Will my cat remember me when I return home?

Question

I will be away from home for about 3-5 months and I can't visit my cat during this time. My little friend is very attached to me. He's always around me. Will he remember me when I return home or will I be a stranger to him?

I think he will get really sad if I'm not with him for this much. What do you think?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I think your cat will remember. I don't think that animals will forget one of their valued friends.

Answer 2

Youd be surprised just how much cats remember. Sometimes they have to make new for new things so they dont actually remember a certain person and the memories that theyve shared with that person-they rememember their scent. Cats dont have time to remember every little detail so they limit ehir memory to things like sight, sound, smell, touch and then if they choose-the memories behind the smell, sight, etc, comes back. If you leave, yes your cat will feel a sense of loss just like if you were to leave a person you were close to. Just like people cats, learn to move on with their lives and not focus so much on missing someone but knowing there were good times shared and being happy about that.
Your cat will remember your scent because your skin scent usually doesnt change even if you use soap, perfume, etc. pheremones are still there. It may take your cat a while to associate the scent with the human but he will. It's just like you walking up to someone you havent seen in ages and saying "do i know you from somewhere?" and then it all hits you and you remember. Your brain needed space so it temporarily forgot that section of your life but it left that one thing-sight-to trigger that memory so that it wouldnt be gone for good.

:) hope i could be of some help!

Answer 3

Please do not worry about this. He will definitely remember you. I have had this very experience. I lost my home last year and had to move in with sis for a few. They did not want my beloved cat in their house, so I Had to put him in "Foster care" I found an angel on the Internet that said she would keep him for me until I got an apartment. I could not bare the thought of having to part with him permanently. She kept him for five months. We are very close, and he is a wool sucker. This happens sometimes when a cat is taken from mama too young and they suckle a blanket. He had his special blankie and he suckled it every night with me for five years. I took the blanket with him and she said he did not touch it the whole time. But the moment I was able to go pick him up and bring him home, he was so affectionate and loving and followed me everywhere and couldn't wait to suck on his bankie. I know he remembered me, without a doubt. They remember your voice and your scent also. They say cats do not have a perception of time. He will miss you, no doubt about it, but he will not know that it has been months. The separation will be hard, but I promise he will remember you.

Answer 4

he will remember you. I had a stray cat for 5 years and than he disappeared. I put out a lost poster and when he was returned the "finder" told me her story. she was my age and she had left for college. she had just returned to her mothers after 5 years and the cat left my house, walked down 2 blocks and jumped in her lap after 5 years. Ps she kept the cat until she left a month later and she gave him back to me and he stayed with me until he passed away
He will need to adjust without you so have whoever keep him inside the house and keep the same ritual as he has now. Do not wash your bedsheets if possible so he still has your scent

Answer 5

I think he will miss you a lot and I think he will remember you when you return. He may not seem to friendly to you at first because he will have some negative feelings about your leaving him.

When you go out the door and don't return your cat assumes you have been eaten by a predator and won't ever come back. So he will eventually be very pleased to see you.

Answer 6

Hi there...if he is very bonded to you, he may become depressed for awhile so it's important to whoever will be caring for him to shower him with a lot of love and attention to help him through the transition of you temporarily being away. Cats remember scents and sounds from the person who has cared for them. As soon as your return he'll probably be bounding over as quick he can to greet you.

Here's an article of a leopard cat who was released back into the wild and 1-1/2 years later remembered the animal trainer who cared for him: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/63

Answer 7

When I was a grad student I had to leave my 3 cats with my fiance and I was worried they would not remember me since they are very skittish. However, they did remember me but it took a little time for them to come around me when I would come back into town.
The 1st time I came back after 6mos. they ran and hid for about 10-20mins-to an hour, but once they heard my voice and realized who I was and my touch they where all over me. Just be patient with you cat and don't force him/her to greet you off the bat. Let the cat take their time to get the sent of you. Another thing you can do is wear a shirt or shorts anything that has you sent on it and leave it on the floor or your bed anywhere your cat can find it. This helps calm and comfort your cat. Even leaving a laundry basket full of clothes with give you cat comfort. Lastly, and yes this is strange, but when you call to whom will be taking care of your cat have them put the phone up to the cat so you can talk to him/her. I know is sounds strange and it may take a few times for the cat to accept the phone but once they do they will talk and purr to your voice.
Take it from me I left for 3yrs. and came back for holidays, spring break, and summer and it never failed to make me fill good to hear them and it helps them to her you.
One thing just make sure that whom you leave your cat with is tolerant and does or gets close to the same way you treat your cat. Meaning spending time playing, how you feed your cat what you feed, and even just sitting around petting you cat. All of this will help your cat to remember you.

Answer 8

at first he may not but as he remembers your scent i think he will. I will tell you a true story: I have 2 feral cats I got the son first (we figure he was about 10 months). Then almost 4 - 5 months later the feral helper people captured his Mom I was given his Mom. At first she was terrified (of course) not only of me but of the other cat (who was her son) but after awhile her and her son were sleeping together and she was grooming him. I have another cat who was a little kitten when I got him after I had the 2 ferals and this female (mom) does NOT accept HIMat all she is still frightened so I KNOW for a fact the Mom remembered her son's scent . your kitty will eventually remember you

Answer 9

He will be sad when you leave, But I think he'll remember you when you come back. Just make sure that someone responsible will be careing for him while you are gone. You could also leave a worn shirt of yours behind for him to sleep on so he can smell your scent.

Answer 10

Yes he will remember you. Though, being gone three to five months he may be indifferent to you when you get back because he may feel that you had abandoned him. Also. He may take up with the person caring for him while you are gone.

Answer 11

we've only ever left ours for 2-3 weeks, I'm sure your cat will really miss you a lot, he will need someone else who he is familiar with to be with him or he may wonder away from home looking for you.