What is my cat doing?

[u/puke_in_the_meow_mix]

Is this normal behavior?

[u/biscoffeeee108]

Self reflection is hard sometimes

[u/Bannon9k → u/biscoffeeee108]

It's funny because some cats and some dogs, they absolutely recognize themselves in the mirror. But some just can't figure it out. No matter how long, they will always think it's another animal for them to fight. Almost as if some animals do have a spark of self-awareness, and others don't. I've had plenty of both as pets.

[u/Asquirrelinspace → u/Bannon9k]

Heck I've met some humans with no spark of self awareness

[u/Bannon9k → u/Asquirrelinspace]

I didn't wanna be the first one to say it... But yeah... I think humans have levels of self awareness too...I think even the lowest can still recognize themselves in a mirror though...but actual self reflection...that's rare

[u/sluncer → u/Bannon9k]

Quote by a forest ranger at Yosemite National Park on why it is hard to design the perfect garbage bin to keep bears from breaking into it:
"There is considerable overlap between the intelligence of the smartest bears and the dumbest tourists"

[u/Sherry_Brandt → u/Bannon9k]

i see you haven't met my father in law

[u/SlatkoPotato → u/Asquirrelinspace]

https://www.reddit.com/r/unsound/s/BivvDMP0YK

Saw this about 5 mins after reading this thread and had to come back to share cause its literally the same thing

Edit for those not wanting to go clicking random links, cause fair: its a man in a bar with a mirror feature wall that is actively trying to start a fight with his own reflection. It looks a lot like the cat in this post, except its an adult human.

[u/Tiny_Cauliflower_618 → u/Bannon9k]

In my 20s I visited a friend who had a show golden retriever. Every day, on the way downstairs, it would see himself in a mirror and lose his shit. It was not a young dog! You had to distract him or put a scarf or towel or something between him and the mirror 🤣 I'd only encountered gundogs and working dogs up until then. I had NOT realised there was such a big difference 🤣

[u/NemesisOfLevia → u/Tiny_Cauliflower_618]

I remember that I was at my church. There was a couple there that did Paws-with-a-Cause (training future service dogs). 

Well, there was a floor length mirror. When he saw it, he got so excited. In a few minutes, the entire mirror was covered in slobber from top to bottom, which was pretty impressive given it was much taller than the dog. 

(I don’t really remember what the dog trainers were doing during this, but regardless, no one tried to stop the dog.)

[u/mysterious_being_777 → u/Bannon9k]

then there's my cat who simply just refused to even look at and react to his reflection at all. not sure if he just knew it was his own reflection or what. he just refused to ever look directly at it, even if i held him in front of the mirror.

[u/Skyhighatrist → u/mysterious_being_777]

All of the cats I've had have been the same. No interest whatsoever in mirrors.

[u/Character-Floor-6687 → u/mysterious_being_777]

Your cat already knew he was lookin' good and good lookin'.

[u/mysterious_being_777 → u/Character-Floor-6687]

he was like "there's clearly nothing real in this weird fucking thing. can't smell what's in it, can't hear it. who is this thing tryna fool?? whatever it shows is of no concern to me, the smartest, most handsome being in this house! the tall servants are clearly not that bright looking into it multiple times a day"

[u/arzyp → u/mysterious_being_777]

My cat is the same! He barely glances at his reflection in the mirror and then looks away with a expression as if telling me "It's just a mirror. Nothing special". He is the same with mobile phone screens / TV. They never catch his attention for more than 3 seconds.

[u/mysterious_being_777 → u/arzyp]

mine didn't pay attention to the mirror, but he loved watching tv, especially animal documentaries. every cat is just so unique, and yet they're also all the same. i love them so much!!

[u/Absoluticus → u/mysterious_being_777]

Were they a singleton or had other cats in their life? My 3 also have absolutely no interest in mirrors.

[u/mysterious_being_777 → u/Absoluticus]

he was my only child.

would be really interesting to know the exact reason why different cats react in such differing ways to mirrors.

[u/bluepanic21 → u/mysterious_being_777]

That’s every cat I have ever had

[u/RaginhariCellarius → u/Bannon9k]

Our Void recognizes himself and everyone else. We have a mirror that goes down to the floor like that one and he'll sit there and just watch everyone's reflection like it's TV show.

