Cats are remarkably resilient creatures when it comes to sustaining injuries and surviving trauma. Their unique physiology and instincts give them an edge over many other animals in bouncing back from situations that would seriously harm or even kill other species. This article will explore why cats seem to have “nine lives” and examine the various ways they are resilient to injuries, falls, toxins, diseases, surgery, and more. We’ll overview the evolutionary adaptations and anatomical features that enable cats to heal quickly and recover from incidents that other pets may not.
Anatomy
Cats have a flexible skeletal structure that contributes to their resilience. Their skeletons are extremely light and flexible, with elastic bones that can absorb shocks from falls (https://blog.catbandit.com/why-do-cats-survive-high-falls-exploring-the-science-behind-feline-resilience/). Cats have 30 vertebrae in their spinal column, which gives them great flexibility and mobility. Their intervertebral cartilage is very thick, further promoting an elastic spine that can withstand impacts.
Cats also have loose skin that acts like a protective cushion when they fall. Their skin is very elastic and can stretch to absorb shocks. Underneath their skin, cats have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat that acts like a padding or cushioning when they land (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-of-the-self/202310/how-we-can-be-agile-balanced-and-resilient-like-a-cat). Overall, the skeletal structure, skin elasticity, and subcutaneous fat of cats helps protect them from injuries when falling from heights.
Nine Lives
The idea that cats have nine lives has its origins in mythology and folklore. This legend likely emerged from ancient Egypt, where cats were revered and associated with divinity and magic. Bastet, the cat-headed Egyptian goddess, was believed to bestow multiple lives on cats.1
An old English proverb states “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.” This references the notion of cats having nine lives and hints they go through different phases.2 The nine lives myth may also stem from cats’ agility and perceived luck in surviving falls and accidents that would seriously injure other animals.
While captivating, the nine lives legend is just a myth. House cats do not actually have nine lives. However, their resilient physiology allows cats to withstand trauma and mishaps that could seriously harm other pets. A cat’s flexible spine, loose skin, fast reflexes, and ability to twist mid-air are key adaptations that help it land on its feet and avoid severe injury from falls.
Falling
Cats have an impressive ability to survive falls from great heights. According to Wired, cats can actually survive falls from higher buildings better than shorter buildings due to factors like air resistance and body positioning [1]. The BBC explains that cats are able to survive falls up to 60mph because they have a keen sense of balance and body righting reflexes that allow them to orient themselves feet first [2].
A key factor is their “righting reflex” which allows cats to orient their bodies feet first before landing. As soon as they begin falling, cats spread out and arch their backs to increase air resistance and slow the speed of descent. Their legs absorb some of the impact at landing. While falls can still injure or kill cats, their righting reflex greatly improves their chance of survival even from multi-story heights.
Healing
Cats are known for their ability to heal quickly from injuries and wounds. This is thanks to some key aspects of feline anatomy and physiology:
Cats have a higher body temperature than humans, ranging from 100-102°F. Their warmer body temperature creates an environment that discourages bacterial growth and promotes faster healing (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/care-of-open-wounds-in-cats).
Cats also have more lymphocytes than humans, which allows them to mount a stronger immune response. Lymphocytes help fight infection and play a role in wound healing (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8076477/).
When it comes to cell regeneration, cats have faster turnover of epithelial cells. The epithelial tissue covers the external and internal body surfaces. Quick turnover of these cells allows wounds to close up more rapidly (https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/care-of-open-wounds-in-cats).
Cats also experience faster collagen deposition during healing. Collagen provides strength and structure to wounds. Higher collagen levels allow cat wounds to regain integrity faster than human wounds (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8076477/).
In terms of bone healing, cats can regenerate bone tissue more efficiently than other mammals. Their bones retain higher plasticity and regenerative capabilities as adults. This allows cats to heal fractures quickly (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8076477/).
Together, these physiological advantages give cats rapid wound healing abilities compared to humans and other animals. From regenerating cells to rebuilding bone, their bodies are primed for fast recovery from injury.
Diseases
Cats have a stronger immune system compared to humans and dogs, making them more resistant to certain infectious diseases. This is due to genetic and evolutionary factors. Cats have fewer functional MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class II genes that present pathogen antigens to T cells, but their limited MHC repertoire enables more specialized immune responses (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5028948/). Cats are also not as frequently affected by arthropod-borne diseases as dogs, suggesting they have evolved more effective immune mechanisms against these types of pathogens.
