A cat's memory is divided into short-term memory and long-term memory. Short-term memory may only last from a few minutes to a few hours, while long-term memory can last for months or even years. If a cat has spent a long time with its owner and developed a deep bond, it may not forget its owner even if the cat is separated from its owner for a long time.

Conversely, if a cat spends less time with its owner, or if the owner doesn't take good enough care of the cat, the cat may be more likely to forget its owner.