Do you want to know if your cat misses you? Are you curious about what goes on in a cat’s brain? Cat’s memories are a unique subject of study. Researchers are only just finding out a host of information about it. It would be nice to know that our feline friends miss us when we are gone, and our presence means something to them.
Our guide explores the information on cats’ memories that scientists have collected and the limits of feline memory. Trust us; you will be surprised to read some of the information we have collected from you.
The short term memories of cats
Before we go into the details of long-term cat memories, it is important to know a bit about their short-term memory. Short-term memory refers to how long cats can retain things before they disappear entirely from their mind. Most animals usually have very poor short-term memories, so they cannot remember things for more than 20 seconds.
However, we all know that cats are unique, and you will be surprised to find out that the short-term cats memories last for up to 16 hours! While this number may not seem much at first, these numbers are pretty good by animal standards. So, do cats remember different people? Well, the answer to that is that it depends on how long they met them. If you bring home some friends or relatives, who only momentarily play with your cats, your cat is likely to remember for 16 hours. This seems fine, too, since these people will not be interacting with your feline friend daily.
Cats remember the people beneficial to them
If you wonder how long cats can remember a person, you should understand that cats do not remember all people in the same way. When it comes to cats, they are more likely to remember people who are beneficial to them. This means that people who have done them a favor or look after their everyday needs, such as feeding them or cleaning them, are more likely to be remembered.
The way that a cat’s memories operate is entirely natural. In the wild, cats need to know which creatures benefit them since this can help them survive in the long run. However, the downside to this is that, at times, your cat may behave differently with people living in the same home. So your cat will be friendlier with people who feed it and look after it while other house members may not be treated as favorably!
What about their long-term memory?
When it comes to long-term cats memories, it is essential to know that researchers are still unable to pinpoint the maximum duration a cat may remember people and places. However, cats are very good at finding their way back home and develop feelings of affection for their owners; this indicates that they do have good long-term memory. The exact parameters and limitations of this, however, are yet to be determined.
What do cats usually remember?
Even though we do not know how long a cat’s long-term memories last, we have gathered what cats are most likely to remember in the long run. The first thing that a cat’s memories seem to store for long periods is the identity of its owner. So, do cats remember different people? The answer to that is if you are its owner or part of their family, the cat is likely to remember you for an extended period. The second thing that cats remember is terrible experiences.
This means that if your cat was hurt at a particular place or reacted badly to some food it ate, it is likely to remember that for a long time as well. This is an instinct since remembering these negative experiences can help them avoid harmful things in the long run.
You may even see your cat behaving irritably or angrily when it sees a particular trigger that it associates with the bad experience. If you do notice this, remove the triggering object to put your feline friend at ease.
Do cats develop memory disorders with age?
Unfortunately, cats also develop memory-related disorders, similar to dementia and Alzheimer’s, with age. This disease is called Feline Cognitive Dysfunction (FCD). This disorder is related to the age factor of cats, so there is not much that you can do to stop it. The average age of cats is about 15-20 years, and according to researchers, almost half the cats in the 11-15 years age group show symptoms of FCD.
Up to the age of 20 years, 80 percent of the cats develop FCD, which is directly linked to the deteriorating conditions of their brain cells. So, how long can cats remember a different person? Well, if the cat is a bit on the older side, it may not be able to remember even those people who are close to it, such as its owner. This is a natural pathway that a cat’s memories take with age, so do not worry.
Can I do anything to prevent these disorders?
As discussed above, FCD is an age-related disorder, so there is not much to prevent it. However, giving your cat a diet that has omega-3 and fatty acids can help delay its onset. Another helpful thing you can do is look out for the signs of FCD. If your cat appears to be lost in familiar settings or behaves awkwardly with familiar people and family members, this could be a sign of FCD. If you start noticing these signs, then contact your vet. He would recommend some exercises or methods through which you could start improving your cat’s memories. However, be warned that there is no permanent cure or solution to FCD. Only its symptoms and intensity may be managed.
Conclusion
Cat’s memories can be complex to understand. While our feline friends have excellent short-term memory, the limits of their long-term memory are yet to be explored. However, these intelligent animals do clearly remember the people who love them and look after them, and that is all that matters as a pet owner.