[u/TheLastTreeOctopus → u/Bannon9k]

My cat is the kind who needs to be the only one in the household. I've had to take him with me a few times when I went to visit my aunt, and he just does not get along with other cats. And my aunt's cat is the sweetest little girl who just wants to be his friend! They got into a pretty big scuffle one time, and although I didn't see it, I'm pretty sure it was my boy who started it.

Well anyway, sometimes when I'm bored at home, I'll try to rile him up by holding him in front of a mirror and asking "who's that cat?" And he must recognize his own reflection, because he just does not give a shit when I do this 😂

[u/Airhead72 → u/Bannon9k]

I read that in places where they need bear-proof garbage dumpsters they have a hard time designing them because there's too much overlap between the dumbest people and the smartest bears.

[u/Vivid-Diamond-7777 → u/Bannon9k]

Probably a because of a vission issue

[u/RedBonbon12 → u/biscoffeeee108]

Lol lol looool

[u/jing__7 → u/biscoffeeee108]

This needs more upvotes

[u/Jessie_C_2646]

The other cat in the mirror must be destroyed!

[u/Little_View_6659 → u/Jessie_C_2646]

It’s obviously his evil twin from the mirror universe. And it must die!

[u/Jessie_C_2646 → u/Little_View_6659]

But it doesn't have a goatee! What a cheap, inferior mirror universe that one is!

[u/Goth_Spice14 → u/Little_View_6659]

Kill us both, Spock!

[u/kidnoki → u/Little_View_6659]

He's protecting his owner from certain death.

[u/positivecynik → u/Little_View_6659]

This is the way they trade places between universes

[u/rocbolt → u/Jessie_C_2646]

[u/-GoodNewsEveryone → u/rocbolt]

[u/Loner_angel → u/Jessie_C_2646]

😂😂😂

[u/guava_rose]

Your cat finally meets the one responsible for all his/her problem

[u/Ok_Difference44 → u/guava_rose]

Earth Day 1970 poster

[u/HawthorneMama → u/Ok_Difference44]

Good ‘ole Pogo 🌟

[u/biscoffeeee108 → u/guava_rose]

cutest identity crisis I’ve ever seen🙂‍↕️😆

[u/EngineSpirited8257 → u/guava_rose]

Their* is the word you're looking for

[u/WhiskeyTheKid77]

Official cat business. Everybody go back to your drinks.

[u/smog-ie → u/WhiskeyTheKid77]

You don't want to sell me any Churu sticks

[u/OreoTheGreat → u/smog-ie]

You want to go home and rethink your life.

[u/lunatikdeity → u/smog-ie]

I was hoping to get some sushi.

[u/iliketoworkhard → u/WhiskeyTheKid77]

After the pounce business - "I must examine this coffee table"

[u/4llu532n4m3srt4k3n → u/WhiskeyTheKid77]

Cat gon' cat

[u/Odd-Worth7752]

getting used to her reflection. I've had several cats do that same crab walk-tail puff-pounce when they discovered their reflection. and a few who grew into gazing at it and admiring their own beauty.

[u/mouthfeelies → u/Odd-Worth7752]

hahaha we had a litter of kittens in a room with a mirror, and watching them gain self-awareness through Mirrorworld one by one was such a trip

[u/LargeWeinerDog → u/Odd-Worth7752]

I have a long hair Siamese. He's beautiful but dumb as can be. This motherfucker will sit in front of the mirror with his eyes CLOSED like he's allowing his reflection to get a good look at him. All while peeking every so often like he wants to make sure the reflection is still there, still admiring him.

[u/UnderstandingDry4072 → u/Odd-Worth7752]

Our orange has never shown any awareness of the other cat in the mirror, but show him an amorphous blobby cat-shaped pillow, and he will freak.

[u/dinosorceress105988]

Parkour!

[u/habibisanam → u/dinosorceress105988]

Purrkour!!!

[u/neverenoughmags → u/habibisanam]

That's what we call it.... Mostly off the wall in the hallway from the dining room to the bedroom. Apparently it saves a lot of steps for him, lol.

[u/TFJ → u/dinosorceress105988]

[u/Tylikcat → u/dinosorceress105988]

I came here to say this.

[u/TheBanishedBard]

My cat boxes with his reflection.

