Cats do not recognize themselves in mirrors. They tend to see their reflection as another cat, which may trigger curiosity, defensiveness, or indifference depending on the individual cat. Unlike humans and some other animals, cats rely primarily on their sense of smell rather than vision for identification, so visual self-recognition through mirrors is not within their cognitive ability according to the mirror self-recognition test commonly used in animal cognition studies.
Mirror Self-Recognition Test
The mirror self-recognition (MSR) test places a mark on an animal that can only be seen via a mirror. If the animal uses the mirror to investigate or touch the mark on its body, it is considered evidence of self-recognition. Cats typically fail this test, unlike some species such as great apes, dolphins, and elephants.
Typical Cat Behaviors in Front of Mirrors
- Curiosity: Some cats paw at or investigate their reflection as if it were another cat.
- Defensiveness: Some may show aggression like puffing their tails, arching backs, or hissing.
- Indifference: Others may ignore the mirror after an initial inspection.
Why Cats Don’t Recognize Themselves
Cats heavily rely on senses other than vision, especially smell, for identification. Since a reflection lacks scent and other familiar sensory cues, cats do not associate the image with themselves. Their cognitive ability for integrating visual self-awareness appears limited compared to humans and some other animals.
Conclusion
Cats do not recognize themselves in mirrors in the way humans do. Their reaction to their reflection typically reflects instinctual responses to what they perceive as another cat rather than self-awareness.
