Section 1.1: Understanding Cat Memory

What is the duration of a cat's memory? There are two types of memory to consider: working memory and long-term memory. Working memory reflects how much information we can hold at once. For instance, if someone reads their grocery list, how many items can you recall?

In contrast, long-term memory indicates whether we can retain information beyond the immediate timeframe. Can you remember what a friend looks like after not seeing them for months or even years?

Research indicates that cats have limited working memory. In studies, when cats were shown a toy and then made to wait before they could search for it, they often forgot about it after a delay of more than 10-15 seconds. After 30 seconds, the likelihood of them remembering the toy diminishes considerably.

But what about their long-term memory? This is crucial for understanding grudges. The commonly cited figure online is "16 hours," which seems to stem from an older study that I can't verify. A more recent study suggests that cats can remember learned responses for at least 10 minutes, but longer durations were not tested.

Notably, not all memories are equivalent. While we might forget trivial details, memories associated with strong emotions or experiences tend to stick around longer.

So, while cats may not have the best short-term memory, they can remember some actions over a longer period. However, comparing their intelligence is tricky. Cats typically lack the motivation that dogs have, complicating research efforts. Behaviorists often equate their intelligence to that of a 2–3-year-old child. Cats can learn to use a sequence of behaviors to achieve goals.

Section 1.2: Do Cats Hold Grudges?

As for grudges, it appears that cats do not hold them in the way we think. A grudge implies a deep-rooted emotional resentment, which cats seem incapable of. While they might not recall most daily events, stronger memories — particularly those linked to pain or fear — can last longer.

However, this doesn’t equate to holding a grudge. A cat might avoid a situation or person that caused them discomfort, not out of anger, but simply to avoid re-experiencing that pain.

For example, if we burn ourselves on a hot stove, we learn to be cautious around it, but we don’t typically bear a grudge against the stove itself. Cats approach situations similarly.

Like young children, cats are remarkably perceptive. They tend to be more accepting of human handling if they were socialized as kittens. They can gauge the passage of time and possess an internal clock accurate to about five minutes, explaining their uncanny ability to know when it’s dinner time.

They can even read human cues to find hidden rewards and often check in with their owners to gauge reactions in unfamiliar situations. If a cat senses its owner is anxious or frightened, it will likely become wary as well.

Thus, while cats may not truly hold grudges, we often project our emotional interpretations onto their behavior. From a cat's perspective, feelings of anger or distrust are more about logical responses to uncertainty.

So, can cats hold grudges, and if so, for how long? The research suggests that they lack the emotional capacity for true grudges but can remember significant events that pose a danger. This leads to caution and avoidance behaviors that we may misinterpret as resentment.

Cats are also responsive to our emotions. If we accidentally hurt them and display concern, they may mirror that fear. It's essential to remember that even in safe domestic environments, cats often view situations through a survival lens.

To foster a positive relationship, remain calm, provide positive reinforcement, and eliminate negative experiences. This approach can help alleviate the avoidance behaviors we might misinterpret as grudges.

By the way, if you enjoy reading about fascinating scientific discoveries and insights, check out my publication, Sharing Science, where I share more stories about the wonders of biology and science!