This question poses an interesting dilemma. Cats indeed possess the ability to remember people who have been absent for a significant duration. They also exhibit memory for specific places. I recall an instance when I had to go on a trip shortly after adopting a cat. During my absence, I entrusted her care to my parents. Many years later, I ended up purchasing my parents’ house. Upon moving in, my other cats took about a week to adjust and hide, but this particular feline seemed immediately comfortable. It was as if she recognized the place, recalling it as the location where those kind individuals provided her with delicious lunch meat.

I suspect that cats may also retain memories of other feline companions. However, it’s uncertain whether they remember the nature of the relationship or if familial ties hold the same significance for them.

In my experience, I have several cats who are related but come from different litters. Whenever we decide to keep a kitten from a litter, we ensure to keep two so they have a playmate of the same age.

Interestingly, as time passes, many of these cats lose interest in their litter siblings and instead form a special bond with another cat in the household. Often, this attachment is established with a sibling from a different litter, even though the cats have no way of knowing their shared lineage.

While many of my cats choose to pair up during sleep time, it is seldom with their litter mates. They tend to form these sleeping partnerships with other cats in the household, creating unique bonds that transcend their litter origins.