When do they forget?

Does anyone know of a study or some evidence that shows how long it takes for a cat to forget?

I am just curious as to when a cat forgets her/him previous owner and house, or things that have happened to her/him in the past.

When I gave my cat back to her original owner after one glorious year with her, she seemed to forget me right away and settle in nicely. I'm curious as to whether she remembered her previous owner? Also, when I've gone to visit her, she doesn't know me anymore, but when I pick her up the way I used to, she instinctively curls up against me like she used to - yet she doesn't do that with her new owners!

Just a curiosity thing!

I don't know, but my boy Bongo ran away SEVEN years ago....and he's just recently come back tagging along with the ferals but he has a flea collar on him, so someone loves him.....I used to pat my chest and he'd jump right into my arms....he seems to have forgotten me, though....but I'm good for a bowl of food!! I'm just glad he's still alive and well!

Originally Posted by golffox

I don't know, but my boy Bongo ran away SEVEN years ago....and he's just recently come back tagging along with the ferals but he has a flea collar on him, so someone loves him.....I used to pat my chest and he'd jump right into my arms....he seems to have forgotten me, though....but I'm good for a bowl of food!! I'm just glad he's still alive and well!

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WOW! 7 years ago! that's amazing!

Yes, and no one believed me when I told them he was back. A mama never forgets her kitties!

I think cats remember sounds, scents and people's personalities.

I spent 9 yrs away from Snickers and Dusty after the divorce. I got them back in October of last year cuz the ex-hub didn't want cats any more (go figure).

Anyway, Dusty took to me RIGHT off the bat; Snickers was reeeeally wary and leery of me for a day or two. He did look at me with those eyes whenever I'd say his name a certain way or call him, "Sweets". He remembers that word, I said it to him during the first 4 yrs of his life and say it every day now when I want him to follow me upstairs! HE remembered ME... I think the trading off confused him at first though.

Dusty didn't miss a beat, though. She certainly remembered her momma and trusted me right away.

I don't think you can equate a cat's memory with a person's memory. Certainly they remember scents, the layout of a territory, a familiar voice, where food is, where danger is, being afraid of something or someone. Things that have to do with their well-being and survival. Do they remember that you bought them a neat cat toy their last birthday? I doubt it.

That is what I was going to say...You can't really compare it...
I just recently read that a dog's immediate memory is 30 seconds while a cat's is 30 days. I think this relates to learning new things.
Also, if they learn things in the "critical period" in youth, they will stay with them alot longer (such as danger/aversion to sounds, people, etc)
For dogs, I know this is up to 14 or 16 weeks or so.
Don't know what the same is in cats though..