A cat's short-term memory lasts approximately 10 to 16 minutes, but its long-term memory is quite good, generally lasting from several months to several years. When a cat encounters a familiar smell or sound, it may suddenly recall a past moment or memory. This is why we often see some cats holding grudges.

Short-term memory generally refers to the ability to recall information within a relatively short period of time. It's like trying to memorize an 11-digit phone number; most people can, but after a few hours, very few can. The same applies to cats' short-term memory.