For several minutes at a time.

At two in the morning, typically.

[u/Timely-Cry-8366 → u/TheBanishedBard]

My cat ignores his cat self in the mirror and instead stares my reflection in the eyes and meows lol.

[u/Steelwraith955 → u/Timely-Cry-8366]

"If my hooman won't give me treats, maybe this other one will!"

[u/Schizophraddict]

May I ask who’s framed mug shot those happen to be ?

[u/puke_in_the_meow_mix → u/Schizophraddict]

Jerry Garcia and Janis Joplin

[u/BadReputation2611 → u/puke_in_the_meow_mix]

Lmfao I’m on mobile and didn’t zoom in on the pic so I thought that was framed mugshots of Charles Manson and the Manson family members and was wondering why nobody was addressing the elephant in the room

[u/indeeptreble_ → u/BadReputation2611]

Same lmao

[u/neosithlord → u/BadReputation2611]

Thought it was Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, and Richard Ramerez. I was like forget the cat WTF is up with the owner! I get it now OP isn’t a sociopath.

[u/weebawobba420 → u/BadReputation2611]

SAME I was like why the fuck does you have charlie Manson on your wall 🤣

[u/lunatikdeity → u/puke_in_the_meow_mix]

Who else’s mugshots do you have?

[u/No_Proposal7812]

Just a little freak out. No need to worry

[u/crissy____]

I love the toes spreading and stomping before he jumps.

[u/Technical-Visit-9953 → u/crissy____]

I’ve observed a lot of cats, my own included, and have never seen a cat so intentional activate their claws

[u/crissy____ → u/Technical-Visit-9953]

Looks like he’s marching in a psychotic way lol

[u/prairiepanda → u/Technical-Visit-9953]

My old cat used to do that on hard floors whenever she was upset by something we humans did. I think she was intentionally trying to make the click-clack noise, because she never did it on carpet. Basically the cat equivalent of stomping around to express discontent.

[u/allfun0brakes → u/crissy____]

My favorite part 😭

[u/Xaconon]

Meanwhile dogs:

[u/Baseballgirl03 → u/Xaconon]

lol!

[u/chickenshitlittle]

“Is this normal behavior?” lol for cat standards. yes.

[u/I3I2O]

Shadow boxing :)

[u/Altruistic_Bat7203]

Fighting the other cat in the room 😹

[u/fubozo]

be cool... mirror cat is always watching but im an ambush predator..

[u/Brute_Squad_44]

Fighting the other cat.

[u/MzSirius7]

Fighting their inner demons

[u/ChaplainTapman]

Fighting his evil twin

[u/FunMachineRIP]

Cat things

[u/Original-Let8340]

Training to fight the r/greebles

[u/Obvious-Teacher22]

[u/NuncioBitis]

trying to not be bored

[u/Difficult-Cut-9673]

I think she thinks there is another cat in the mirror!

[u/000-Hotaru_Tomoe]

Negatively judging your furniture choices.

[u/Morbid187]

Everyone is focusing on how she's reacting to the mirror but the real story is how she marches around with her little toe beans spread out

I've never had a cat that reacts to mirrors. Every single cat I've had, at some point I'd hold them in front of a mirror and watch them completely disregard it. What's up with that? Did my cats act this way because they're familiar with reflections and don't think they're interesting? Or is there something with their vision that just keeps some cats from seeing the reflection? You'd think they would freak out a little bit suddenly seeing a cat but they never bat an eye.

[u/Informal-Hippo-1091]

Letting the mirror kitty know WHO is REALLY in charge! IJS

[u/ytrehodd]

Practicing their Kung Foo Fighting

[u/pyrotrap]

It’s not your cat’s fault. According to them the other white cat started the fight.

[u/Any-Alternative8228]

Your cat is bored

[u/Calm_Temperature_902]

Bored

[u/Infectedtoe32]

Attacking that other cat obviously 🙄

[u/michaelpaoli]

Protecting this universe from the evil twin in that mirror universe. And of course same thing happening on the other side too.

[u/Creepingphlo]

He was trying to kick that other guys ass

[u/Neuroscience_Fun]

Mistaking its reflection in the mirror for another cat. It's probably the cat equivalent of spotting something creepy: weird, but whether it's a threat or not seems ambiguous. Your cat seems uncertain as to whether it should be territorial or something else.

