It’s pretty amazing how high cats can jump. But what’s even more impressive is that they can do it without hurting themselves. So how do cats jump so high?
Let’s take a look.
How do cats jump so high?
The structure of a rear leg, the spinal column, and a creature’s tail influence whether a cat can jump high.
A cat can leap up to seven times its height. How in the world do they get such size? Well, it’s all thanks to their structure and what’s inside them.
A typical cat has four legs that quickly help it push off the ground and into the air. A cat’s body is also very light, weighing around 10 pounds on average. Since it doesn’t weigh that much, it can jump higher than dogs or other animals that might be bigger.
What Makes A Cat Jump So High?
When most people think of cats, they think of how flexible they are. And that flexibility comes from their spine. For example, a cat’s spine has about 53 bones that help them bend into different positions like any other mammal.
Let’s understand the rear legs, tail, and spine of the cat to understand its ability to jump. All three of them work in sync for a cat to jump incredibly high. That’s what helps a cat jump at least seven times its height.
Muscles In The Rear Legs
The muscles in the rear legs are mighty and this is why a cat can jump relatively high. The muscles in the hind legs are powerful, allowing them to push off with ease. Those muscles are also attached to its backside, which helps it go up into the air.
The Tail And Spinal Column Make A Difference
A cat’s tail is almost as long as its body, so it’s beneficial in propelling the cat forward. When the tail is bent at an angle, it means that the cat can stretch out and push off even more.
A cat’s tail is helpful when it comes to jumping. A cat can bend its tail forward, which helps push it into the air even more.
In addition, the spinal cord also contains nerves that send signals to muscles all over the body and detect injuries and changes in movement. The ability to jump so high with such flexibility is part of how cats move and jump without injuring themselves.
By looking at the structure of a cat’s body, we can see how they make such high leaps without hurting themselves. But, thanks to the muscles in their backside, their spinal column, and their tail, they can push off with ease.
General Physique
The cat’s general physique is another reason it can jump so high. A cat is very light, not weighing too much. Therefore, when a cat decides to jump, it has little weight to hold it down.
These are the reasons can is able to jump as high as six times its size.
Reasons Cats Can Jump High
Why did cats evolve to be such incredible jumpers? The truth is that their musculature and skeleton happen made them perfect for the sport, but why does this exist in our best interests as a species.
Cats jump so high to catch prey and to survive falls. There are no other reasons than that, so the next time you see your cat jump up high, realize they can because of everything I mentioned above.
They Can Jump High To Get Prey
Cats can jump very high to catch their prey. A cat’s tail helps it keep balance when it jumps up high. Its tail can act as a counterweight or balancing tool when needed.
They Can Jump To Survive Falls
A cat’s greatest threat is to fall from high-up places, so they need to be able to jump high to avoid injury. That’s why cats are built with strong leg muscles, spinal column, and tail.
The Jumping Ability Is Not For Entertainment Purposes
Cats don’t need to jump high to live, so it’s not for entertainment purposes either.
It helps them escape predators.
The jumping abilities of cats help them escape from predators such as coyotes and other animals and allow them to catch prey in the wild.
Cats are arboreal animals.
Cats are considered arboreal animals, which means they climb trees. For cats, jumping high is a necessity to avoid being attacked by other animals, such as coyotes, and allows them to reach their desired habitats with ease.
They Jump up high to get to a place where they can rest.
Cats jump very high when they want to get places where they feel safe, such as in trees or on top of furniture. But, to be comfortable and relaxed, they need a lot of space. So that’s why cats jump up so high!
How Do I Keep My Cat From Jumping on Tables and Countertops?
Cats love to jump up high because it could be their way of finding a safe place, so it’s essential to know how to stop your cat from jumping on the table, countertops, and other unsafe sites. Here are some encouraging steps you can take for your cat to remain safe:
Make Sure There Is Plenty Of Cat Furniture For Your Cat To Jump Onto
Cats love to jump onto high places, so your cat must have plenty of safe places to perch upon. These could include scratching posts, window ledges, or even actual furniture pieces you’ve designated for your pet.
Keep A Constant Eye On Your Cat Whenever It’s in the Same Room with You
If you know your cat is in the room, you need to be on the lookout for where it could jump. Cats are able to jump six times their height. They are speedy and can quickly jump onto tables or other places that might not be safe.
Keep Your Cat Busy With Interactive Toys
Cats love toys that allow them to have fun while relieving boredom, such as a laser pointer or other interactive playthings that can keep your cat’s mind and body active. That way, it won’t feel the need to jump onto tables to get its kicks.
How high can a cat jump?
On average, an adult cat can spring five or six times its height, which is about 4-5 feet. But, of course, there are exceptions. For example, you may have witnessed your cat leaping what appears to be a giant chasm, such as from the sofa in your living room to the chair.
How Far Can Cats Jump?
A video discovered a cat leaping to touch a suspended cotton ball that was 7-8 times its height in research on cat thigh muscles. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Waffle, the Warrior Cat from the United States, has made the longest horizontal jump by a feline at 7 feet and is held by him.
Final Words:
Cats are amazing creatures, and they jump for many reasons, it’s essential for both you and your cat to remain safe, so make sure there are plenty of high places for your pet to get onto when needed. Use these steps above to get your cat to stop jumping on the countertops or other dangerous places around the house.
