Feline balance is amazing. Cats are able to jump or fall from high places and land on all four feet. They can balance on precariously small surfaces (my cat can balance on the tiny sill where windows meet.) Cats play and wrestle and throw their bodies up into the air, contorting into unbelievable forms, only to land upon their four paws.
There are two body parts that are responsible for feline balance: the ears and the tail.
The more obvious balancer is the tail, which acts as a counterweight. When a cat’s body is falling in one direction, she can move her tails to straighten herself out and end up on her feet. Tails also helps cats keep their balance when on the ground. Have you ever seen your cat run through the house so fast she looks like she is leaning over? If not, imagine a running cheetah that makes a sudden turn. Cats can change direction so quickly because their tails act as a counterweight to their bodies.
Another essential part of a cat’s balancing act is their ears! Within the inner part of a cat’s ear is a tiny organ called the Vestibular Apparatus. This organ contains millions of minute hairs that are super sensitive to movement. The Vestibular Apparatus sends a message to the cat’s brain so fast the cat has time to move her body so that she will land on her feet. This organ also helps cats determine which direction is ‘up’ and which direction is ‘down’ when they are in a disorienting position (such as falling from a high perch.)
Cats are amazingly agile animals. A fun game that demonstrates your cat’s ability to land on her feet is to buy a cat teaser toy and flick it high in the air, causing your cat to jump and contort her body to catch the prey! You’ll see that no matter how your cat jumps, she will land on her feet.