The Amazing Powers of Dogs’ Sight: Can They See Ghosts?

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Have you ever noticed your dog looking at or listening to something that you couldn’t see or hear? Have you ever wondered if their senses crossed over into the paranormal? With their super senses, it’s not too much of a stretch to wonder, “Can dogs see ghosts?” Today we’re digging into the power of dogs’ sight, how it differs from ours, and if they can detect things we simply can’t.

Keep reading, if you dare, to learn what dogs can see and if they have a sixth sense. Let’s jump in! 

Can Dogs See Ghosts? 

Dogs have excellent senses. Their sight, hearing, and smell allow them to notice some things more intensely than humans. However, no scientific evidence supports that dogs can see ghosts or supernatural entities.

When a dog barks at seemingly nothing in a room, one could wonder if it’s seeing something we’re not. Perhaps it’s a ghost? Unfortunately, we simply don’t have a way of knowing.

Paranormal claims are typically based on personal experiences, anecdotes, or beliefs versus science. But that shouldn’t detract from people who believe dogs can see ghosts. Much of animal behavior is unknown, so if canines see ghosts, we’ll likely never know for sure. When dog owners think their pet is sensing a ghost, could it be that they are? Or it may be a way of feeling comforted by the passing of a family member. It’s a mystery. 

8 THINGS DOGS Can SENSE But We CAN'T 🐶

Do Dogs Have a Sixth Sense? 

The concept of a “sixth sense” generally refers to the idea that an animal has a natural and intuitive awareness of something unexplainable. This could be a feeling of something about to happen, or if you believe in the supernatural, detecting an otherworldly presence undetectable by the other 5 senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.

Dogs sense things differently than us, so it’s hard to determine if and when they experience a sixth sense beyond their normal senses. However, we can probably all agree that instinct is like a sixth sense and that this affects dogs more than it does humans on a day-to-day basis. Dogs tend to act quickly when their sixth sense kicks in. For example, when they have a gut feeling something isn’t right, they’re likely to bark or react in some way. 

However, we’re not quite sure where this sense or instinct really starts or ends or if it’s just how they experience the world through their enhanced smell and hearing.

It’s best to observe the context in which your dog is staring. Try to read their body language and if it is something to be alarmed about. Watch and listen intently to see if any other clues arise. Also, evaluate whether your dog is potentially in pain. And if it happens repeatedly, we recommend contacting your veterinarian. 

Animal behaviorists talk about how dogs can predict impending disasters such as earthquakes. Natural phenomena and barometric pressure have odors that are beyond the capacity of a human nose to smell. However, dogs can recognize the change in smell. They can also hear high-pitched noises that humans can’t pick up.

While there’s no scientific evidence that dogs can predict earthquakes, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that they act unusually from days to seconds before an earthquake happens. A possible explanation is related to an earthquake’s P wave. It travels out from the quake’s source faster than the larger shear wave (or S wave), which shakes the ground perpendicular to it. Humans typically don’t notice the smaller P wave, which arrives seconds before the S wave. But dogs likely can due to their enhanced senses. Therefore, they begin reacting before we know what’s going on. Their actions, whether it be barking or anxiety, can be perceived as a sixth sense to humans. 

However, we’ll likely never know what dogs are actually detecting without lots more research. Since they’ve been known to react days before the earthquake strikes, any number of things could cause their senses to kick into overdrive. 

Other fun anecdotes about dogs: What do dogs think of us? Learn if dogs think humans are cute.

Can Dogs See Things Humans Can’t See? 

Dogs have a wider field of vision than humans, at around 250 degrees. They’re able to see in twilight, dusk, and dawn much better than we can. So, if your dog reacts during an evening walk to something you’re not seeing, there may be something there that your eyes are simply missing. 

Dogs see better in the dark than humans because they were originally crepuscular, a Latin word for twilight. When canines were wild, they were active at dusk and dawn. They lay low during the daylight hours to stay hidden from potential prey and rest after a full stomach. Wild canines’ eyesight was such that they could spot their prey in dim light. 