However, cats are still susceptible to some viral infections like feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus. They can also develop immune deficiency diseases from malnutrition, stress, toxins, or cancer that leave them vulnerable to opportunistic infections (https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/immune-disorders-of-cats/immune-deficiency-diseases-in-cats). Overall though, the feline immune system provides cats with increased protection that contributes to their reputation for resilience.
Toxins
Cats have an amazing ability to recover from toxins and poisons due to their unique physiology, metabolism, and behavior. Cats are meticulous groomers and may ingest harmful chemicals while licking their paws and fur (1). Their physiology helps protect them from toxins in several ways:
Cats have a high functioning liver that helps process and eliminate toxins. They have high levels of certain liver enzymes like glucuronyl transferase that can detoxify some chemicals that are toxic to other animals (2). Their kidneys are also very efficient at filtering toxins into the urine and excreting them from the body.
Cats tend to eat small, frequent meals which also protects their liver. Large, infrequent meals can overload the liver with toxins. Cats’ unique metabolism helps them break down and eliminate fat-soluble toxins as well (3).
While cats have remarkable resilience, toxins can still overwhelm their system in large enough quantities. Care should be taken to avoid exposure to toxins through proper storage, avoiding toxic plants, and keeping cats indoors (4). Signs of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, lethargy, and poor coordination. Quick veterinary treatment can help support the liver and kidneys to aid recovery.
Sources:
(1) https://www.dvm360.com/view/toxicology-brief-10-most-common-toxicoses-cats
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8801065/
(3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159121002318
(4) https://www.dvm360.com/view/toxicology-brief-10-most-common-toxicoses-cats
Surgery
Cats are remarkably resilient when it comes to undergoing anesthesia and recovering from surgery. Modern anesthetics used by veterinarians are very safe, and mortality rates are quite low, with less than 0.2% of healthy cats having serious complications (source). However, cats do metabolize drugs differently than other animals due to unique features like their highly efficient liver. Guidelines recommend dosing anesthesia carefully in cats, monitoring them closely under anesthesia, and allowing proper recovery time (source).
Cats can recover quickly from invasive surgery thanks to their ability to tightly regulate their body temperature. While under anesthesia, cats can lose the ability to control their temperature through vasoconstriction and shivering. Veterinarians provide external heating sources during surgery to prevent hypothermia. As soon as anesthesia wears off, a cat quickly regains normal temperature control and returns to homeostasis, allowing healing to begin (source). This rapid normalization of body temperature after surgery contributes to cats’ remarkable resilience.
Psychological
Cats are known for their independence and ability to adapt to changes in their environment. This makes them psychologically resilient to stress compared to other pets. Studies have shown that cats exhibit lower stress behaviors such as vocalizing, hiding, and restlessness when their owners are present, indicating the social support cats receive from their owners helps them cope with stress (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159121002318). Cats are not pack animals like dogs, so they do not depend on others in their social group for security. This allows cats to psychologically handle separation and change better than pets who are more social.
Additionally, cats are territory-oriented and tend to identify with places rather than people. This means they can adapt well to a new home as long as their basic needs are met, whereas a dog may have more difficulty being separated from their family or pack. Overall, cats’ independent nature and adaptability appears to make them resilient to stressors that would negatively affect more social or dependent pets.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, cats are remarkably resilient creatures due to several key factors related to their anatomy, physiology, and psychology. Their flexible backbone allows them to twist in midair and right themselves when falling. Their loose skin protects internal organs and their thick fur cushions impact. Cats have more rods than cones in their eyes, giving them excellent night vision. They also have an acute sense of hearing and smell.
Cats seem to have “nine lives” due to their ability to survive injuries, toxins, and diseases that would kill other animals. They are masters at healing themselves and have a high threshold for pain. Even their personalities contribute to resilience – cats are often cautious, agile, and aware of their surroundings. While they are not indestructible, cats have evolved both physically and mentally to survive situations that would seriously harm most mammals. Their legendary resilience is why cats continue to fascinate us today.
