Some owners worry that their pet will forget them if they have to leave home for a long time.
Scientists have revealed whether such a thing is possible.
Dogs have a good memory for commands during training and respond when their owner speaks to them. When they see a leash, they understand that it’s time for a walk. When they hear the word “bath,” they know their paws will be washed. These actions are governed by semantic memory, which stores memories.
Recognition of their “person” and autobiographical memory are attributed to episodic memory. In 2016, researchers successfully studied this type of memory in domesticated animals. The study revealed that they remember events independently of their owner’s presence or will.
Long-term memory retains specific events, not individuals. Over time, negative memories fade away, leaving only pleasant ones. It is this characteristic that is associated with such loyalty.
If a dog had a good family that fed them well and played with them, and then other people came along who treated them just as well, they may forget their previous owners. However, there is a nuance: a dog will remember a family member if they see them and recognize them by scent (even after several years). This is attributed to the strongest memory, the olfactory memory. Therefore, it is possible for an animal to forget its owner if they don’t encounter them. The exception is dogs suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Світ домашніх улюбленців у 2025 — більше тепла, більше любові.
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