True or False: Cats always land on their feet

Answer: False

While cats have the unique ability to land on their feet during most falls, it doesn’t happen every time. Called the “righting reflex”, most kittens develop this by seven weeks old. This is due to the vestibular apparatus in cat’s ears, which is used for balance and orientation. Plus, their unique skeletal structure and flexible spine means they can rotate themselves very easily during a drop.

However, the key factor in determining the chances of a cat landing on their feet is the height of the fall. Studies show that the higher it is, the more time a cat has to correct its positioning to ensure a perfect landing. Amazingly, a veterinary record showed that after falling 32 stories, a pet was returned to its owner only two days later with only a chipped tooth and punctured lung. However, note that overweight cats are much less likely to be able to right themselves during a fall.

Since cats are always climbing and jumping onto things, their arched legs are designed to act as shock absorbers. When they expand them during a fall to spread out their body, this allows them to turn into mini parachutes. While cats don’t always land on their feet, their ability to do so in most cases makes them pretty special! 

Despite this, always make sure your pet is protected from heights, especially if you live in a high-rise apartment. If your cat takes a serious fall, take them to see a VCA veterinarian immediately. 

Does your cat prefer lounging to climbing? Read our exercise tips to get them moving!  >>