Because we cats live in the present, people often wonder if we retain memories the same way humans do. And of course, there’s always the worry every human has: If I go away, will my cat forget me? There’s a recent story on that, and I wanted to add my thoughts.
Typically, although there has been research into dog memory, there hasn’t been a lot about cat memory retention. But anecdotal proof is out there. In fact, my human has experienced it in a surprising way.
Here’s the story. She and her ex-boyfriend split up nearly four years ago, and he and her dad’s cat, Smokey, moved to Nashville not long after. Since then, the two of them have found new partners, and it turns out that her ex’s girlfriend enjoys watching videos of me. So she was watching one of my videos, in which my human was narrating, and Smokey’s ears immediately perked up! She was looking around to see where my human was. And she literally hadn’t seen my human in years. (Don’t worry, Smokey is very much loved and well cared for. Even if she misses my human, it’s not that much!)
Like humans, dogs, and many other animals, cats have sense memory and associative memory. It’s just logical. How else would cats in the wild remember the good places to hunt, and the dangerous areas to avoid? Part of the survival instinct involves memory.
And even if your cat has never had a life outside of four walls (like me), that survival instinct is still there. The only difference is your cat relies on you for survival, so they will remember routines and human behavior that have an effect on that. And cats learn by both positive reinforcement and by consequences. Each of these, of course, involve memory.
Of course, humans like to think they are something more to their cats than a mere tool for survival. Yes they are, and yes, memory does play a part in that. The stronger bond you build with your cat, the more good memories you both will have. You’ll find some suggestions on how to do that in the links below this post.
So don’t be concerned — your cat will remember you, especially if you create activities and routines worth remembering.
Have you had an experience where a cat remembered you after a long time? If you have, let me know in the comments.
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- How Your Cat Says I Love You… and Ways They DON’T Want You to Say It Back
- Cat Rituals — The Way to Bond With Your Cat
- How to Bond With Your Cat – 8 Tips
My beautiful 14 year old cat remembers everything! Ever since she was a little kitten several times a year we would take a long 5 hour drive to stay with my parents, mostly at a holidays. She would ride in her crate, facing me while the rest of the crate was covered in a towel. I realized pretty quickly that the rushing of other cars was disconcerting to Daisy, but if she could see me she would relax and fall asleep. Every single time we got to the exit (!) that lead to my parent’s home, she would wake up. she remembered the smells and the sounds. She knew from the first moment where we were going. And she would get more interested in the landscape passing by my window as we got closer. And when we arrived she was very happy to get out and go inside to ‘our’ bedroom (the guest bedroom), and then start her exploration of the house. If my parents were awake she would greet them and then walk directly to the guest bedroom. She also remembers my sister, she adores her and lets her scratch her belly! She is also knows many of our neighbors at our home. And remembers them even if she hasn’t seen them in a while- they are always charmed by this. And of course, every time I have to clip her toenails- she remembers the 2 times I pinched her nail – and never lets me forget that this happened. She makes alot of noise, but trusts me enough to let me give her a weekly mani-pedi. I have learned so much from her- and from you Summer!
THE REASON IM WRITING IS MY 3 CATS SURVIVED A BAD HOUSE FIRE. THEY ANIMALS WERE TANSPORTED TO AN ER VET FACCILITY. THEY WERE THEIR OVERNIGHTT ON OXYGEN. THANK GOD THEY SURVIVED. ITS BEEN OVER 66 MONTHS. THEY ARE OK BUT ARENT WHAT THEY WERE. DO THEY REMEEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM THAT FTAL NIGHT OF OUR HOUSE BURNING DOWN. THANK YOU SO MUCH IF YOU COULD TELL HOW THAT LEFT THEM. LORRAINE
GRATE post summer!!!
BellaSita Mum meowed to mee efurry cat shee rescued when shee was part of Feral Cat Group reememburred her when shee wuud go vissit them 1,2,4, even 8 weekss later!!!
Purrsonally as soon BellaSita ternss xhaust fan over stove mee goess to hide beecaucse mee knowss stewpid smokey deerector will fo off an mee *hatess* that noise!
An when “SWAT” comess on Tee V, mee heerss Mistur Shemar’ss voice an mee iss rite on Tee V stand rubbin Tee V 😉
Mee has FURRY uud memoree!
**purrss** BellaDharma an {{hugss}} BellaSita Mum
Mom has no doubt that all animals will remember the people that are kind to them. She says us cats have a way better memory than she does. Now what she really wants to know is how we know when it’s our turn to go to the vet. Last time it was Yin and Yang’s turn, Mom had been gone all morning. She rushed home to take them and No PTUs were left in sight and while me (Chimera) and Scylla stayed lounging in our purrfered beds Yin and Yang hid. In fact Yang hid so well he had to go the next day. MOL Yin’s idea of hiding is to get under Mom’s bed, but she does have to get the gardening gloves (the ones for roses that come up to her elbows and are thick leather) on to fetch her out and stuff her in the PTU as Yin who is normally the gentlest cat alive and lets the grandkids pet her will attack when being taken to the vet.
I’ve never been in that situation. I do believe cats have great memories. This is a bad example but I was using febreeze spray and didn’t see Princess. A tiny bit hit her. That was years ago. If I use anything that sprays she heads for the hills
TBT: I loved this post! I was once forced (kicking and screaming) to go out of town for 4 weeks negotiating a government contract (I was the “technical evaluator”). My housemate was NOT thrilled about feeding the cat and cleaning the litterbox, but he agreed. And then it became 6 weeks.
I was of many minds about it. First, a good career opportunity. Second, we were put up in a 4 star hotel in Ft Worth and there was a great restaurant across the street. Actually, I ate dinner at the cheap Chinese place nearby, but every few days my team ate at the good one. And there were a few other interesting ones in walking distance (BBQ and sawdust on the floor).
The Ft Worth Water Gardens are truly something to see and they were on the way back to the hotel, so I walked alot. But Ft Worth “rolls up the sidewalks” after rush hour. I got bored, and I missed my cat Tinkerbell.
I was wondering if she would even REMEMBER me after 6 weeks. Well, when I finally got home, she literally leapt onto my lap and purred. She followed me around the house. She slept next to me in bed that night… Those were not things she commonly did.
She remembered me… The next day, it was back to “usual’. LOL!
I love this! I know Mudpie would remember me too. Our bond is so strong…plus I provide the squeezies!
Nope, can’t think of any remember incidents right now. But
I know you are right. Why should a cat not remember. Out of
sight out of mind certainly doesn’t describe cats.
It is so neat that your human’s Dad’s cat remembers her !
I think it is cool that your human’s ex has a girlfriend that loves your videos. Also cool that Smokey remembers her. XO
That’s great! We’re pretty sure we would remember our Mom!
It’s true, Summer! We recently visited a kitty who was adopted from the shelter a few years ago, and he was so happy to see us. He’s friendly, but his mom said this was at a whole different level. We spent LOTS of time every week with him while he was at PAWS, and became very close, so that must be why. 🙂
I am pretty sure I would remember mum because she gives me pawsome belly rubs that I love!
I would remember her voice too.
Purrs, Julie