how long do cats remember?

Question

had to board my cats for a couple days, wondering how long they will remember the event

Answer 1

there is no telling but I know when I take my cat to the vet, she always knows where she is because she tries to hide, I imagine they would remember a kennel to, who knows maybe the cat liked it there

Answer 2

I would say it depends on the event. Most daily events go by with only routine notice. More significant events, may stay forever. Cats have a pretty long memory. There are studies for several animals that show memory capability. Pretty astounding actually. They showed that (of course) a negative or traumatizing event would trigger certain behaviors in various animals from rodents, right up to dolphins. The same can be said for positive events, such as saving them or taking care of them when no one else would. If the boarding was significant enough of a change, (maybe it's the first time?) they are likely to remember it for the rest of their lives and going to boarding again may trigger various behaviors depending on how they were treated.

Answer 3

My cat never had a problem remembering anything. He remembers bad people, how much cars can hurt, and what he can do to get our attention. Cats are smart, the more traumatic the event, the more they'll remember it. Something as simple as being hit over the head for doing something bad won't be remembered, getting stuck in a hole for days will. Cats are very forgiving creatures though, so once they get settled back in they'll be back to normal. Unless they start showing signs of trauma (eg. shaking, wetting themselves) you shouldn't have to worry.

Answer 4

Cats operate more on instinct than by memory, but I believe they remember things also. For example, if you move and let your cat outdoors shortly afterwards, it uses instinct to follow the stars and get back to the old home. It may remember some of the scents, but it doesn't remember that "we made a left turn here and a right one there", etc.

Answer 5

There was a study done by a university recently, I can't remember which one, but they said that a cat's memory lasts about 45 min. A dog's was like 7 or 8 minutes. Who knows if it is true.

Answer 6

Trust me, they're not going to be traumatized by such a silly event as being around other yowling cats for a couple of days.

Answer 7

It depends how the experience was. Was it traumatic or smooth? One of our cats just doesn't like new things. So every time we have to go to the vet we get her first before the others. She will hide and runaway like you wouldn't believe. The others are bubble heads, so that really helps. Once we get back home she calms downs and is our bestfriend kitty again.

Answer 8

a recent study confirms that cats can remember where their wood was over 72 hours after last seeing it while dogs average around 5 Min's

Answer 9

If they're like my tabbies - forever. Cats are smart. They will not forget the experience - but they will forgive you. My guys are standoffish for about three days and then they're back to "normal", but as soon as I get their kennels out for a car trip... the remember. all right!

Answer 10

Not beyond a couple of hours. This is why naming your cat is redundant - they don't know it anyway (unlike a dog who is actually hearing the tone and not necessarily the name)