Will My Cat Remember Me After 2 Years Cats are quite intelligent and are capable of way more than what we expect them to be, but does it mean they will remember you if you travel for 2 years? Cats have both long and short memories which are capable of retaining certain information (more on that later).
Age, experiences, and personality will play a very big role in what your cat can remember. Cats who have undergone terrible experiences such as abuse or neglect may retain things for longer, which is why it may take them some time to trust their new owners. So, will my cat remember me after 2 years? Let’s find out.
How Far Back Can Cats Remember?
During the kitten stage, all forms of memory begin to develop in a cat.
Experiences will shape the kitten’s later memory.
Working memory, or short-term memory, lets cats store tricks and recall where they hunted for food recently. In 2006, cognitive research confirmed that cats have short memories of hidden items.
This means that the cat will forget activities from hours or minutes ago, just like we humans can remember phone numbers or house addresses for a minute and then forget them. Experts recommend establishing a daily routine for brushing a cat’s teeth by 5 pm. After a week, the cat will expect this routine. Cats remember routines in short-term memory.
Cats’ long-term memories are mostly of kitten fun or pain. Traumatized kittens may hide when you exhibit traits of the previous abuser. Also, do you notice the way your cat always stays away from that friend of yours that it dislikes?
What Factors Influence a Cat’s Memory
Cats’ memories are relative as individual cats possess different abilities to recall both short and long-term memories. You may find it difficult to teach a ragdoll cat some tricks, but you may get another ragdoll cat and be able to teach it tricks easily—this highlights the individuality of a cat’s memory. Below are factors that influence a cat’s memory:
Excitement
Most people get a pet for just the sake of getting it, while the rest understands the importance of bonding and engaging in activities with their cats. If you play a passive role in your cat’s life, even if you’re gone for only 3 months, your cat won’t still remember you.
The success of training a cat to walk without a leash depends highly on the excitement you provide while the cat is on a leash. Your feline friend will need mental stimulation from time to time as this plays a role in the cat’s memory of you.
Get more involved with your cat, bathe it, and get a lick mat for it, make use of youtube and get tricks you can teach them with the right positive reinforcements.
Trauma
Pain has a way of making its mark on a cat’s life, abused cats never forget the taunting incidents. A cat breed with a calm personality like the Persian cat, if you step on its tail the first time—you may get forgiven, but if you do it the second time, it would run into hiding.
Your cat will likely develop separation anxiety if you kept neglecting or leaving it alone as a kitten. If a cat develops operation anxiety because of your actions, it will likely not forget you. Likewise, if your feline friend is afraid of anyone in your family, they will always stay away from their paths. How do all these correlate with your cat remembering you after 2 years?
Will My Cat Remember Me After 2 Years
Maybe, your cat may remember you after two years if you were not playing a passive role in its life.
“Even if you were actively involved in your cat’s life, giving it time to remember you is essential. While waiting, try calling its name or engaging it in tricks you did together two years ago.
According to Purina, a cat’s brain is 90% similar to humans’. Similar to a child you left for two years, a cat might or might not remember you. Stimulating their memory through past interactions can help reignite recognition, just as it would in a child.”
How to Help Your Cat Remember You
1. Leave them a special treat: When you’re getting ready to leave, give your cat a special treat that they only get when you’re gone. This could be a piece of their favorite food, or a new toy to play with. This will help them associate you with something positive, and they’ll be more likely to remember you when you’re not there.
2. Give them plenty of attention when you are around: Make sure to spend quality time with your cat when you are home. Give them lots of love and attention, and they’ll be more likely to think of you when you’re not there.
3. Talk to them: Before you leave, take a few minutes to talk to your cat. Tell them where you’re going and when you’ll be back. This will help them understand that you’re leaving, and they’ll be more likely to remember you when you return.
4. Take a picture: Leave your cat with a picture of you, so they can see your face and remember you while you’re gone.
5. Write a note: Leave your cat a note telling them how much you love them. This will help them feel loved and appreciated, and they’ll be more likely to remember you when you’re not there.
By following these tips, you can help your cat remember you even when you’re not around. So don’t forget about your furry friend when you’re busy with your own life, and take the time to show them how much you care.
Final Thoughts
Your cat will certainly remember you after 2 years but this will only happen if you spent quality interesting time with your cat or if you were a villain to your cat( which you don’t want to be). Little things such as teaching the cat how to use an exercise wheel, and teaching the cat a few tricks will help the cat bond with you.
I hate to mention this part, but your cat will love you so much and remember you if you give it so many treats. Only give them healthy treats such as roasted pumpkin seeds.