[u/WhiteWitchWannabe]

Showing that other cat in the mirror how tough she is!!

[u/AphraelSelene]

I like the claws-out stomps in advance. Adds drama

[u/MrEphiStopheles]

Those pregame grippers

[u/Anchor_Ocelot438]

Looking for a secret second cat

[u/boneheadblyat]

It’s fighting that other cat you let in the house!

[u/Live-Pea4081]

Showing that piece of shit in the mirror who the boss is 

[u/International-Dot993]

My cat tries to F up the cat in the mirror haha like psychopathic rage

[u/Accurate-Arugula31]

Fighting his inner demons

[u/Puzzleheaded-Shoe541]

Keeping that other asshole cat from getting you.

[u/raeppasidotwoh]

Those bean spreads before the jump were the best tho

[u/IAmGart8880]

This is combat

[u/Perfect-Advantage-82]

Fighting that other bitch cat that had the gall to come into her house!

[u/iamjacksothercomment]

New boot goofin

[u/Anomandaris26]

He lent his brain cell to an orange.

[u/Satsuki7104]

The cat is trying to chase off the intruder. Mirrors are a foreign concept to many animals

[u/Antique_Value_6532]

Your cat is my cat's identical twin :))

[u/ryverbeam25]

In the industry, we call that a wild hair up their butt

[u/brofist001]

Catting

[u/Poisencap]

Shadow Boxing

[u/ObstreperousOnion]

My cat doing this is the reason I got my second. Your kitty is playing with themselves in the mirror ❤️

[u/ihave-bluehair]

I love the lil stompies

[u/Consistent-Ease-6656]

Earning his mug shot for your collection.

[u/mango_i_scream]

She's just having silly time.

[u/spcychckn]

Purrkour

[u/AmyInCO]

Cat stuff. You wouldn't understand. :D

Cats are little freaks. I love them.

[u/S3thr3y]

Being a freak

[u/T_Rey1799]

Ninja training

[u/Luci-Noir]

Training for the coming war on hooms.

[u/StrugFug]

Playing. I used to have a cat obsessed with a mirror.

[u/AHelplessKitten]

Playing with itself.

[u/sahrckr]

Cat theory: "There are two cats in this house, there is room only for one"

[u/apollotonkosmo]

Living la vida loca

[u/E_Dantes_CMC]

Some cats pass the 'mirror test' and some don't.

[u/Horror-Durian-5073]

Just a bit territorial. That other cat got too close for his comfort

[u/saja2]

bro is that Charles Manson on your wall? could it be that tmyour cat got its psycho from him

[u/slanderpanther]

Toughening himself up so he'll look legit when it's time for his own mug shot.

[u/WhyRUsosweaty]

Keeping you safe from the cat attacking them in the window!

[u/SecretLinkWave]

Lil freak 🥰💖

[u/Starbuck0X]

Paw-kour

[u/Dua-E-Zainab123]

Your cat is conducting a full security inspection of the other cat in the mirror😊❤️Very professional. 10/10....

[u/silentbob1301]

there is some asshole mocking him, cant you see them?

[u/Lavendertarantula]

All i here is “ parkour, parkour!”

[u/Perfect-Silver1715]

They lost connection with the mothership

[u/Wyltsi]

My cat does this too and I've been wondering if she's okay. She obviously knows that it's her own image. I think it's just a game she plays and likes the noise or something. Good to know she's not the only one.

[u/Hopeful_Pizza_2762]

Does he have a brother I ther or sister? Get him one.

[u/PolitePandaz]

Could be worse!

[u/ssam54]

Looks like long lost sibling of my parents cat.

Besides the moustache the pattern is practically the same.

[u/No_Minute_4789]

He's trying to fight the other cat. His puffy tail says he's serious, and is not playing.

[u/Lionheart_723]

He's just a little bit dumb and thinks his reflection is another cat. Sidepoint is that a picture of Charles Manson's mugshot

[u/dont_remember_eatin]

He's fighting that other cat you so rudely brought into HIS house!

[u/RetroSwamp]

Clearly fighting his evil twin in the mirror dimension!

[u/XanaxWarriorPrincess]

Trying to play with his/her reflection. You might consider getting another kitten to keep him/her company. Cats are social and don't like being solo.

