[Zylark]

That is to assume my (or your) recollection of being aware, is the same as the age I (or you) became aware.

I know my memory is faulty, and as such, I cannot claim a certain point I figured out I am me. But I do assume most animals do, especially mammals. My infant feeling of self, might be similar to a cats feeling of self. Or maybe cats are smarter. Whatever. Do not matter.

Animals are aware as we are to a degree or other, as we share the same brain structure we do. And of the more basic functions of that brain, is self-awareness. The more basic it is, the earlier it developed. The earlier it developed, the more shared it is. Actually to all the decendants of the first emergence population.

Though a cat cannot say "I chase mouse, therefore I am!", it can say "Human feed me or I'm a ghost!". So cats have free will. Most animals do, except the domesticated ones.