Do cats always land on their feet?

Cats are elegant and graceful. Except, of course, when they are not! Yesterday, I watched my acrobatic cat teeter on the edge of a table. Suddenly, he leapt toward the kitchen benchtop, but unusually, he missed the mark entirely, resulting in an ignoble “thump” as he hit the ground. Naturally, I ducked my head under the table to check if he was okay. Of course, he was—he had landed solidly on his feet, as cats are “supposed” to do. This got me wondering: Do cats always land on their feet?

After a bit of research, I realized the truth is that while cats are exceptional at landing feet-first thanks to their agility and aerial righting reflex, they don’t always succeed. Cats have a unique ability to orient themselves mid-air using what’s called the righting reflex, and this is probably why we have this idea that cats always land on their feet. The righting reflex helps our adventurous cats when they set out on their ninja-like exploration of the world, but it doesn’t always guarantee they will always be safe from falls. It’s important to be aware that falls can occur due to various factors such as misjudging distances, being startled, or exploring unstable surfaces. Unexpected slips or health issues can also prevent a safe landing.

Read on to find out how it works and how you can keep your feline friend safe.

Why & How Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet

Cats are curious and adventurous, always seeking new places to explore. Whether chasing bugs or leaping from high perches, they’re bound to fall sometimes. Younger and more adventurous cats are especially prone to risky behaviour, leading to unexpected tumbles. Fortunately, their righting reflex helps them twist their bodies mid-air to land feet-first.

Cats possess an extraordinary ability to land on their feet, thanks to their righting reflex. The process begins with the head: cats align their head upright first based on information from the eyes, muscles and joints, and vestibular apparatus of the inner ears (which provide information about balance and motion). Their midsection follows, and they rotate their back half to bring their feet underneath them. Their tails help with balance, allowing them to land gracefully on their pads.

Kittens start developing the righting reflex around three weeks old and fully master it by seven weeks, showcasing an incredible efficiency that allows them to twist and land safely during falls. Their incredible flexibility, aided by the lack of a collarbone, plays a key role in this ability. Cats’ spines are highly flexible, allowing them to twist with precision.

Another useful technique that helps explain why cats land on their feet is a cat’s ability to spread its legs out during a fall, which increases air resistance, much like a parachute. By pulling in their front legs and extending their back legs, they create rotational control, allowing the front half to spin faster. As the rear legs swing around, they tuck them in while extending the front legs to prevent over-spinning, ensuring a stable descent. This technique reduces impact force, but while it often saves cats from injury, it’s not always foolproof.

Exceptions When Cats Don’t Land Safely on Their Feet

So we know that cat’s are pretty good at falling without hurting themselves, but is there any time when a cat doesn’t land on its feet?

Unfortunately, yes. Even with their impressive reflexes and athleticism, cats can’t always land unscathed. There are times when a cat doesn’t land on its feet. Cats cannot handle falls from just any height. A study from the 1980s on feline high-rise syndrome found cats were more likely to survive falls from more than one story (about 3 metres) but less than seven stories. Falls beyond seven stories were often fatal. Here are a few conditions that might mean your cat doesn’t land on its feet and can become seriously injured from a fall.

Firstly, landing on their feet doesn’t always protect them from injury. Falling from extreme heights can cause severe injuries or death simply because of the amount of force with which a cat will hit the ground. This is a particular risk to be aware of if you live in an apartment or multi-storey dwelling. Vets refer to cats who present with these kinds of injuries, such as shattered bones, pelvic injuries or even punctured lungs, as having High-Rise Syndrome.

Sometimes, it’s actually Short Falls that present the risk, because cat’s are not able to activate their righting reflex quickly enough, and they don’t have enough time to orient themselves. This explains why falls from counters or shelves can still be dangerous.

