How do they learn?

I know you can't "Train" cat like a dog, but do they learn through trial and error? The reason I ask:

As you might remember I have been converting an indoor/outdoor cat to strictly indoor, with some success but glitches along the way--->


Last night we were putting up the holiday lights and my Sammy got out.
I wasn't too concerned cause he has followed me to put out the trash before and usually is fine to get scooped up on my way back in, but this time when I went to bring him in he ran away. He has figured out I will be returning him home and I could tell was avoiding me. Thinking he would return shortly I was too worried, well he didn't for hours, I am sure because it was novel being out since he hasn't in months. I was so tired that I couldn't stay up and went to sleep, I put a blanket out for him.
Well sure enough I wake up at 7am to a meowing guy, very cold, was probably meowing for a long time.

This morning he doesn't seem interested in going out, he usually tries in the morning, has he learned a lesson? or will it be short lived? I keep hoping he'll adjust. I mean the other night I saw some friends I haven't seen in awhile and they asked "does he still try to get out all the time?" He even has a reputation!

I think they sometimes learn their lesson, or maybe from something that has happened. Pepper would always run out the front door and make me chase her, but ever since poor Georgia went out that door and never came back, she has shown no interest in going out. Fred does not go out much any more since Georgia got killed. The last time he really wanted to go out, he visited her grave. He will sometimes go out on the porch, but not in the yard for any longer than it takes to potty.

Originally Posted by krazy kat2

I think they sometimes learn their lesson, or maybe from something that has happened. Pepper would always run out the front door and make me chase her, but ever since poor Georgia went out that door and never came back, she has shown no interest in going out. Fred does not go out much any more since Georgia got killed. The last time he really wanted to go out, he visited her grave. He will sometimes go out on the porch, but not in the yard for any longer than it takes to potty.

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I do think they learn more by feeling like that.

Along those lines, I wonder if my cat wants to go out lookiing for his sibling. He was found as a stray,and apparently the rescue group learned his brother was put out in this feral colony with him by their previous owners. THey told me they were still on the look out for him. I notice my cat always would go to this house that has a black cat, his brother is black and not to put human attributes on cats, but I wonder if he is grieving for his brother?
I mean it's oddly intense how much he wants to go out. He'll claw the door etc.