What colors can dogs actually see on TV?
Dogs distinguish blue and yellow far better than red and green. They have two types of color-detecting cones in their eyes, while humans have three. This is called dichromatic vision. It does not mean your dog sees everything else in black and white. It means a red ball on green grass may offer much less color contrast to your dog than it does to you.
Color is only part of the picture, though. Outlines, movement and contrast can matter more than the precise shade of a background. A dog can become interested in a scene without seeing its colors the way its human viewer does.
Why did dogs seem to ignore older televisions?
Older televisions could look like they were flickering to dogs. A dog’s visual system can detect faster changes in light than ours. A traditional screen refreshing at 50 or 60 Hz might look continuous to you but strobe-like to a dog.
Modern screens refresh quickly enough to make moving pictures much easier for dogs to follow. That helps explain why you may have heard that dogs cannot watch television, yet now see them stop in front of one. The technology changed. Your dog’s eyes did not.
Do dogs understand what is happening on screen?
Some dogs respond to recognizable movement and animal shapes, but that does not mean they follow a story. A running dog or rolling ball may catch their attention. A long conversation between two people probably offers less for them to track.
Watch your own dog rather than assuming every dog enjoys television. A glance, a head tilt or a few minutes of quiet watching can be normal. Barking, pacing or repeated attempts to reach the screen are reasons to change the video or switch it off. Keep the volume comfortable, too.
Should you choose videos made in blue and yellow?
Blue-and-yellow visuals can make certain elements easier for dogs to distinguish, but they do not guarantee interest or relaxation. Clear movement, an uncluttered scene and a calm soundtrack may be more useful than filling every frame with bright color.
Siesta creates animation, music and live streams for dogs using a blue-and-yellow visual approach. You can also test ordinary footage and see which images your dog actually notices.
Questions
Can dogs see cartoons?
Yes, some dogs watch animated movement. Others ignore it completely.
Can dogs see a phone or tablet screen?
Yes, although the small image may be less engaging than a larger display.
Should a dog watch TV all day?
No. Screen time is optional enrichment, not a substitute for walks, sleep or human contact.
For more practical ideas, read the free guide. Take the test