Like humans, pets have their preferences. Just like how we might favor a certain cup for our morning coffee, cats or dogs may like certain toys over others, or enjoy snoozing in one spot of the house versus another.
The reason for this could be as simple as color. Take a closer look – you may realise that your dog’s blue rope toy is in tatters, while that red frisbee you bought for him is barely dented.
Interior designers have long studied the relationship between color and mood, and spaces for humans reflect that. Your neighbourhood spa, for example, may feature light blues, greens, and whites, subtly transporting you to relaxed, sandy beaches while you receive your manicure.
Given that our pets connect so well with our emotions, it is unsurprising that color can influence their moods, too. The question is, do colors work for them the way they work for us?
Life in pastel, it’s fantastic
Pets experience colours differently from us, but don’t worry – your fur-friend doesn’t see in black and white. That is a sad existence reserved for the skate fish.
It boils down to the science – cats and dogs possess different types of photoreceptors in their eyes compared to humans, which makes their vision similar to red-green colorblind humans.
Photoreceptors, also known as cones and rods, are located in the retina. Light-sensitive and numbering in the millions, they convert different wavelengths of light into electrical signals that are then transmitted to the brain, producing the phenomenon known as color.
Humans have three cone receptors, while dogs only have two. This results in dichromatic vision – that is, everything appears in shades of yellow and blue. Richer colors like orange or green seem yellowish, while purple may simply look like blue.
Cats have the same three types of cones as humans. However, they have 10 times fewer cones than us, which translates into less color variation. Colours that seem brilliant to us appear muted to them, so they experience life in pastel (it’s still fantastic, though).
What color is good for my pet?
The rule of thumb is to play to your pet’s visual range. This makes it easier for them to differentiate between surfaces, while subtly promoting a sense of wellbeing and comfort.
For dogs, blues, greens, and violets are a great colour palette to work with. These are more visible in dim lighting, contributing to a greater sense of security in dark environments.
Similarly, blue and violet shades are commonly used in veterinary offices to reduce stress in feline visitors.
If you’d prefer neutral tones for places like the bedroom, gray is a good option – it’s neutral for dogs and cats, too.
You don’t have to be a fashionista or world-class designer to start incorporating color theory into your furnishing choices. Start switching it up today – your furry companion may just thank you for it.
From Misty Dove Gray to Mint Breeze, our colour palette has everything you and your pet will need. Start shopping here.
