Why Does My Cat Scratch the Mirror? 7 Common Reasons

Cats are born scratchers; these little creatures love to feel the world with their claws, which is why they’ll likely strike their paws at anything near them, including the walls, furniture, and even the mirror.

But why do cats scratch mirrors? Is such behavior safe?

There are various reasons that your feline likes scratching mirrors, from curiosity to seeking your attention or engaging in play. However, such behavior may not be entirely safe for your furry companion.

Read on to learn about why cats scratch mirrors if scratching mirrors is dangerous for your feline, and how to prevent this behavior from occurring again.

The 7 Reasons Cats Scratch the Mirror

1. Curiosity

Cats love to take advantage of their curious nature to explore the world around them. Scratching a particular thing—in this case, a mirror—gives your feline a chance to become familiar with the object and figure out what it’s all about.

If a cat walks by a mirror and sees their reflection, there’s a big possibility that scratching will occur as part of the investigation. Also, cats don’t recognize themselves in mirrors, so your cat may think that there’s another cat in the room and try to scratch the mirror to touch and feel them.

2. Fear

Cats can’t recognize their reflection in the mirror, which is why they can scratch it out of fear. Some cats may get startled when walking past the mirror and seeing “another cat in there.” If your cat is in such a situation, they will likely scratch the mirror as a way to defend their territory from the other cat.

This reason for mirror scratching is especially common in households with just one cat that is typically not used to spending time with other cats. Felines that live in multi-cat households may be less startled and scared when seeing their reflection in the mirror.

3. Seeking Attention

Cats are intelligent and can quickly figure out how to turn things to their own benefit. That said, if your cat has recently started scratching mirrors, and you pay attention to the behavior every time, they will eventually learn that this is a good tactic for getting you to notice them.

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4. Stress

Cats can feel stressed or anxious due to various situations happening around them. These feelings can be overwhelming for felines, which is why they’ll look for ways to relieve stress, and they might just find your mirror the perfect spot to get out all that negative energy. The sound of scratching on the glass can help them feel calmer.

Although this is a way that your cat can calm down, if you notice other signs of stress or anxiousness in your feline, it’s best to consult your vet to prevent further behavioral problems.

5. Play

Cats are usually friendly creatures that like to play and have companionship from other animals. While some cats may fear their reflection, others may find it amusing and may even engage in play by scratching the mirror, walking around it, and playing silly games similar to hide and seek.

6. Behavioral Problems

Cats that don’t get enough care and stimulation throughout the day may look for other ways to eliminate their energy buildup and, therefore, will engage in destructive behaviors like scratching mirrors.

Such behavioral problems can occur for several reasons, which is why you should first consult your vet to rule out any medical problems or hormonal imbalances that your cat might be experiencing.

If your cat is healthy and the mirror scratching is just a form of rebellion, it’s best to strengthen your bond with your cat and provide them with love and security. Cats that are properly stimulated and feel loved and calm are less likely to scratch things inside your home.

7. To Get Out of the Home

It’s possible for cats to scratch mirrors as a way to get out of the house. Since cats don’t understand mirrors and how they work, they may mix up the mirror with a window or a door and scratch it to get out.

They may also think that it’s some sort of barrier, which may encourage them to explore it even more and see if there’s a way to get through the other side.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is It Dangerous for My Cat to Scratch the Mirror?

Generally speaking, the cat’s habit of scratching mirrors is not overly dangerous, but there are a few aspects of this behavior that may put your cat at risk.

For one thing, it’s possible for the mirror to tip over or break and hurt your cat. Felines can also break or crack their nails while scratching glass, as cat claws are not meant to cut glass.

Some cats may experience stress and anxiety when being around the mirror and seeing their reflection. If your cat reacts to mirrors in fear, it’s best to hide them or move them to a location where your cat can’t see them. Otherwise, being exposed to such a stress trigger every day could lead to aggression and other behavioral issues in your feline.

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Scratching Mirrors?

The habit of scratching mirrors in cats can be extremely stressful for humans, and it also carries several potential dangers for cats. Therefore, you should try to prevent this behavior.

Here’s a list of tips that should help cat parents who have pets with this problem:

• Keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated throughout the day.
• Cover the mirror or move it to another room that your cat doesn’t have access to.
• Try to redirect your cat to scratching other, more appropriate objects. Invest in a scratching post or a wall scratcher that will keep your feline engaged.
• Ignore the scratching behavior, and don’t give much attention to your cat when they’re engaging in such activities.
• Be patient and help your cat through the process of stopping the behavior.
• Seek professional help if necessary.

Final Thoughts

Cats are naturally curious and love to scratch everything around them. However, the habit of scratching mirrors can be potentially dangerous, which is why you should prevent it from occurring. You can move the mirror, cover it up, or get a new scratcher for your feline. In any case, you should try to break this habit to spare yourself the stress and keep your cat safe.

• See also: How To Treat a Cat Scratch: Vet-Approved Tips

Featured Image Credit: Irina_Kulikova, Shutterstock