger corneas their nighttime vision is eight better than a human, allowing them to detect things in low-light levels. While greens and reds are harder for cats to make out, a fast-moving object or vehicle such as the bicycle above would appear more intense. However, despite having incredible night vision, cats have a blind spot right under their chin.

Nicky Trevorrow, Behaviour Manager at Cats Protection, comments: “Knowing how your cat sees the world – including their need to be close to objects to see them clearly – helps us better understand their behaviours, from those intense stares to their sudden pounces.”

Compared to a dog’s 20/75 vision, cats have slightly better long-distance vision at 20/30. They also have a wide 200-degree field of vision (20 degrees more than humans), allowing them to detect movement from the sides, making them excellent hunters.

The science behind our dog’s vision

Unlike us, dogs only have two types of colour sensing receptors (we have three), so where we can see a full spectrum of colours, our furry companions can only see a limited palette of yellows and blues. Dogs are also believed to be red-green colour-blind, with these shades blending into browns and greys. However, what they lack in colour range they make up for in the dark.

Dr Brian Faulkner, vet and Associate Professor at Nottingham Veterinary School, comments: “Dogs have incredible night vision and are especially tuned in to movement, thanks to a reflective layer in their eyes called the tapetum lucidum – it’s also why their eyes seem to glow in photos.”

Most dogs also have 20/75 vision, which means they can only see objects from about 20 feet away, whereas humans with clear vision could see that same object from 75 feet away. But what dogs lack in vision and colour range, they make up for with exceptional smell. A human has about five million smell receptors, but a dog has up to a billion – which explains why can smell a BBQ from 12 miles away!

FAQs from Petplan’s experts:

Q. Does my dog recognise me by sight?

Yes, dogs can recognise human faces by sight. Studies suggest they use both facial recognition and body language to identify their owners. They also rely heavily on scent and voice to distinguish familiar people.

Q. Why does my cat stare at things I can’t see?

Due to the way they’ve evolved, cats are sensitive to sudden movements. Cats will sometimes stare at things that we cannot see or hear, such as subtle movements, especially in dim light. They sometimes even watch TV!

Q. Can pets recognise themselves their reflection in the mirror?

Generally speaking, most dogs don’t recognise themselves in the mirror. Some dogs may think it’s another dog they’re seeing in the mirror, whilst others may ignore their reflections.

For cats, as long as they are not too close to the mirror, they can see their reflection. Although, they may not realise they are seeing their own reflection. Some cats may ignore their reflection, and others may act hostile when looking at the mirror thinking they’re seeing another cat.