Finally, if your cat has Health Conditions that affect its physicality and bone strength, factors like obesity, age, or diseases such as vestibular disease can significantly impair its reflex and ability to land safely. These factors reduce agility and make it harder for cats to right themselves quickly, even from heights of 4 or 5 feet. The lack of time or coordination to fully rotate may result in the cat landing on their side, back, or head, risking severe injuries.

In addition to these factors, environmental hazards like slippery surfaces or cluttered areas can also increase the likelihood of injuries. Cats may land awkwardly if they misjudge their jump or encounter obstacles mid-fall.

Evolutionary Advantage of the Righting Reflex

The righting reflex likely evolved as a survival mechanism for cats. Cats in the wild climb and leap frequently, putting them at risk of falls. Those better adapted to land on their feet survived to pass on this trait. Over time, this ability became a hallmark of feline agility.

Cats’ climbing habits expose them to high risks. Their evolutionary solution was not only agility but also the development of highly flexible spines and the absence of a collarbone, which helps them twist mid-air with remarkable precision.

Interestingly, this agility isn’t just for survival. It also allows cats to hunt effectively in complex environments, giving them an edge in both evasion and predation. The combination of their reflexes and keen balance makes them highly adaptable creatures.

The reflex also varies slightly between breeds. For instance, more athletic breeds like Abyssinians and Bengals often show quicker reflexes compared to heavier or more sedentary breeds. This shows how a cat’s overall fitness can influence their ability to recover mid-air.

How to Keep Cats Safe from Falls

As much as we marvel at their acrobatics and talk about how agile and Ninja-like our cats are, there are still simple things we need to do as responsible cat owners to ensure our cats stay safe from falls:

• Cat-proof your balcony or windows by installing window screens, cat netting, or guards to prevent falls from balconies or windows.
  Provide safe indoor climbing structures to satisfy their need for height whilst keeping them safe from injury.
• Even indoor cats can be at risk. Consider investing in secure cat netting enclosures or “catios” to give them the stimulation they need without the associated risks.
• Enrich your outdoor enclosures with toys, plants, and safe climbing options to keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated.
• Supervise your cat’s activities, especially in multi-story homes, and never allow your cat to spend time on an open balcony by themselves.
• Train your cat to avoid risky behaviours, like climbing up onto high wardrobes or on balcony railings. Positive reinforcement can encourage them to stay away from dangerous ledges or openings. Additionally, providing ample mental and physical stimulation indoors can reduce their need to explore precarious spots.
• Don’t forget to inspect your home regularly for hazards. Items like unsecured furniture or dangling cords can create additional risks for curious cats.

Myths about Cat Falls

Here are some common myths about cat falls debunked:

• Cats have nine lives: No, cats have only one life. Their agility helps them survive, but they’re not invincible.
• Cats always land on their feet: Not always. They often land on their feet but can fail under certain conditions.
• Cats can’t be injured by falls: False. Cats can sustain injuries, especially from great heights or shortfalls.
• Cats don’t need supervision outdoors: Without proper precautions, outdoor adventures can be dangerous.
• Cats don’t get hurt in shortfalls: Shortfalls can still cause injuries because they lack time to activate their righting reflex.

Final Thoughts: How Do Cats Land on Their Feet?

Cats possess a remarkable righting reflex that helps them land on their feet during falls, but they still remain vulnerable to injuries. As a responsible pet owner, it’s our job to prioritize their safety by understanding this reflex and implementing preventive measures to reduce fall risks, such as securing windows and minimizing access to hazardous heights.

Ensuring your cat’s safety doesn’t mean limiting their adventures entirely. By providing safe environments and staying vigilant, you can let your feline friends explore their world without undue risk. Outdoor cat enclosures with enrichments can be a safe way for them to engage with their surroundings while minimizing fall risks. If you’re looking for a reliable cat netting enclosure installer in Perth, Kittysafe can help. At Kittysafe, we offer premium cat netting along with a 12-month warranty on workmanship and a 5-year guarantee against Perth’s UV rays.

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