Cats_ Identifying Relatives

by v_co
(Phila,PA)

Four years ago- my beautiful (supposedly spayed) tuxedo cat gave birth to 6 gorgeous kittens. I already had 3 cats (mother kitty included) and didn't think I could provide a quality home to 9 cats total. So I adopted off 4 of them (checking extensively on vet history of prospects;talking to them in detail.Assured each adoptive parent that I would happily take back any cat if there was a difficulty). All of the adopted cats went to homes in my general area- none being more than 10 minutes away.
Let me go further- today a cat appeared on my back porch who I mistook for the daddy cat (who had been outside). Tail fluffed up- he darted into the house- I paused to see my neighbor's dog in the next yard & attributed the defensive appearance to that.A few minutes later.. the real daddy cat appeared on my porch, calmly wanting to go inside. So who was this cat I just let in? Without dwelling on further details.. I'll just add that the daddy cat has unique features of a Siamese, while being black in color. This cat had remarkable, nearly identical facial features.Also looking like a larger version of 1 of 2 cats kept from mommy cat's litter. He ate dry food rapidly.. & didn't have any indication of wanting to leave. My cats initially hissed at him, or retreated from him- but as I write this, the "mystery " kitty is under my bed..while mommy cat & one of her sons relax in there.
So my actual question is- do cats have scents unique enough to where they would recognize a relative (in this case brother or son) some odd 4 years later. The kittens were adopted at nearly 3 months old- do they hold onto initial memories so they could recognize my house or their mother 4 years later? Any reply welcome! God Bless Your Pets!

RESPONSE:

Sounds like the new guy has adopted you! It is quite possible that he is one of the kittens you adopted out and he remembers your house. This is rather common as cats do remember their birthplace and where they spent their kitten-hood.
As to whether they remember or recognize their relatives after several years, it is impossible to say for sure. As far as we know, there hasn't been anyway to test this.
However, we like to think that they do remember and recognize each other simply because they seem more tolerant of family members than of complete strangers.
The new guy could have been running from the "daddy" tom cat since, as a younger male, the tom would not want him around. He could have just recognized your home as a safe place for cats.
Mom may recognize him as her offspring or may just be a nice girl and recognize that he is a cat in need of food and shelter. And he may decide to stay or may decide to leave after he has rested up a bit.
Regardless of the reason he came to you or whether family members recognize each other, it sounds like you now have another cat! Make him feel comfortable and secure and just watch and see what happens! Enjoy!

Donna
House Full Cats Mom