Can Dogs and Cats Recognize Themselves in the Mirror?

Dogs and cats are curious animals that are often attracted to reflective surfaces like mirrors. However, what they see in front of them is not what we imagine: They do not recognize themselves. Scientists have shown that these animals do not possess visual self-awareness, meaning they are unable to recognize their own reflection. When a puppy stands in front of a mirror, it may react as if it sees another animal to play with or confront. This does not mean that dogs and cats lack self-awareness. On the contrary, thanks to their sense of smell, which is their most important sense, they are extremely skilled at recognizing their own scent. Through their sense of smell, our four-legged friends distinguish themselves from others and gather important information about their environment and other animals. What they see in the mirror is just an image without smell and therefore meaningless. Although they do not visually recognize themselves, dogs and cats show a deep awareness of the world around them and their experiences. Ultimately, their perception is simply different from ours, but no less fascinating.