Understanding a cat's memory

Cats have an excellent memory. In fact, to understand them we must remember that every cat has their own Cat Database. Nothing ever leaves the Cat Database.

For instance, some people think cats don't have much of a memory because they don't come when they are called. Of course the cat knows their name. 

They know all their nicknames, too. They don't come to the sound of their name if we don't use it properly, and so the cat has developed a reputation for "not even knowing their name." But that's not true.

Cats will come to their names; when we call them only for good things. Cats have a constantly consulted database in their heads that they build their whole lives. 

Once an entry has gotten into the database, such as, "I came when I heard my name called and they crammed this pill down my throat," this one will come up first. It takes many, many entries like, "I came when I heard my name called and got a fishy treat!" to make up for it.

And before we can even start any new entries, we have to get the cat to come when called again. Good luck with that. So don't trick them to their detriment. They will remember. 

It's okay to confuse them, or get them to think, or make them realize something new, if they get a reward of some sort for it. But we cannot use their names, their special many names, to do anything they wouldn't want.