For people, a mirror is a portal to a parallel world.
But what happens when a cat appears in front of him? She doesn't admire herself, make funny faces, or try to become an "influencer."
Her reaction is a mixture of curiosity, indifference and… mild disappointment. Now you will find out why.
Cats don't recognize themselves in the reflection. For them, it's just "another cat" that suddenly appears in their territory.
But why then do some pets ignore mirrors, while others hiss or try to play?
It all depends on the character. Aggressive individuals see an opponent in the reflection and are ready to attack.
Curious - trying to figure out where the "stranger" disappears to when they turn away.
But there are also those who quickly lose interest because the “mirror cat” does not smell and does not move like a real one.
The most surprising thing is the reaction of kittens. They often perceive the reflection as a fellow to play with, but, not receiving an answer, they switch to something else.
Adult cats rarely look at a mirror for more than a few seconds, proving that they are unable to pass the "self-awareness test" like some monkeys or elephants.
But there is a nuance: cats recognize you in the mirror. If you stand next to them, the pet will turn to the real you, not to the reflection. For them, you are the main object in this “movie”.
So what do they see? A world in which there is a mysterious double, but without sounds, smells and tactile sensations.
For a cat, it's like a daydream - interesting but meaningless. Perhaps that's why they shrug so philosophically and walk away.
And your attempts to give them a mirror for entertainment are just another human oddity. Isn't it funny?
Author: Kurchev Anton