Do cats have nine lives?

Whether it’s a tumble from heights or any other narrow escape, cats have an uncanny knack for getting out of trouble and surviving situations that many animals wouldn’t. This amazing ability, and a bit of storytelling, has led to the perception that cats are practically indestructible… but what’s the reality behind the myth? 

Do cats actually have 9 lives? 

Sadly, but unsurprisingly, the short answer is no – cat’s don’t really have nine lives. Biologically, a cat has just the one life like every other animal. The nine lives thing is a piece of folklore that celebrates a cat’s survival skills and physical attributes, including their agility, flexible spine, low centre of gravity and righting reflex that helps them twist in mid-air and land on their feet if they fall.  

These physical traits can make cats more likely to survive accidents, including falls, that would seriously injure many other animals (humans included!). But they’re not immortal. The phrase “a cat has nine lives” is more a nod to their survivability than a medical fact! 

Why do we say cats have nine lives? 

It’s not really known why it’s exactly nine lives, but there’s proof the saying has been around for hundreds of years. Shakespeare even referred to it in Romeo and Juliet (written in the late 16th century), when Mercutio calls Tybalt the “king of cats” and jokes about taking one of his nine lives. 

Across different cultures and time periods too, from Ancient Egypt to medieval Europe, cats have long been seen as mysterious, lucky, or even magical, which has likely helped fuel the idea of them having multiple lives. It’s also worth noting that the number of lives can actually vary by culture. In some traditions, cats are said to have seven lives, while in others it’s eight, while in the UK and much of the modern Western world it’s nine. 

Can cats cheat death? 

• No, cats can’t literally cheat death, but what they can do is “cheat” certain kinds of injury thanks to several physical advantages:
• Righting reflex – As kittens, cats master an innate ability to twist mid-air if they fall so their feet face the ground. Combined with their flexible vertebrae and a type of free-floating collarbone (called a clavicle), their flexibility can help them land more safely.
• Increased drag - Because they can spread their limbs and create drag, cats can slow themselves if they fall (a bit like a parachute), helping to lower their speed and occasionally survive falls you’d think they wouldn’t.
• Impact absorption – Again, because of their flexible spine and strong, springy limbs, cats can distribute the impact of a fall better than many other animals, helping to absorb the shock and prevent injury or death.
• General survival skills – Falls and tumbles aside, cats have many other amazing physical characteristics that help them survive. This includes excellent vision, particularly in low light, an acute sense of smell, highly developed hearing, sensitive whiskers for detecting obstacles, and stealthy movements designed for hunting small prey. Combined with their ability to sniff out a meal from a friendly neighbour or two, and it’s no wonder they’ve gained a reputation as extreme survivalists! 

Real life cases of cats’ survival skills 

While the nine lives idea is a myth, there are lots of real cases of cats surviving situations that you wouldn’t expect them to.  

For example, a cat called Sebastian fell from a fourth-storey window in Birmingham. Vets initially gave him only a 10% chance of survival. He had to have pins and supports fitted for serious injuries, but made a full recovery.  

There’s also the story of Flearoy who plunged about 50 feet (15 metres) from a flat window in Manchester. He was badly injured but survived after intensive vet treatment.  

Tips for keeping your cat safe 

To keep all your cat’s nine lives intact, here are some everyday measures you can take to protect them at home: 

Peace of mind cat insurance 

Despite their amazing survival skills, cats obviously still sustain injuries and suffer health conditions just like any other animal. With Agria lifetime cat insurance, you know that you can get your cat the treatment they need for every one of their nine lives. 

More information 

For more information about cat’s behaviour, health and diet, read our range of guides and advice.