Previously, I’ve shared with you one of the discussions in an online forum on animals concerning dogs identification of their same breed. Today, I’ll share with you another subject, concerning cats this time. I’ve read discussions about cat behavior involving mirrors from an online forum. One participant shared his first-hand experience with Ross, a five-month-old kitten from an animal shelter. While spending a night in a hotel room in preparation for a television feature about kittens housed on animal shelters, the participant, whom I shall call James, had observed Ross’s bad reaction to his own reflection in the mirror. Ross self-inflated, hissed, drew back his ears, then immediately hid under the bed. Meanwhile, another forum participant shared that her cat seems to enjoy and feel at ease in front of a mirror. On several occasions, she caught her cat laying paw on its reflection on the mirror and looking at itself intently. Several others shared their experiences in variety; some are upsetting reactions while some are funny and adorable. Even on the television series The Planet’s Funniest Animals, there are videos caught on tape of cats’ estrange reactions in front of the mirror.
No one concluded an accurate answer on what a cat thinks when it sees its reflection on the mirror. However, if we are to answer do cats understand mirrors, it is a big yes, but the perception varies and may never come to light unless a human brain links to a cat brain. Observantly, cat understands mirrors because they react to it but we can never tell the level of understanding they acquire. Animal researches and studies on comparative sciences disclosed a theory relevant to cats and their perception on mirrors suggesting self-awareness.
Self-awareness is linked to the advanced intellectual skill of animals innate with developed frontal lobes, like cats. Cats have inborn intelligence that concludes their capacity to learn, solve problems, adapt to their environment, and react to their surroundings.
Kittens seem to enjoy their reflection more than grown cats. This may be due to their intellectual capacity because a grown cat may perceive its reflection as another cat thus gets threatened or intimidated. This encourages aggressiveness and distress. A member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants suggested ways on how to
Help cats cope with mirror-angst. Covering up mirrors and other reflective surfaces may ease distress among cats but sooner, they must learn to associate themselves with it. Cat owners may help their pets by introducing mirrors with their presence, comfort, and treats.