Think cats forget you after a few days away? Think again. Despite their reputation for being independent—and sometimes even a little aloof—cats have a surprisingly complex memory system. They don’t just remember faces; they store layered memories tied to sights, sounds, smells, and routines that make them feel secure.
“Cats are unique!” Jane Davidson, registered veterinary nurse from England, told Newsweek: “Although some of their memory skills will sound familiar to dog owners there are some key differences. Cats’ memories are layered across the physical space they are in, the sights, sounds and smells as well as the routines kept.”
According to a study led by the Center on Autobiographical Memory Research at Aarhus University in Denmark, cats and dogs have a surprising ability to recall past events. Researchers surveyed 375 dog and cat owners and found that 80 percent reported their pets remembered specific experiences. These memories often resurfaced when something familiar—like a location—triggered them, much like how humans recall memories without trying.
How Long Does It Take for Them to Forget Their Owners?
On December 28, an Instagram video shared to an account of two rescue cats went viral, earning over 9 million views (@oreoandpumpkinspice).
The footage of the two cats states how just three months of living with their owner is “enough to carve” them “deeply into its heart and it will remember you for the rest of its life.”
Davidson agrees with the video, she said: “From my experience I’m not sure cats ‘forget’ owners. Their multilayered experience of a home life will include not just the emotional relationships that we humans see as most important. Cats will equally value a home that they felt physically safe in.
“One that had enough safe space to sleep and eat and play. They associate owners with this too. So although they’re not thinking it’s great you pay their rent, they are aware you are part of the provision of a suitable lifestyle.
“This then becomes part of long term memory.”
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Newsweek also spoke to Iryna Smyrnova, a veterinarian at Meowoff, an online platform that connects people with purebred cats from various breeders.
She said: “Cats don’t easily forget their owners, especially if the connection was strong and stable. As per my observations, cats can hold their owners in their memory for months or even years, especially if there was caring, loving, and a steady routine involved regularly.”
During the video, the text states that abandoned cats often stay in the same place—hoping that their owner returns.
Smyrnova said: “The role of scents, sounds, and past interactions in keeping those memories alive is huge.”
Signs Your Cat Might Be Missing You
The good news is cats won’t forget their owners who go on vacation. But they may show signs that can be mistaken for distress, states the experts.
Davidson states it is important for whoever is looking after your furry friend while you are away is able to read their body language to determine if the feline is happy or unhappy.
She shared the following signs that indicate a cat is missing their owner:
- A change in routine: eating less, playing less, or avoiding going outside (usually resolves after two to three days).
- Seeking out spaces that smell of their owner, such as the bed or laundry pile.
- More stressed cats may show extreme behaviors:
- Increased vocalization or physical signals.
- Marking territory with scent (pee or poop on floors/furniture).
- Scratching furniture to spread scent.
- Aggression toward other cats or people (rare but possible).
Additional Behaviors to Watch For
Smyrnova, a veterinary-trained feline breeder, told Newsweek: “I frequently notice that the cat has started to meow more often, is eating less, is excessively clingy to other people or is withdrawing and hiding.
“Some cats will also go through a period of increased sleeping or will start looking around familiar areas in the house where their owner used to be.”
So the next time you wonder if your cat won’t remember you—rest assured, you’re likely unforgettable.