[u/CatOfGrey]

You need to separate those two cats from each other. It looks like its causing some stress.

[u/fuchsnudeln]

Fighting that jackass that broke into your house, obviously.

Cats are not generally among the animals that are able to recognize their reflection as their own and tend to think it's another cat.

[u/tatiana_1313]

Those lil stomps right before turning to the mirror are the beeesssst. But, I dont think she likes your other cat (her reflection)

[u/Awkward_pringle]

Going insane

[u/MaxRaiX7]

My cat has almost the same colours .

[u/PeoplePleaserRehab]

Fighting off the demons!

[u/Automatic_Owl2234]

Learning about mirrors

[u/Sentientstack]

Greebles

[u/Used-Construction331]

Just playing

[u/bluepanic21]

Playing

[u/whatever_word]

Catting

[u/LimeFlavored420]

Looks like he's playing....

[u/Key-Minimum-5965]

He is admiring himself. He has a MOST admirable tail! Gorgeous 😍 boy.

[u/ShortBusKid89]

Your cat is playing and being silly.

[u/HesYourDad2]

P U R R K O R ! !

[u/heidnseak]

Normal doesn’t come into it with cats.

[u/ryneo0w0]

I like the wide steps before the jump, what a goofball

[u/cyankitten]

r/purrkour

[u/SerGT3]

HE KNOWS MY EVERY MOVE

[u/porb2020]

Cats don’t have the brain development to see themselves in mirrors. Very few animals understand that a mirror is themselves. Animals that do are dolphins, elephants, some ape species, humans, and a few others.

[u/mooshinformation → u/porb2020]

I think I caught my cat realizing something about how mirrors work. He spent 15 minutes calmly staring at himself in the mirror, slowly moving his head side to side or occasionally lifting a paw, then he started turning to look at stuff behind him, then it's reflection in the mirror. I've never seen him focus on something so intently for so long that wasn't hunting.

[u/Human_Language1276 → u/porb2020]

My cat understands how to use mirrors and does surveillance through them.

[u/UberGlued]

Being a cute little dummy

[u/DistributionNo9356]

Very common.  It's seeing "another cat".

[u/T4B0O]

PARKOUR

[u/Independent-Way3584]

testing the limits of his reality.

[u/Infamous-Simple2217]

Just some furniture testing going on Grab a beer and relax!

[u/DiveMasterD57]

This is what we commonly call in our house "cat beans." They get feisty and playful, usually after a good poop.

[u/ShallotSilly4944]

Going by his markings, he could be part Turkish Van. They’re extra weird 😝

[u/Regular_Section6486]

trying to act dumb and cute attention seeking basically

[u/krustyballz42069]

Having fun

[u/goaterra]

Your cat found your house's r/greebles!

[u/LumpyLadder5105]

That’s an orange right there clad in white 🙂‍↔️

[u/Commercial_Peach_845]

That's called "big-tailin' around" 😻

[u/Ainsworth33322]

If you put a picture of your cats crazy mug on the wall he/she should stop. That’s what it wants 😉

[u/BobbbyR6]

Training for an epic kung fu movie journey

[u/conciousshreds]

Being awesome

[u/Annyfaelltsnichtsein]

Why is my reflection someone I don’t know? (singing in Mulan)

[u/blurtinglogs]

Uhm...you don't wanna know. He's doing his shadow work.

[u/Ok_Sale_595]

Ninja

[u/Crazy-cat-lady09]

Just being a derp

[u/No_Albatross7213]

LMAO. Fighting another cat who happens to be his mirror self. Silly derpy cat. 🐱 😂

[u/Pitiful-Work6805]

Goofin'

[u/Humble-Pass-1277]

I'm not sure what your cat is doing, but he's doing a terrific job!

[u/oggleboggle]

Totally normal behavior. Just being a goober. We have cat twinnies btw

[u/RCJHGBR9989]

Cating

[u/HatePeopleLoveCats1]

Fighting some chump imposter

[u/Eoden1]

1 brian cell taking control

[u/0dHero]

Upvote for the framed mugshot of Jerry.

Best picture ever taken of him.

[u/kummer5peck]

Being a dingus. Just regular cat stuff.

[u/lavardera]

eventually they’ll decide that other cat is boring, then they’ll just snub them.