How Fast Can Cats Run?

​We’ve all seen our cats playing, or hunting out in the backyard. However, how fast can they actually run?

Cats may get a burst of frantic running, and this usually happens when they’re feeling playful. During these running spurts, they seem rather fast.

You’ve also probably seen your cat climb a tree, or jump up onto a high fence. 

In this article, we are going to be talking about cats, and their physical abilities.

Cats are a lot speedier than you think. In the wild, big cats would have to outrun prey to catch it.

These little domesticated felines can still run fast, but how fast? Let’s get on with the article to find out! 

​Cats VS Humans

​No, this isn’t the next new horror film - cats and humans have very different physical abilities.  It is truly amazing to think that your little pet cat can actually outrun the world’s fastest humans.

This is even more remarkable considering they are so small, with such short legs and delicate paws! 

An average house cat can outrun a human by around 8mph. This is pretty incomparable, and you’d definitely lose a race with a cat. Cats do not need any training or conditioning to run this fast, this is just how they are. 

So, why can cats run much faster than us?

Well, cats and humans both have the same bones, tendons, and muscles in our legs, so it is not our muscles that make us slower.

Cats can run faster than humans because their legs can handle more muscle force on the ground. Their legs are extremely muscular, so they can use all of their muscles better than we can.

​Additionally, their spines are flexible and strong, and they can arch and straighten with more ease than ours can. This gives them a better and bigger stride than us humans. 

​How High Can Cats Jump?

​Cats are extremely agile, and the world record for a cat jump is actually less than that of a human.

The world record for a human high jump is around 8 feet, whereas cats can jump around 5-6 feet high.

​This is probably because they are a lot smaller than humans. But, if you’ve ever seen a cat jump pretty high onto a fence, this is probably the highest height that they can jump.

​How Fast Can Cats Run?

​Believe it or not, cats can actually outrun tigers. Tigers can run 24 mph, whereas domestic cats can actually run at the speed of 30mph.

This is the top speed for a cat, much like how humans’ top speed is around 22mph.

When it comes down to it, if we had to run as fast as we could, most of us could run 15mph, because we are not trained runners.

Well, most domestic cats can run 30mph when they need to. Cats cannot run this fast for long distances, only in short, small bursts.

​This is dependent on a few factors about the cat, too. If the cat has health issues or is older, it is likely that it will not be able to run this fast. 

What Affects This?

Obviously, there are a few things that will affect the speed at which a cat can run at. Let’s have a look at some of these factors.

Motivation

We all know cats are pretty lazy. Some cats are lazier than others, so they may not want to run or play at all.

This is pretty normal for a cat, and this lack of motivation tends to impact domestic cats more than feral or stray cats, because feral cats have to fight for their prey and run from threats.

If a sheltered domestic cat has no apparent reason to run fast, it probably will not.

Breed

There are a few breeds of domestic cats that are unbelievably fast in comparison to others. This is because they have a different genetic makeup, breed characteristics, and physiques.

Some of the fastest breeds include the Manx, Oriental, Siamese, Somali, Savannah, Egyptian Mau, and Bengals.

These cats come from non-westernized countries, so it is in their nature to run faster in the wild.

It has actually been proven that the Egyptian Mau cat is the fastest running cat in the whole world.

Cats may be slow due to age, but in terms of breed, if they have a flatter face, they are probably slower.

This is because it is more difficult for them to breathe due to the shape of their face and nasal passageways.

If your cat is large, it will also be slower. Some of the slowest breeds include Russian Blue, Scottish Fold, Ragdoll, Munchkin, Persian, and British Shorthair cats.

All of these breeds are known for being pretty pampered, so it’s no surprise that they’re slower!

Health

The healthier your cat is, the faster it will be able to run. A cat that is slower may be suffering from a health condition, or it may just be older.

If your cat has had previous injuries or health conditions, it is likely that they will not want to overexert or injure themselves, so they will not run quickly.

​Additionally, if your cat is obese, it will not be able to run fast. Cats are great at hiding when they are ill, so you won’t even necessarily know if they are unwell.

​How Does Age Affect Their Speed?

​The older an animal or human is, the harder it gets to do physical activity. This is as true for cats as it is for humans.

Cats are in their prime time when they are between 2 and 4 years old. A young cat will probably be more energetic, and it will be able to reach big speeds.

​Additionally, as cats get older, their joints and bones will be in pain from old age, so this is another thing to consider.

​Final Thoughts

Domestic cats are a lot faster than you think, and this is because they have had to hunt to survive.

Now, a lot of cats are super pampered, so you may not have ever seen your cat run fast. Cats can run up to 10mph more than humans, which is amazing!

​Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoyed this article.
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