I’ve spoken about just how high house cats can jump in an article before. Spoiler alert: It’s really stinkin’ high, and if you compare a cat’s jump ability to a human’s, it puts into perspective just how athletic our little domestic kitties are.
But how about their running ability? Yes, cats certainly may be some of the most lazy creatures you could ever lay your eyes on, but have you ever seen even the laziest house cat run? Like lightening! Speed is certainly one of a cat’s abilities I envy most. Imagine being able to run like a feline for just one sprint!
How fast exactly do domestic cats run? And how do they compare to human speed? Can they run faster than the fastest human on earth? And what about dogs – can cats outrun them? These questions are exactly what I’ll be answering today.
Facts About Cats’ Running Speed
How Fast Can House Cats Run?
Hitting top speeds, the fastest house cats can run up to 30 mph. That’s approximately 47 km/hr.
In case you’re wondering how fast that feels:
- It’s double the maximum speed limit you’re usually allowed to drive in a parking lot (15 mph / 24 kph).
- It’s about as fast as the maximum speed limit on the average country road (30 mph / 50 km/hr).
So that means the average house cat can outrun any car driving at the speed limit in a parking lot, and for a short time, can almost keep up with a car driving at the maximum speed limit on a country road. Pretty impressive!
Does the maximum speed a house cat can run depend on breed?
Yes. As with most biology facts about cats – breed definitely plays a part in how fast a cat can run as well.
Dr. Becker mentions that the 9 fastest breeds of house cat are also the 9 most athletic and energetic in general. These breeds include: Egyptian Maus, Abyssinians, Somalis, Bengals, Savannahs, Manxs, Siamese cats, Ocicats, & Orientals.
Cat Speed VS Human Speed
Are house cats faster than humans?
In case you were wondering about averages: yes, certainly the average house cat is faster and can outrun the average human. What’s more interesting however is how quick house cats compare to Usain Bolt – the record breaker for the spot of the fastest man on Earth…
Are house cats faster than Usain Bolt (the world’s fastest human to date)?
Usain Bolt, the fastest human to date, hit the current world record back in August 16, 2009 during the World Championships in Berlin. His record high speed was 27.8 mph (44.72 km/h). His average speed over the course of this 100 m race was 23.35 mph (37.58 km/h).
What’s that mean? At his top speed Usain Bolt hit nearly the same top speed as a house cat.
Could super fast house cats outrun Usain Bolt at a 100 m sprint? Probably, but the fact that Usain Bolt would come in pretty close – a ridiculous feat considering how agile domestic cats are.
Cat Speed VS Dog Speed
Are cats or dogs faster?
You’ve probably guessed this yourself, but it really depends on the breed of cat or dog you’re talking about!
Greyhound dogs, with their long legs, can hit speeds of up to a whopping 43 miles per hour (69 km/hr)! So yes, they certainly do outrun all house cats, even the most athletic ones.
At the other end of the spectrum, you have small stout dogs like the English Bulldog, which only hit around 15 mph (24 kph). Needless to say, your average house cat can definitely outrun these dogs.
If you want to throw all cats into the mix, and aren’t just talking about the house cat variety – the fastest cat (an animal!) on earth is the cheetah, while the fastest dog is the greyhound. Cheetahs can hit speeds up to 75 mph (120 km/hr), while greyhounds, as previously stated, can hit around 43 mph (69 kph). That 43 mph is no small feat, but it’s still no contest when compared to the top speed of the #1 fastest animal on earth, the cheetah.
Of course, it’s not like you can have a cheetah living in your home, so talking purely about domesticated animals – yup, the fastest domesticated dog breeds can certainly beat any ol’ house cat.
Your Thoughts on Cat Running Speeds?
Ever been impressed by how fast the average house cat can run? They sure do pack a huge punch for speed considering their overall laziness, don’t they?
Ever wondered whether a house cat could outrun a dog? Do you feel it’s fair to include cheetahs in the mix when you’re talking about cat vs dog speed? Do you feel it’s more fair to consider averages for only domesticated breeds?
How awesome do you think it’d feel to be able to run as fast as a house cat for just one sprint? I’d certainly love to feel that sensation – my own legs being able to carry me that fast! I guess only Usain Bolt and a handful of other crazy fast Olympic sprint runners will ever come close to knowing how that feels firsthand!
For another perspective on how fast cats are compared to humans, consider a four minute mile. That’s no longer the amazing feat it once was but even today, you’ve got to be in good shape to run that fast: 15 miles per hour.
So, cats probably run twice as fast as people.
Great point, Jimmy!
We have urban coyotes roaming around our neighborhood occasionally. I don’t find this to be a problem, but the neighbors are all having hissy fits about it. One neighbor recently posted a stat saying that a coyote can run at speeds up to 50 MPH. I had previously wondered about whether my cat could outrun a coyote. Guess not. (However, my little furry friend sure can sprint up that oak tree like lightning!) Nevertheless, I wondered about whether that 50 MPH stat for coyotes was really true. Do you know the answer?
Supposedly coyotes can run up to 43 miles per hour (according to this website), but I see where your neighbours are coming from even if a cat can *technically* outrun a coyote (which is unlikely) – all it takes is a cat to be cornered, back to the wall, with no means of escape, and there’s no hope for a domestic cat in a face off like that, sadly 🙁
I raced what I think was a border collie on a bicycle (me not the dog), and got to 27 mph and it kept up for around half a minute. When the road started sloping up a bit it was a wash as me and the dog were slowing at the same rate. The dog seemed to have a weird running style where the back end was almost on the ground. So it seems the top speed is around 27 mph. I’d be surprised if a cat could run faster than that (though I’m surprised how fast our old cat could climb a tree trunk), although I once opened a door in my parent’s built in studio room and it was barely open 6″ when this ginger blur of a wild cat came flying out making a hissing sound.
That is really fast. I don’t think a cat could’ve kept up for that long even if he or she could sprint out for a few seconds a little faster. 27 mph – dang.
Disagree that the average dog can outrun the average housecat. Not sure that is explained. Otherwise a great article.
I didn’t say the average dog could outrun the average cat, only that it depends on the breeds of dog you’re comparing to the average house cat. I don’t think it’s fair to group fast and slow dogs together, but certainly cats can outrun the average small dog.
Nice article but the greyhound is NOT the second fastest land animal. Heck I don’t think it makes the top 10.
Various anitlopes are quicker. Ostriches are quicker and race horses can go faster too.
I guess my source (Popular Science) is wrong then? Going to edit out that part of the article just in case. Don’t want to be spreading misinformation if I can help it.
What about endurance. If an English bull dog is running 15mph could it beat the cat running 30 mph in like a 1km run? Or do cats also have a higher endurance
I feel like for endurance, the English bull dog would win. I don’t think cats have a higher endurance.
Well something running its top speed is bound to tire out sooner than something running only half its top speed/
Absolutely
Or open a can of tuna. Mine has to come look every time she hears the can opener. Then she’s at my feet crying the whole time I’m draining it. BTW I get it packed in water so it’s fine for an occasional treat.
Oh such a good point! Avery goes crazy over tuna as well, and we get it in water so he’ll have a bit of it whenever we have tuna salad for lunch. His favourite by far!
Don’t drain the water! They love that best!
Dang, it seems like Brother Simon goes faster than that at times!
Oh my! He must be on the high end of the speed spectrum!
Rustle a bag in the kitchen, and a cat is bound to be at your feet begging, having run from the farthest reaches of the house in milliseconds!
Haha so very true!