A couple of years ago I bought a cat toy from the grocery store.
It looked kind of like an octopus, with a fuzzy ball and then
8 legs coming out of the bottom.  They came in 2 different colors,
with this particular one being red and white.

I have four cats, and Patty was the only one interested in the
octopus toy.  I would occasionally see her carrying it around in
her mouth, but mostly it would just appear someplace.  I'd walk
downstairs, and there it was.  I'd walk in the kitchen, and there
it was.  I'd walk upstairs, and there it was on the steps.  That
octopus really got around!

Eventually the octopus developed a hole in its body and I picked up
another one at the grocery store.  No red and white ones available
so I got one that was purple, green, and yellow.  I threw the
old toy away, and put out the new one.  Poor new octopus didn't
move an inch unless I moved it.  I really thought she would enjoy
this one like she did the old one.

I donated the new octopus to a friend with kittens.  Another time at the
grocery store I found another red and white one.  I thought I'd give
a try, and darn if Patty didn't take to the new red and white
octopus like she had the old one.  Octopus is all over the house again
and it is a pleasure to see him.  I know it means that Patty is enjoying
carrying it around again :-).

So do you think cats can see color in detail enough to prefer a red
and white octopus over a purple, green, and yellow one?  Personally
I preferred the red and white one, but I didn't think it would matter to
her.  Maybe purple, green, and yellow octopi smell as unattractive
as they look.

Debbie
dberry@mitre.org