I know for sure that BOTH cats and dogs remember bad experiences. My liitle cocker poo, Cocoa, fell down behind the bed when he was still a puppy, and even as an adult he would go over to that same spot and LOOK at it...before he would settle down and go to sleep.

My cat, Oscar, remembers the day I TOOK him from his home. He lived with one of my clients, and her step-daughter was about to send him to a kill shelter...so I said I would take him. The step-daughter's husband chased him ALL around that house, and terrified him...and then they got him into a carrying case. Oscar remembered my RED windbreaker for the rest of his life...because I was wearing it that day. Whenever I put it on, after he was living with me, he would get scared and run under the bed. I had to get rid of it.

I have had cats for 50 years...used to let them go outside and they would often come home after a fight scratched, and one ended up getting hit by a car. My last 5-6 cats have only been indoor cats and they are so much healthier, cleaner and live much longer. I now have two rescues--were caught in the wild by a former student of mine. I have had them 3 years and they are adorable, and I spoil them rotten. However, to answer your question, they are still scared--I am the only human they will interact with. if anyone comes to my house they hide until the guests, cleaning lady, or even cat feeding lady when I am away have never seen them!!

I had an indoor cat. She was already spayed when I adopted her so I didn’t have to worry about her wanting to go out on "dates”.

The most curious she was about outside my flat was going out into the downstairs lobby, which I occasionally let her do (while supervising).

I have huge picture windows and I’m on the top floor, so I set up a cushioned bed by one window where she could look out and watch the city below. It was her favorite place in the flat. It was also by my piano, and often while I’d play, she would sit there and purr. 😊😸

They definitely remember! It can take years to overcome bad experiences.
My cats are from a feral colony, keeping them inside is impossible. They will threaten to tear up the blinds! Not kidding, paw on the threatened object, and eyes locked on yours... the threat is very clear!🤣
They both keep a very small territory and Mamakitty is usually inside at night.

I had two cats here, (my daughter's), and one would do anything to sneak outside and the other would just sit in the doorway even if it was wide open.

I used to think it was a bad thing to have indoor cats, but after seeing Apollo be quite happy to view the outside from the front door, i realize cats come in all types🤷‍♀

mine is an indoor cat. i won't let her go outside with all the raccoons around. plus i don't know if she'll run away because she got scared

I use to have an indoor cat name bobby, but he passed away last year, we now have a coon cat, who goes outside at times. We don't have a litter box but our backyard a litter box.

Indoors only. My one older cat goes out into the backyard once in a while, but she doesn't leave. It's fenced in, and she's too old to jump or climb.

My cats were strays. All starving and in bad shape when they showed up. They have no desire to go outside unless it is to the enclosed section of the deck. They are content to be inside where they have food, toys, soft beds and safety.

Only indoor now. The one who was indoor/outdoor got hit by a car last year and I don't feel safe letting them out anymore.

I have one of each. The one who goes out hunting was a wild stray I adopted, and she's not happy if she's not killing everything that's smaller than she is. But I don't let her out at night in cold weather.

Eddie is an indoor cat only. I think he'd try to run away if he went outside.

Did have a cat (Cory), which we'd let him have the best world possible.
Letting him in and out as he pleased.

Mine is indoor. Too many coyotes here not to mention he has one eye in which he has a cataract so his vision isn’t good

Marvin would possibly like to go out at night - but I decide what's best for him lol

I have an indoor cat but she sometimes gets curious about going outside

My cat is indoor

They stay in my truck

Cute.

He's mostly indoors. Doesn't go out at night much.

They know where they’re safe!

Hercules is personally responsible for keeping the rabbit population low..

Country all outdoor feral cats

Animals know so much more than we will ever understand