Cats are undoubtedly very intelligent creatures. But do their intellectual abilities allow them to realize that they are seeing themselves in the mirror?
To find out, scientists conducted many tests and analyses.
For example, in one of them, paint was applied to the animal's face and then the animal was asked to look at itself in the mirror. The researchers assumed that if the cat recognized itself, it would try to get rid of the paint.
Unfortunately or fortunately, cats did not pass this test.
This allowed experts to suggest that in the mirror, members of the feline family see a stranger.
This also explains the unusual reaction of pets to what they see - you have probably noticed that the reflection in the mirror arouses interest in purrs, which subsequently passes.
Interest in the reflection is lost, because over time the animals understand that the creature on the other side of the mirror does not pose a threat - it does not smell, and it cannot be touched.
As a result, your pet will stop paying attention to its reflection, as it has realized that it is just an illusion.