Does cats have a great memory when it comes to remembering mealtimes or where you hide his favorite kitty treats? Have you ever wondered why your kitty seems to remember some particulars better than others? We’re here to shed some light on what makes a memory meaningful for your fur baby!
Not surprisingly cats, as well as their canine frenemies, excel at remembering details crucial to their survival. For example, cats have excellent memory skills in regard to hunting (in other words, food!). LiveScience.com cites two studies in which felines were able to recall which bowls had food, and which were empty, in a particular room even after being removed from the area for several minutes. This suggests that a cat’s short term memory can be counted on to find those hidden snacks you think are safely tucked out of sight!
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Cats also excel with spatial memories, which translates into superior hunting skills in the great outdoors. In one study cats did extremely well when it came to remembering what cups they had previously eaten from. This particular type of skill is useful for cats who must depend on hunting for outdoor food because it aids in recalling where prey has been found before, and what areas have been visited on a particular night.
So, how well does feline memory work when food is not involved? Would you be surprised if I told you not quite as well? When it comes to remembering where non-food objects are, the old adage “out of sight, out of mind,” applies!
In a study requiring cats to find an object hidden among various boxes, their memories showed a steep decline after just 30 seconds.
And sadly just as is the case with humans, feline memory skills appear to fade with age, with one study showing older cats are more likely to make memory mistakes than are younger animals.
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So, what does your cat remember above all else? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below!
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How interesting! I know that my dog is super food motivated, so it’s funny to see that cats are the same way.
That is so fascinating! I always wonder what it is going on in their heads, and I have always thought their thought process was more sophisticated than most realize.
yes I agree, my cat finds where I hide the treats and goes to open the door. My dog? not so much lol!
How interesting! I know that my dog is super food motivated, so it’s funny to see that cats are the same way.
That is so fascinating! I always wonder what it is going on in their heads, and I have always thought their thought process was more sophisticated than most realize.
yes I agree, my cat finds where I hide the treats and goes to open the door. My dog? not so much lol!
I love dogs and cats but i think dogs is more smart than cats.
I love dogs and cats but i think dogs is more smart than cats.
When I was worked abroad for 2 years, I adopted a dog to keep me company. When my contract was over, I had to give him to my friend. 3 years after that, I visited the country again and went to my friend’s house. Surprisingly, the dog still recognized me and started to jump up on my lap and lick my face. Amazing how they can remember! I have not yet observed and gauged my cats’ memory skills. I will do that this week. 🙂
It was reading all about a cat’s memory. I’m sure it’s easier for them to remember anything about food. It makes a lot of sense since they’re more in tune with being a hunter.
I didn’t realize that they would be bad at memorizing anything that doesn’t involve food. I would think that they have a better memory than dogs. This was a fun read!
When I was worked abroad for 2 years, I adopted a dog to keep me company. When my contract was over, I had to give him to my friend. 3 years after that, I visited the country again and went to my friend’s house. Surprisingly, the dog still recognized me and started to jump up on my lap and lick my face. Amazing how they can remember! I have not yet observed and gauged my cats’ memory skills. I will do that this week. 🙂
It was reading all about a cat’s memory. I’m sure it’s easier for them to remember anything about food. It makes a lot of sense since they’re more in tune with being a hunter.
I didn’t realize that they would be bad at memorizing anything that doesn’t involve food. I would think that they have a better memory than dogs. This was a fun read!
My dog and cats are the same. As long as it is food related, they have superb memory! LOL. Seriously though, I have yet to observe how much they can remember. I know my dog does not want to go up the steps after that fall he had 2 years ago.
My dog and cats are the same. As long as it is food related, they have superb memory! LOL. Seriously though, I have yet to observe how much they can remember. I know my dog does not want to go up the steps after that fall he had 2 years ago.