It looks like you just saw your dog glide through the shadows like a stealthy ninja while you kept banging your leg on every piece of furniture at night without any light (well, that rhymed). Now, your dog may not be exactly like the way some of the comic books show, but yes, they do have much better low-light vision than you (probably better than the latest iPhone as well).
Dogs and their vision are an interesting topic to study about. On one hand, we have a lower spectrum of colors for them as dogs are red-green color blind, and on the other hand, we have night vision, better peripheral vision and even a 10-20 times greater motion sensitivity than humans. Dogs are even said to be near-sighted as their vision is blurry. If they were humans, they would need glasses to see objects further away. (1)
Now you know why most hunters wear orange or green as these colors are not visible to dogs!
How do dogs see in the dark?
Dogs may have lesser colors in their visibility spectrum, but when it comes to low-light vision, evolution has helped them be great at it. You see, dogs are naturally more active at dawn and dusk. This eventually helped them develop a vision in the dark that is far better than humans.
How this works technically in their eyes is the interesting part – (1)
More rods – Rods are light-detecting cells in the eyes that help distinguish between light and dark. Dogs have way more of them than humans, which helps them see better in dim light.
Pupil size – If you notice the pupils of a dog, you’ll know that they are bigger than average human beings. This helps them allow more light in the eyes which helps at times when there is less light in the environment.
Tapetum Lucidum – This is a reflective layer of cells behind the retina that acts as a mirror or a magnifying glass that enhances vision sensitivity in low light. Dogs have this membrane near the rear of their eyes that allows light that is not absorbed by the rods to rebound to the retina. This in turn results in a better vision in low light.
(by the way, this is what causes that ‘eye-shine effect’, when you take a dog’s picture at night)
On top of these features, dogs also have a 10-20 times greater motion sensitivity than humans. Hence, they can pick up on the smallest of changes in body posture and movement. This helps them navigate better in low light.
Does that mean dogs can see in absolute darkness?
How Well Can Dogs See in the Dark?
No, dogs cannot see in absolute darkness. If you carefully read the above points, you’ll understand that low-light vision in dogs is a result of better light reception during low lights. However, if there is no amount of light in the environment to reflect on their eyes, even their super-eyes can’t help it.
Also, while dogs can see in low light, their vision at such times is not as good as it is during daylight. Their depth perception and detail may be affected in the case of low lights. Even the colors that they see in the dark are muted and dull when compared to seeing them in bright light. (2)
Conclusion
In summary, dogs can see much better than humans in the dark because of their eye structure and enhanced mechanisms, but they cannot see in complete darkness.
If you are a pet owner, then it’s a good thing that you’re trying to understand the nuances of a dog’s life. It will help you make their lives easier. For example, now that you know how they navigate in the dark, you should keep the furniture in the same arrangement at night, not leave things lying around, and even use a child gate to block stairs at night. These will help you create a safer environment for your dog at night when there is a chance of complete darkness in the house.
Now that we are on the topic of a dog’s vision, it is important to know that while dogs have great vision capabilities, they are also prone to several eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), and more. Some of these may turn out to be very severe and even cost your dog’s vision. While you may do everything to ensure your dog’s health, some conditions are hereditary and cannot be controlled. This is where pet insurance can help you with the finances, so that you can provide the best treatments to your dog.
Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more.
Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!
Joyner, M., DVM. (2023, August 30). How do dogs see the world? https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-do-dogs-see-world
Groshek, N., & Groshek, N. (2024, August 16). Can dogs see in the dark? Stella & Chewy’s. https://www.stellaandchewys.com/blogs/articles/can-dogs-see-in-dark
