Do cats recognize themselves in mirrors?

Cats generally do not recognize themselves in mirrors, failing the classic mirror self-recognition test. While some animals like chimpanzees, dolphins, and elephants demonstrate this ability, cats typically react to their reflection as if it were another cat or an intriguing environmental feature. They may sniff, vocalize, or try to interact with the "other" cat, but they don't grasp that the image is a representation of themselves. For a deeper dive into animal intelligence and self-awareness, explore our comprehensive article.