Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > General Forum for cats and dogs

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 18th, 2014, 06:51 PM
kaytiecat kaytiecat is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, Canada
Posts: 8
Question Kitty Obsessed with the mirror?

My oldest cat, Mildred, (6 y/o) has started obsessively staring at herself in the mirror, she never did this before.. is this normal? Should I be worried at all? It's litterally for hours!! She just sits there and moves her head around and then comes up for some pets and then is straight back to the mirror..
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old March 18th, 2014, 10:48 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4,371
Is your cat playing and running around the house at all?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old March 19th, 2014, 08:17 AM
marko's Avatar
marko marko is offline
Administrator - Pet lover
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Montreal Quebec Canada
Posts: 12,651
VERY interesting thread.

I have read/seen somewhere that 'higher' level animals like dolphins can tell that they are looking at themselves when they are looking in a mirror, but other animals can't.

I've never really bought this at a 100% level....

But anyway.....BD, asks a fabulous question

Quote:
Is your cat playing and running around the house at all?
I interpret this question as, has your cat stopped acting like a cat?
Has the cat stopped grooming or playing for instance in favour of looking in the mirror.

If so, then this for me might be a problem and I'd simply cover the mirror or turn it around.

But if not....this might just present additional stimulation for a cat, which might not be a bad thing at all.

VERY curious to hear what other members think of this.
__________________
Please tactfully EDUCATE or IGNORE posters you don't agree with.
Please PM me & Include URLs and post #'s for any issues and it's my pleasure to help.
I'm firm - but fair. Mind the Rules and enjoy your stay.
Newcomers FAQ - How do I post on this BB?
Pet facebook group
Check out the Pet podcast
Follow me on Twitter
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old March 19th, 2014, 11:24 AM
Dog Dancer's Avatar
Dog Dancer Dog Dancer is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,667
As puppies Nikki and Lupa loved to look at themselves in the mirrors. Now they seem more spooked by it when they see themselves in a mirror (we have one hanging in the garage so I think they figure it's another dog). Reflective windows are interesting when we walk past the schools also... I don't get the impression they recognize themselves.

I have to agree I don't think the kitty is in trouble so long as she's still playing and interactive at other times.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old March 19th, 2014, 12:00 PM
kaytiecat kaytiecat is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, Canada
Posts: 8
She has always been a very timid cat-- she usually only plays when your not looking, but she has been playing with a couple of her toys, and since bringing home the baby kitten she has been playing with the kitten alot, they chase each other and snuggle and everything-- other than the sudden obsession with the mirror her behaviour hasn't really changed.

It's strange, because the mirror has been placed there for a couple years and she's never bothered with it until now, and she honestly spends hours staring at it.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old March 19th, 2014, 02:57 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4,371
You should try removing the mirror and see if your cat still sit in the came spot for hours . If it does it could be a sign that something is wrong . I heard of dogs doing this when they're sick One dog had vertigo and started to walk around in circles and stay in on spot for a long time. He was give meds and got better. You could just have a very vain kitty.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:39 AM.