How Do Cats Survive Falls from Buildings?

Cats are more likely to survive, and have fewer injuries, from building falls because their inner ears essentially act as gyroscopes. This allows cats to be able to change their positions quickly to get their legs underneath their bodies. Once a cat reaches terminal velocity, or the maximum speed of its fall, it either flexes its legs or relaxes and spreads its legs horizontally to absorb the impact of the fall. Cats have a low terminal velocity of about 60 miles per hour (about 97 km/h), compared with the average human's terminal velocity of 120 miles per hour (about 193 km/h). They therefore don’t fall as quickly and are subject to less of an impact and chance of injury.

More about falling cats:

  • Cats that fall less than seven stories are the most likely to be injured because they don’t have enough time to adjust their positions as they fall.
  • Urban or suburban cats are more likely to be injured if they fall because they are more often overweight and not in peak physical condition.
  • The science of studying falling cats is known as feline pesematology and is done by using veterinary reports of cat falls and not by conducting actual experiments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do cats manage to survive high falls?

Cats have a unique survival trait known as the righting reflex, which allows them to orient themselves mid-air and land on their feet. Their flexible spine aids in this maneuver. Additionally, cats have a low body surface area to weight ratio, which means they reach a non-lethal terminal velocity, allowing them to survive falls from great heights.

What is the 'cat righting reflex' and how does it work?

The cat righting reflex is an innate ability in cats to quickly determine up from down and twist their bodies to land on their feet. This reflex begins to appear at 3 weeks of age and is perfected by 7 weeks. The vestibular apparatus in their inner ear plays a crucial role in sensing orientation, enabling this mid-air twist.

Is there a limit to the height from which a cat can survive a fall?

While cats have survived falls from extreme heights, there is no definitive safe limit. Injuries are possible, and the severity can increase with height. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats that fell from higher than seven stories suffered fewer injuries than those from lower heights, likely due to having more time to position themselves for landing.

Do cats always land on their feet?

While cats often land on their feet due to their righting reflex, it is not guaranteed. The height of the fall and the cat's health, age, and body condition can affect their ability to right themselves. Falls from lower heights can actually be more dangerous because cats may not have enough time to adjust their posture.

What kind of injuries can cats sustain from high falls?

Cats can sustain various injuries from high falls, including broken bones, particularly in the lower jaw, pelvis, and limbs. They can also suffer from thoracic trauma, such as punctured lungs, and abdominal injuries like ruptured organs. Immediate veterinary care is crucial to address these injuries and prevent complications.

How can cat owners prevent high-rise syndrome in cats?

Cat owners can prevent high-rise syndrome by ensuring windows, balconies, and terraces are securely screened. It's important to use sturdy screens that can withstand a cat's weight. Additionally, keeping furniture away from windows can discourage cats from climbing near potential fall hazards. Regular checks and maintenance of protective barriers can further reduce the risk of falls.

More Info: discovery.com

Discussion Comments

anon328052

"Cats have a low terminal velocity of about 60 miles per hour, compared with the average human..." likely doesn't factor into the equation, as all bodies accelerate at the same rate when falling. For a cat to reach 60 MPH (the stated terminal velocity), it would have to fall from >100 feet, or ~10+ stories. So the cat's advantage speed-wise (assuming that 60 is actually the TV of a cat) would come into play only for falls over 10 stories.

For lesser heights, a human and a cat would "crash" at about the same speed, except for some fairly minor air resistance effects (a fall from 100 ft will result in 80 fps, whereas 60 mph= 88 fps, so final velocity will be somewhat less than 60 mph after a 100 foot fall).

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