Is a cat's memory good? Find out here!
It is very common for some pet owners to question themselves about the memory of dogs. But have you ever stopped to think if cats have a good memory? How does this cat's brain work?
To answer these questions, we have prepared exclusive content for you! Check out all about the memory of cats.
Do cats have good memories?
After all, do cats have a good memory ? If you have a feline, it only takes a few minutes to observe its behavior to come to the conclusion that yes, cats are quite smart!
This is what a study carried out by researchers at Vanderbilt University, in the United States, points out, in partnership with other researchers around the world. According to him, the cat brain has around 250 million nerve impulses, while dogs have around 530 million.
However, this does not indicate the intelligence of each of these species, as cats may have better memory with less repetition training.
A series of research done at Kyoto University in Japan has indicated this fact. During one of the stages, 49 cats were placed in a space with 4 pots of food. However, you were only allowed to eat in 2 of them.
The cats were removed from the room and, after a while, they returned, being released to eat in any of the 4 pots. The animals showed more interest in the 2 pots that, at first, were prohibited.
In this case, the conclusion was that the animals remembered that they had already tasted the contents of pots 1 and 2, so when they returned to the room, they preferred to check what was in pots 3 and 4.
How long does a cat store memory?
There are few studies that prove the duration of a cat's memory in the short and long term. It is estimated that short-term memory lasts an average of 16 hours when events are relevant to cats. This means that pets have a selective memory and only remember moments that impacted them.
For longer terms, there is still not enough research to prove how long cats can store memory.
Some primary investigations indicate that the long-term memory of cats is only three years. However, cat owners can relate some cat behaviors to situations that occurred longer ago.
What is known is that the memory of cats is capable of remembering favorable and unfavorable situations, indicating the behaviors that the animal should or should not repeat throughout the routine.
In addition, cats have good spatial memory and, in a few days of living together, they can decorate where some elements of the house are, such as a water pot, litter box, scratching posts, among others.
Another factor that can leave cat owners impressed when it comes to memory is the quick adaptation and learning of the house routine.
So don't be surprised if your pet jumps into your bed before you when it's bedtime! Now, you know a little more about how long a cat's memory lasts .
How do cats learn?
Up until this point in the text, you could already see that cats' memory is really good. But how does this learning process work for felines?
Unlike other animals, such as dogs, for example, cats learn best through observation and lived experiences. So don't be alarmed if you notice that your cat watches you for hours on end. That's just an extinct!
However, it is possible to stimulate the cat's memory. In this case, for the cat's experience to be positive, it is important to follow some guidelines.
Use the cat's favorite treats
When starting training tricks, use your cat's favorite treats to reward him.
These snacks can be pieces of chicken, tuna, pet food or any other food that motivates your animal.
Remember that kittens are picky animals with food, and this will make them even more focused during training sessions.
Understand the personality and respect your cat
Just like humans, cats are animals with strong personalities. Therefore, when training your pet, understand what its limits are and respect them.
If your cat isn't a fan of cuddles and cuddles, for example, this may not be the best reward technique during training.
Also, some cats can be more easily distracted, while others have more physical boundaries. Understand what your friend's restrictions are and respect them.
Going beyond the limits of the kitties can traumatize the animals and have the opposite effect of what was expected.
Start with easier commands
If you have never trained your cat, start classes with easier commands, so that he understands the idea and gets used to the reward format.
Gradually, as the pet evolves, progress the techniques and teach more difficult commands. However, do not forget to continue to apply the commands already learned on a daily basis, so that the feline does not forget.