Do cats recognise human scents?

[NewCatMummy]

We live about 200m from my in-laws with ‘field- 40mph road - field’ in between us. My in-laws cat (18 ish months male, neutered, ex stray, has lived with them since May and is well bonded with them) is appearing in our garden/looking through our cat flap every morning. My teen son house and cat sat for the in-laws for a week earlier in the year (when allowed by COVID) and said cat slept on his chest every night- I wonder if he has realised that we are a familiar scent and that’s why he keeps visiting? Clearly our two female cats don’t know he’s family and keep hissing at him (they’re wimps and mostly run away).

Anyone else had a known cat visit their garden or house?

[NewCatMummy]

To clarify- we’re on the edge of an estate so many other houses he could also visit!

[SilentScreenQueen]

They have a good sense of smell so I don’t see why they wouldn’t recognise different people.

[Papergirl1968]

I don’t know but I’d be worried sick about the cat crossing that road.

[thecatneuterer]

@Papergirl1968

I don’t know but I’d be worried sick about the cat crossing that road.

My thoughts exactly!

[NewCatMummy]

@Papergirl1968

I don’t know but I’d be worried sick about the cat crossing that road.

We’re all worried about him crossing the road as people go much faster than 40mph on it. He’s miserable stuck in the house and has climbed out of an upstairs Velux before to get out so keeping him in isn’t practical. Their four previous cats haven’t gone further than half way towards the road from their house, it’s just him. Son found him trying to break in through our cat flap at midnight last night. In laws shut him out of their bedroom at night so don’t know if he’s trying to find a friendly human to sleep with!

[Papergirl1968]

Aw, bless. He sounds determined.

[GreenCat44]

My sister and mum live in the same street and my sister's cat visit to be spoilt with treats by his grandparents!
Probably followed his humans there at some point though (he's 16)