Some of our cats are pretty scrappy individuals. Many of them won’t hesitate and refuse to back down from a fight or protect themselves.
Even if it’s with themselves.
According to The Spruce, some cats have an aggressive reaction to seeing themselves in the mirror. Some cats will hiss, self-inflate, and draw back their ears at the sight of themselves.
The Spruce theorizes that some cats believe they are coming in contact with a predator when they see their reflection.
“Once a cat ‘learns’ that THIS plus THAT equals fear/upset/aggression, the cat often generalizes so he doesn’t need to think in the future,” they write. “Just the sight of a shiny surface may be enough to upset tender kitty feelings.”
They also suggest that it might have something to do with the way they see.
“Also, think about how cat sense differ from people. Cat fact conformation-eyes at the front for binocular vision lends itself to seeing reflections. But most times, reflection doesn’t also have a strange odor or unique sound attached so the reflection isn’t important or ‘real” without a signature odor or noises.”
Sometimes cats that have come into contact with other cats through windows can also become upset when they see their own reflection.
“They often attempt to find the other cat by pawing underneath or at the side of the mirror to ‘get around’ the barrier preventing contact,” The Spruce says. “Cats may do this when they see TV images of birds or other critters, mistaking the screen for a window. The lurking outdoor cat presence primes the mirror-gazing kitty to becomes suspicious so his fearful reflection also triggers defensive body language. And seeing his own aggressive/fear/defensive language in his reflection makes him think that cat-in-the-mirror means business, so he reacts accordingly.”
Whatever the reason for the reaction, Simon Newport’s cat Wiske’s reaction to seeing himself for the first time is absolutely hilarious.
The cat basically has a full on brawl with his reflection.
First, Wiske paws at the mirror, then he starts to box and spar with it. He becomes suspicious for a bit and moves around. Curious as to why the other cat is mimicking his same exact movements. Wiske then attacks the mirror again. Jumping at it only to bounce back off it again.
This confuses him.
But nonetheless, he continues to try and engage with this “OTHER” cat. It’s ridiculously adorable you can watch it in the video below.
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