Cats come with long life – 9 lives to be exact. But have you ever given a thought to how high can cats jump? Several factors define how far or high a cat can jump. These factors can be age, size, weight, activity, health, and agility. Another significant factor determining the height of a cat’s jump is whether it is an adult cat or a kitten. For example, cats with shorter stature will not be able to jump as high as other breeds with a taller stature can. A pet parent should always know how high their cat can jump because cats are playful, and they tend to jump on top of the furniture, table, counters, refrigerator, and doors. So, check out how high can house cats jump to keep your cat safe, and the possessions you hold just cat-proof the house.
How High can Cats Jump?
A healthy adult cat can jump between 5 feet and 6 feet. Which means they can jump 5 to 6 times their height. The average height of an adult cat is 12 inches which is measured from ground to shoulders of the cat. Also, it has been observed that a tall adult cat can jump up to 8 feet in height.
How Do Cats Jump So High?
Ever wondered how a cat can jump high? Because of its anatomy. They gifted with a strong spinal cord, legs, and back muscles. The way a cat jumps can be compared to a tight spring – when it uncoils, it jumps forward. Therefore, when a cat jumps, it tightens up its body, crouches, and bends its legs. When the body uncoils and pushes itself forwards like a spring, it lands on the targeted surface.
This action for a cat requires minimum effort as they are naturally born with the talent to spring and jump on surfaces using their intrinsic muscles. This ability is missing in humans and other pet animals like dogs. The weight of a cat is prominently less than the power exerted by it on its muscles. Because of this ability, a cat can quickly jump high onto any surface and height.
Humans vs Cats on the High Jump
It might sound silly if we choose to compare a human’s high jump record to a cat’s. But after running for a distance and then attempting a high jump, the highest record to be set by a human is 8.04 feet. If we talk about a domestic cat without running – the highest cat jump world record is around 6 feet. The cat can jump effortlessly, and if we compare its size to a human being – we can easily conclude that a cat can be considered more agile and stronger on its feet. A human can jump only twice its height, whereas a cat can jump almost 7 times its height.
FAQs
Normally, cats can jump up to 3 to 4 feet high (for an average cat with short stature). For a tall cat, this height can go up to 5 feet.
The maximum height recorded to date for a cat to be able to jump around 8 feet. This is almost as high as the record set by the highest jumper for human beings. The maximum height is around 2 to 3 feet for small or older cats.
A case reported in 1987 claimed that a cat had survived a 5-story fall. However, the cat did require some treatment from the vet afterward.
Studies have revealed that a cat can fall from 20 stories or even 200 feet and still survive without fewer injuries. The theory has been proven up to an extent.
Yes, a cat can fall 10 feet without any injury because they can quickly jump over 8 feet, such as tall fences and walls.
Cats love to sit in high places and observe the surroundings below. Cats usually don’t jump from balconies, but in case they fall, it naturally comes to them to jump onto something to land and not lose their balance while falling.
It might take you a while to understand if your cat is hurt from falling, but you can always look out for the symptoms such as reluctance shown by the cat to walk or stand, stiff gait, whining, limping, difficulty in breathing, decreased appetite or unwilling to eat, pain upon lying down or trying to rise. Always make sure that you have your vet’s card or contact number, as you need to rush your cat to the vet immediately if such an accident occurs.
Kittens can start jumping high when it crosses 6 weeks of age. They start by showing the ability to walk slowly, moving on to running, hopping, and then jumping. By the end of 8 weeks, kittens can quickly jump onto furniture and low-rise counters.
On the off chance, your cat falls from a height, and you notice a significant change in its behavior, such as reluctance to walk or sit. You need to take it to the vet immediately. Make sure that you are not touching the pain areas and are gentle with it while carrying it to the vet.
Most of the kittens has the ability to jump about 1 feet. They can’t jump much higher like the adult cats.
An average adult cat can jump horizontally up to 7 to 8 times their height which will be in between 6 to 7 feet.
Some highest jumping feline breeds are Bengal, Savannah, Abyssinian, Somali and Oriental.
A pet caracal had the record for highest vertical jump that is 11.5 feet.
Simply, they are designed in such manner; Cats are very good at hunting vermin with its body design. With extreme flexibility and powerful back legs they can jump up to 7 to 8 times of their height which is higher than dogs.
Conclusion
Cats are mischievous, and no matter how much you try, you will never be able to control their instinct to jump and perch themselves on higher grounds. They love to sit on the top and observe the surrounding below. Cats have a strong spine, making it easy to spring onto higher objects without any effort. Compared to other animals, cats have stronger muscles and more power in their body which they can exert to jump high. It can jump as high as 7 to 8 times its height. But as a responsible pet parent, you need to make sure that your balconies enclosed, and your cat is never at the risk of falling from the balcony and hurting itself.