Expert: Brandy - 2/21/2007

Question
It is my understanding that cats do not recognize themselves however they seem to recognize when another cat is around.  For instance...my cat gets very excited when she sees another cat on the fence but I hold her up to a mirror and she doesn't seem to see a cat. Whats your insight?  I'm baffeled.  Thanks Jacklyn

Answer
Me too. Actually, at least in my opinion, cats can recognize themselves in mirrors. When we had kittens, it was funny watching them arch their backs and see another kitten, then try to find the other kitten behind the mirror. Or, if there are more than one cat in the house, they may see their reflection in the mirror, and assume it's just another cat in the house.

So, in rhetorical sense, they see themselves, but may not recognize themselves. This would be a great topic to bring up when sitting around a BBQ and a keg of beer (but be sure to be the one drinking soda and with a camcorder handy to see how others deal with this issue.