We humans often remember our cats long after their passing. As a child, the kitten you loved turned into the cat who greeted you at the door when you returned from school and who followed you to the toilet . What happened when you had the need to say goodbye to your cat when you left for college? Is it possible that the cat didn’t remember you, or missed you when you returned months later to visit for spring break?
Cat memory for short-term
A 2015 study found that many animals lack a short-term mental capacity. Researchers examined 25 species, from bees to dolphins, and found that their average short-term memory span was just 27 seconds. The average memory span of a dog was two minutes. How does your cat remember you are there?
Associative memory is used by cats and other animals to store information that will help them survive. This means that they can remember where food is available and shelter. These associations are the basis of a cat’s behavior. For example, cats will run to the kitchen if they hear an electric can opener.
Associative memory is how your cat will remember you. Although he may not recall specific interactions, he will associate you with shelter and love. These three essential things make you memorable.
Cats do miss us
Many animal behavior experts believe cats miss their owners. But, the ways they do so might not be obvious to us. Sometimes cats will relieve themselves from stress outside of the litter box when they miss their owner. Stress hormones can cause skin irritation and inflammation in cats when they become stressed.
Many cat owners believe that their cat urinated in an attempt to retaliate for the long absence. The cat’s behavior is a sign that he or she is lonely and in distress. Your cat may have accidents while you are away but it is not because he is mad at you.
If your cat has imprinted on you, he may be more likely to miss you. Cat imprinting refers to the bond a kitten forms with his mother while she cares for him. Your cat may become imprinted on you if he is adopted from his mother as a kitten. You may find that your cat remembers you even after long periods of absence and is more likely to miss you when you return.
Do cats miss us?
Every study that suggests cats miss us seems to contradict another. Animal behaviorists have reported that cats do not show any signs of secure attachment.
One study that looked at 20 cats and their owners in 2015 sought to determine the strength of the cat-owner relationship. According to the study, cats vocalized more when their owners left than when they were left alone. Researchers thought this wasn’t enough evidence to establish a secure attachment.
What do we know?
It’s difficult to say with certainty how many years cats have been able to remember their human companions or how close they are to each other. However, it is worth noting that cats have lived with humans for thousands of year. They are sure to get something out of this arrangement. Cats have also learned to communicate with us in a way that is understandable.