Do you know how much cats jump?

Curious cat

The body of the cat is specially designed for hunting: it has strong teeth to chew meat, a very fine ear with which it can hear the sound of a mouse from 7 meters away, and a sense of balance that not even the best human. tightrope walker owns. You can walk through very narrow corridors as normal, and without falling.

Have you ever wondered how much cats jump? Surely more than once you have seen your furry sitting on a table or a shelf, but Is this the total height he can jump?

How many meters can a cat jump?

The reality is ... it depends 🙂. If you are healthy, a cat can jump up to five times its height. There is nothing! Now, everything that goes up ... must come down. We might think that the higher the height, the greater the chances that the animal will suffer some damage, but the truth is that it is the opposite. The higher the animal is, the more time it will have to turn around. In fact, it is easier for him to end up with a broken leg if he falls from a height of 1m, than from 3 or 4m.

Cats are incredible, and to show a video where you can see one jumping an impressive height: two meters. His keeper put a 'bait' on him to encourage the animal to jump. And boy did he.

Still, there are cats who prefer to go the easy way, and if they can get on a 3m shelf standing on top of another piece of furniture next to it… they will. Sure. And to go down, the same.

Our friends are very curious, but also very intelligent. So much so that they will only expend energy when they really feel it is worth it; Or in other words, they will only jump if they want to hunt (food or toy), or for survival.

From what height do cats jump? Do cats jump off the balcony?

Parachute cat syndrome is very common

Once the cat is on top of some high surface (indoors), when will it decide to jump into the void or take a shortcut? Again, depends. If he has nothing to serve as a shortcut, he will only jump to the ground if the height is relatively short, one to two meters.

The problem is that if we live in an apartment and we let it go out to the balcony or terrace where we have not put any protection (net), or if we leave even one window open, the animal could fall into the void from the floor that was: from a first to an attic. You may think I'm exaggerating, but when a feline is on the lookout for a possible prey (a bird that approaches the balcony or the window, for example) it will try to hunt it without thinking about anything else.

This is called parachute cat syndrome, and it is very frequent. But as I said, it can be avoided by simply putting a cat net, which is very inexpensive. You can check it yourself by doing click here. A net will prevent your cat from ending up with broken legs or losing it forever, so don't hesitate to put one on if you have a balcony and / or have a tendency to leave windows open.

Young cat of the Maine Coon breed by the window
Related article:
What is and how to prevent parachute cat syndrome?

Why do cats jump a lot?

Cats don't like to be on the ground very much: feel insecure and / or stressed. During their evolution they had many potential predators: other cats, wolves, foxes, and so on. They are very agile animals, and very fast, but the truth is that this is not enough if we compare it with other animals (the cheetah, which is the fastest in the world, can reach 120km / h and the lion 80km / h).

Given this scenario, it is normal for the cat to want to be as high as possible. And yes, now that he lives at home he is not chased by any large animals, but the survival instinct is very, very strong. Therefore, the usual thing is that you try to spend as much time as possible on the chairs, sofas, shelves, etc.

How much can a cat run?

Cats can reach 35km / h

The jack is small but can match a car in first gear. Yes Yes, the maximum speed it reaches is about 35km / h. But like the cheetah, he is a sprinter, not a long-distance runner, which is why his would-be prey try to tire him out, because they know his strength is draining fast.

This is also why the 2-3 daily game sessions should be short, half an hour or so. And it is that he will not have energy for more (with exceptions, of course 🙂).

The feline that lives with us is an animal that, often driven by curiosity, can get into very serious trouble. We, as his human family that we are, have to ensure that the home is safe for him, because we would all like to see him jump whenever he wanted; yes, inside the house.


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  1.   Mercè said

    They are very agile and fast, as well as intelligent. If they want to enter, exit, climb or jump to a site they will.
    Mine get in and up everywhere, they have even learned to open the hall door…! They have it easy because there is a piece of furniture nearby, but even so, it has its merit.
    I always say "If you want to look young, be agile as a cat!" Age doesn't matter, agility matters, and cats keep it until their senior year. There are records of 24, 25, 27 until the unbeaten one who is in 38 years!
    They are admirable as an animal, they dominate their bodies at will, they also arrive, to wash themselves, to every corner as unbeatable contortionists.

    1.    Monica sanchez said

      They are very curious animals. As you say, they stay completely clean, they reach very high places with just one jump ... and they give a lot of affection. All in exchange for minimal care and attention.

  2.   Carol said

    They are fucking disgusting who shit in my house just because they can't find food to steal, even my dishes have broken looking for food. I believe in God that's why I don't poison them.

    1.    Monica sanchez said

      Hello Carol.
      Have you tried putting on some repellent for cats? You will find it for sale in pet stores.
      If not, you can put oranges, or lemons. They don't like the smell.
      A greeting.

  3.   ladi johana said

    My cat today jumped off the third floor and stopped standing I was very happy to examine him I gave him medicine for discomfort and he is as if nothing had happened

    1.    Monica sanchez said

      Hi Ladi.
      I'm glad he's better now, but you shouldn't give him human medicine unless advised by your vet, as there are many that could be very dangerous, such as aspirin.
      A greeting.

  4.   Ailen said

    My cat was lost and I am afraid that she has fallen into a very deep place. How high they can jump the most. I'm afraid that I can't go back!

    1.    Monica sanchez said

      Hi Ailen.
      Cats can jump a height of 3-4 meters. If it's lost, go find it. Put up "wanted" signs with your photo and a phone number, ask about the neighbors, and notify the vet.
      Good luck.