Can Dogs See in the Dark?
It is pretty well-known that dogs have more acute senses than humans do. For example, a dog’s sense of smell far surpasses that of a human. Because of this, you may be wondering how a dog’s eyesight compares to yours. Specifically, many people are curious if dogs can see in the darkness.
Do Dogs Have Night Vision?
Dogs do have the ability to see better in the dark than humans do. However, they do not see objects in the same way that you would see if you were wearing night vision goggles.
The Eyesight of Dogs Vs. Humans
Dogs and humans share very similar characteristics in regards to their eyes. However, there are a few differences. Dogs see fewer colors than we do, and their depth perception is not as finely tuned as ours is. Dogs do not see objects in such minute details as humans do, and their visual perspective isn’t as broad, due to the fact that they are positioned lower to the ground.
With that being said, when it comes to seeing in the dark, dogs have an advantage. They have several anatomical differences that make them better acclimated to survive, seek out prey, and hunt in the darkness.
The reason your dog can see better than you in the darkness is due to the part of his eye known as the tapetum lucidum. This is essentially a layer of cells that exist behind the retina that reflects light, acting as a mirror to the light that hits it. Humans lack this special reflective layer that magnifies light within the eye.
In addition to this, in most breeds of dogs, their eyes are situated on the side of their heads. This allows the canine a wider range of view, which means that they are able to scan their environment quicker than a human can.
The Evolution of Sight
Throughout history, wild canines were known to hunt most actively at dusk and dawn. Because of this, they needed to be able to see in various low-light conditions. This is why as wild canines evolved into domestic dogs, their ability to see at night remained strong.
Do Dogs Require a Light on at Night?
Even though dogs are able to see pretty well without the light on, they still require some light to get around. Keep in mind that in the darkness, your dog is using his other senses in combination with his sight to guide his way. Keeping a night light on will help your dog feel more confident about moving around rather than having complete darkness.