It’s Not What You Expect
The Stray News, Kolkata : For decades, scientists have known that dogs see the world differently than humans. While we enjoy a full spectrum of colors, dogs are dichromatic, meaning they can only see shades of yellow and blue, along with greyscale tones like black, white, and grey. But a recent study has revealed something even more fascinating — Indian street dogs appear to have a strong and consistent preference for the color yellow, even when food is involved.
The Science Behind It
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, conducted a unique field study to understand how free-ranging street dogs in India respond to different colors. The study, conducted across Kolkata, Nadia, and North 24 Parganas districts, involved presenting the dogs with three different colored bowls — yellow, blue, and grey — to see which one they preferred.
The results were striking. Whether the bowls were empty or filled with food, the dogs overwhelmingly chose the yellow bowls. In tests involving biscuits or raw chicken, dogs consistently ignored grey or blue bowls containing food, instead gravitating toward empty yellow bowls. Out of 52 dogs, 41 chose the empty yellow bowl over a grey bowl filled with biscuits. Similar results were observed with chicken, where 47 out of 61 dogs preferred the empty yellow bowl over food in a grey one.
Why Yellow?
The researchers believe this strong attraction to yellow could be linked to the environment in which these dogs live. Indian street food and household waste — which stray dogs commonly scavenge — are often colored yellow due to the use of turmeric and spices. Over time, the dogs may have learned to associate yellow with food and survival, making it a naturally attractive color.
The preference may also offer an ecological advantage. In a chaotic urban landscape filled with noise and movement, a bright yellow object might stand out more clearly than other colors, helping the dogs quickly identify potential food sources.
Dr. Anindita Bhadra, who led the study, explained that this preference may have evolved alongside the dogs’ long-standing relationship with humans, particularly in a country like India where food waste is rich in yellow hues.
Beyond Bowls – Future Research
The researchers are now planning to explore whether this color preference extends beyond food containers. For example, will stray dogs show more interest in a person wearing a yellow shirt compared to someone in black? Do yellow objects attract more attention from these dogs in general?
The study also raises questions about pet dogs — do they share this color preference, or has domestication diluted this trait? Preliminary findings suggest that while pet dogs might show some interest in yellow, the preference is nowhere near as strong as seen in free-ranging strays.
A Unique Insight Into India’s Street Dogs
This groundbreaking study, published in the journal Animal Cognition, provides a fresh perspective on how environment and survival pressures shape the behavior of India’s street dogs. Understanding these preferences could even play a role in designing better feeding programs, shelters, or adoption campaigns, ensuring that something as simple as color helps create a more comfortable and familiar environment for these animals.