Along similar lines, dogs can see motion much better than we can, and see it much better than stationary objects. This is thanks to a large number of rods in their eyes, like cats. They are able to see fine movements imperceptible to us, which can cause them to look intently at seemingly nothing.

In contrast, there are things humans can see better than canines. Dogs mostly see yellows and blues. So, they see fewer colors than humans and recognize objects and people at shorter distances than we do. Their depth perception is 30 to 60 degrees compared to humans’ 140 degrees. 

What Is a Dog’s Vision? 

A dog’s vision is typically 20/75 compared to a human’s perfect eyesight being 20/20 vision. This means dogs need to be 20 feet from an object to see it as well as a human standing 75 feet away. Some breeds have better visual acuity. For example, Labradors are often used as seeing-eye dogs because they typically have better vision and sometimes get close to having 20/20 vision. 

Dogs’ field of view and depth perception are set with prey in mind. They have to be able to see on the sides of their head without moving their neck. Some breeds’ eyes are at a 20-degree angle to increase their peripheral vision. In contrast, human eyes are set straight forward.

Can a Dog See in the Dark? 

While dogs don’t have night vision goggles, they can see better in the dark than humans. As we pointed out early in this article, dogs can see things we can’t see at dusk and dawn. This can be useful when letting your pup out to go to the bathroom at night. And can come in handy as an added safety measure if animals, a person, or a ghost is lurking in the shadows while walking your dog. Most dogs are likely to sense it and let out a warning. 

If you’re afraid of the dark and need to walk outside at night, having a canine companion is a great way to feel and be safer. Dogs are natural protectors, and will often make anything or anyone think twice before messing with you.

What Colors Do Dogs See?

Dogs see colors similar to color-blind humans. Their retinas distinguish two colors, blue-violet and yellow. They can also differentiate between shades of gray. This is because they have only 20% of the cones that humans do and only 2 types.

You may be wondering, then, how do seeing-eye dogs distinguish between green or red stoplights? They rely on smell, brightness, and position. So, they look at the brightness and position of the traffic light as well as if cars have stopped on the street.

However, studies have shown that dogs can also see ultraviolet (UV) light, a spectrum that we humans cannot see. The study says, “The realization that many mammals have some UV sensitivity may be important for understanding aspects of their behaviour as they could be responding to visual signals undetectable to humans.”

Could this allow dogs to see ghosts? If their eyes can detect UV light, what about other light or color off the human visual spectrum?

Do Some Dogs Have Bad Eyesight?

Generally speaking, all dogs have “bad” visual acuity, or clarity, compared to humans. Recent studies show that dogs, on average, have three times blurrier vision than we do. However, some dogs have worse eyesight than others.

Dogs can be born with bad eyesight or acquire it from disease, aging, or injury. And they can experience partial or complete blindness depending. 

Common eye problems with dogs are cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal degeneration syndrome. Some issues can be treated, especially early on. Vision problems typically don’t go away on their own. So, if you notice your dog experiencing changes in its eyesight, make an appointment with your veterinarian. 

Can Dogs See Color?

Why Do Dogs Suddenly Stare at Nothing? 

There are various reasons why dogs suddenly stare at nothing. As we’ve noted about the differences in eyesight, they could be seeing something you can’t, like small movements or UV light.

Additionally, it could simply be hearing or smelling something we can’t detect and pointing its head that way. Other reasons could be fear, anxiety, or pain. Or it might be communicating with you or simply relaxing. It could also indicate health issues, such as canine cognitive dysfunction or dementia.

However, if you believe that dogs can see ghosts, maybe your dog is seeing something supernatural.  

It’s not just dogs. Does your cat stare at you? Find out why.

It’s Up to You to Believe Whether or Not Dogs Can See Ghosts

Believing dogs see ghosts or not is a personal preference. If believing your dog can see a deceased family member or friend brings you comfort, we don’t see anything wrong with that. Dogs have unique abilities. Between their ability to see in low lighting and their sixth sense, our pups are looking out for us, and that’s something to cherish. 

Does your dog have a sixth sense? When have you noticed it? Share your experience in the comments below.