A kitten's encounter with its reflection is a funny moment. It is clear that young cats, like infants, do not understand what a mirror is and how it works. But why do furry ones experience fear and such a reaction?
It is natural for cats to be afraid of unfamiliar and new objects. Most often, a fluffy kitten will jump back in fright from the mirror or start arching its back and hissing at its reflection. Let’s figure out why this happens.
Why Are Cats Afraid of Mirrors?
Adult cats that have lived in homes with mirrors for a long time usually get scared less often by the “cat behind the glass.” Binocular vision allows the animal to see its reflection. However, an adult pet realizes that the creature in the mirror does not have a unique smell and does not make sounds, therefore it is not real, like a stuffed toy.
On the other hand, for a kitten, the presence of a hidden cat in the mirror raises suspicions, so the defensive posture is a perfectly normal reaction. However, the aggressive stance in the reflection begins to be perceived as a threat, which leads to an increase in the real pet's excitement. This creates a vicious circle. When the little one is very excited, it acts rather than thinks. That is why the kitten will need time to understand that the reflection does not possess a smell or sound.
Kittens often try to reach out to the other cat by placing their paws on the mirror or beside it. They also perform similar actions when looking at images of birds or other animals on television.
Are Mirrors Harmful to Cats?
In general, there is nothing dangerous about a cat being scared of a mirror. Each time the animal experiences anxiety from what it sees, it learns to cope with its emotions and overcome fear. Nevertheless, there are several actions that an owner can take to help their pet deal with stress:
If possible, reduce the number of mirrors in the house. A pet can be frightened even by a translucent reflection it sees in a window. If there are too many mirrors in your apartment, it is better to remove some of them and add them gradually so that the kitten can adapt more easily to the new experience. If it is not possible to get rid of the mirrors, they can be covered with paper at the cat's eye level.
Try playing with your pet near the mirror. Important: do not train the cat or scold it; it is necessary that the time spent brings the animal only positive emotions.
Observe what causes such a reaction. It often happens that cats that are let outside begin to fear mirrors after contact with outdoor tail-wagging bandits. If you notice that this is the case, try to minimize your pet's contact with street animals.
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