I’m often asked how colour influences people - but lately, I’ve been asked something a little different:
Does art influence dogs?
And what colours do they actually see?
As someone who paints with emotion and lives alongside animals, I love this question - because dogs are incredibly sensitive to their environments, even if they don’t experience them the way we do.
How Dogs See Colour (In Simple Terms)
Dogs don’t see the full colour spectrum that humans do.
Their vision is what’s called dichromatic - meaning they mainly see the world through blue and yellow tones.
They see:
- Blues and soft teals
- Yellows and warm light tones
- Greys, whites and contrast
They don’t see:
- Red the way we do
- Pink or orange as vibrant colours
- Green as green (it often appears yellowish or muted)
So while a bold red artwork might feel powerful to us, it can appear quite neutral or dull to a dog - whereas a blue-toned piece will feel clearer and more defined.
If you want to have paintings in your home or work space that appeal to animals, I can create something for you that will resonate. Email me your thoughts and lets chat. manager@tracieeaton.com
