Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
  • Home
  • Curbside Service Protocol
  • Clinic News
  • New Patient Center
    • What To Expect
    • Veterinary Resources
    • Payment Options
    • New Patient Form
    • Virtual Tour
  • Services
    • Preventative Services
    • Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
    • Ultrasound
    • Internal Medicine
    • Orthopedic Surgery
    • Laser Surgery
    • Laser Therapy
    • Soft tissue surgery
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Virtual Office Tour
    • Pet Selector
  • Memorials
  • Testimonials
  • Veterinary Topics
  • Contact Us
  • Online Store
Bringing Dog Vision in Focus
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Keeping Pets Healthy >
  • Bringing Dog Vision in Focus

Bringing Dog Vision in Focus

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy

Veterinary ophthalmologists are often asked, "How well do animals see?" Visual function involves a combination of many factors, including: the field of view, depth perception, acuity, perception of motion, and color differentiation. All of these functions must then be integrated by the brain to produce useful vision. Although we are unable to ask our pets to read an eye chart, through comparative studies, it is possible to make some educated assumptions about their vision.

Most humans have the ability to see all the different colors of the electromagnetic spectrum, and consequently perceive all its' colors. Man's best friend is colorblind, but, fortunately, his survival does not depend upon the ability to see colors. His keen sense of smell compensates for his inability to see colors, and enables him to differentiate between things.

Extensive scientific testing on dogs supports the conclusion that they live in a colorless world. The testing done primarily focused on the dogs' responses to colors for food. Dogs could not tell the difference between one color, a signal for food, and other colors, that were not for food. Similar tests conducted on cats produced similar results, which led scientists to conclude that they, too, are colorblind and live in a gray world.

The inability of most animals to see colors, from an evolutionary standpoint, is quite simple to understand. Many colorblind animals have dull-colored coats, hunt for food in the dark of night, or graze in the dim twilight hours. Their other senses have developed to the point where the lack of color vision in no way impairs them. For them, life in a colorless world is neither a handicap, nor a threat to their survival.

The only animals, other than man, scientists can conclusively say have color vision are monkeys and apes. Both can be trained to open a colored door, behind which is food, and man can be trained to open a refrigerator door of any color!

  • We Help Your Pet With
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Digestive and Oral Health
    • Diseases and Viruses
    • Pests and Parasites
    • Orthopedics
  • Today's Veterinarian
  • Choosing Your Pet
    • Birds
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Ferrets
    • Rabbits
    • Reptiles
      • Lizards
      • Turtles
  • Living With Your Pet
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Providing Care
    • Travel
    • Saying Goodbye
  • Finding Your Pet
  • Newsletter Library
    • Tips for Pet Owners
    • Cats
    • Fun with Pets
    • Fleas & Parasites
    • Recognizing Illness
    • Nutrition & Food
    • Pet Dangers
    • Seasonal Topics
    • Unbelievable Pets
    • Keeping Pets Healthy
    • Visiting the Vet
    • Equine
    • Behavior & Training
  • Video Newsroom
    • Health Topics
    • Technology and Science
    • Other Interests
  • Client Survey
  • Pets4Kids
  • Feline
No form settings found. Please configure it.
  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!

Our Locations

  • "All the staff is friendly and helpful. I enjoy bringing our dog to All Creatures Veterinary Service for her medical needs. Both Veterinarians are very knowledgeable and excellent! Thank you!!"
    Karen B.

All Creatures Veterinary Services

Identifying Dementia in Senior Dogs

Have you noticed changes in your older dog's behavior? ...

Read More
  • Copyright © 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map