Do Cats Really Have Nine Lives?

Many friends of felines have claimed that our feline furry companions have nine lives. There have been instances where a cat has fallen from a very high place and survived. Many cat lovers would say that the feline just used up one of its nine lives. It seems we hear about cats and their nine lives all the time. I, having the pleasure to live with two cats, am curious about the old adage, cats have nine lives. Could this really be true?

Cat's Landing on Their Feet

Like I said earlier, we hear about cats falling from high places, like 32 stories, and scurrying off after the fall, with eight more lives to spare. Well, they may not have used up a life after all. We all know that cats have extraordinary balance. My inquisitive cats will climb just about anywhere and look incredibly graceful as they maneuver around, never faltering. In addition to this great balance, cats also have what has been referred to as a "righting reflex". Basically, a cat's inner ear can detect their orientation and let the cat know that it needs to get right side up again. So, if a cat falls it will wiggle around for a few feet to get in position to land on its feet. Cats can also reduce the speed of their fall by spreading their legs apart, making somewhat of a furry parachute. So this somewhat explains how cats can get away with falling from high places. Please don't check this for yourself with your cat!!!!!!

Cats also have great senses and are very fast. They have incredibly sharp claws and fast reflexes, making it easier for them to fight off prey.

Even though there are stories of cats surviving against incredible odds, there are sad tales about cats that are not so fortunate. So, they have either used up all of their lives; or, more correctly, the saying is just an old fable.

So Where Did the Saying Come From?

I've done some feline research and have learned that in some religions the number nine is a very lucky number. A lot of people would consider cats lucky; I mean they can survive huge falls that a human could never survive. If people didn't know how it was that a cat can survive a fall, they may chalk it all to luck. Cat's being lucky could eventually become associated with the lucky number nine, and before you know it, cats have nine lives.