How High Can Kittens Jump – 6 Factors To Know!

Bringing home a new kitten is an exciting and fun time for a lot of pet owners. There’s just one problem. Many cat owners aren’t prepared for how excitable and curious a new kitten can be. Add into that not knowing what to expect your kitten to be able to do when you first bring them home, and you have a recipe for trouble.

So, if you’re preparing to bring a kitten home, you should know how high kittens can jump and other details about their physical abilities. So, how high can kittens jump?

Most kittens can jump about 1ft when you bring them home. A kittens jumping height and distance will rapidly increase. Factors such as age, breed, weight, and vision can affect your kittens jumping ability.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re preparing to bring your little furry ball of energy home soon.

Factors That Affect How High Your Kitten Can Jump

These are some of the factors that play into how far your kitten can jump and some of their other physical abilities as well. Remember that your kitten’s abilities will grow and change with them, so you should prepare for your kitten to develop new abilities every day.

Your Kitten’s Age

Your kitten’s age can tell you a lot about their development. While most kittens start getting a little more independent and start exploring at only a couple of weeks old, their bodies aren’t fully developed for a year or more. So the older your cat gets, the better their jumping running, and climbing skills will all be.

The Breed Of Your Kitten

Some kinds of cat are more athletic or have more physical skills than other. For instance, Bengal cats are well known for being highly energetic and athletic animals that need a lot of exercise and can jump well. On the other hand, Munchin cats have shorter legs and aren’t quite as physically active, so they aren’t able to jump as far.

Your Kittens Weight

Your kitten’s weight also matters for how far they’re able to travel in a jump. It’s common for weight fluctuations as a kitten to change your cat’s jumping ability. When they’re a little heavier right before a growth spurt, for instance, they may not be able to jump quite as far as when they’re a little skinnier.

Their Leg Length

As your kitten’s legs get longer, their jumping ability will improve a lot. That means that when your kitten is in that teenage leggy period, they will probably be able to jump and run well, assuming their tendons and ligaments can keep up with their growth. But while your kitten is still in a stubby-legged phase, they won’t be able to jump as easily or as far.

How Brave Your Kitten Is

Your kitten may also be limited by factors other than its physical size and ability when it comes to jumping. If your kitten is more naturally cautious, they may be less likely to jump and more likely to climb, for instance. But a brave kitten might try to take on heights they aren’t quite ready for, no matter their development.

How Far Your Kitten Can See

Sight is incredibly important for cats when it comes to jumping, and your kitten is no different. A kitten wants to see where they will land before they jump, and not jumping very much can sometimes be a sign that your kitten can’t see very well.

Don’t worry too much at first; unless there are other signs that your kitten can’t see, it might just be that they are very cautious.

Can An 8-Week-Old Kitten Jump?

At 8 weeks old most kittens can jump pretty well for their size. The most athletic kittens can probably jump about a foot at this age, while smaller or less athletic breeds might only manage half-foot jumps.

A good rule of thumb is that most 8-week-old kittens can safely jump up to 2-3 times their body length.

Cat owners beware; safety isn’t always essential to your kitten. The most daring kittens might well decide to jump farther than they can reach safely.

How High Can A 12-Week-Old Kitten Jump

At 12 weeks, many kittens are starting to get their more adult bodies and learn how to move more effectively. That means that their jumping abilities can increase rapidly from about 10-14 weeks old.

This can be an exciting time in your kitten’s life, and you should expect them to be able to jump about 2-4 times their body length forward. For height, some 12-week-old kittens can only jump about a foot high, while others have figured out how to get more height and can jump 3-4 feet high with ease.

The height your cat can jump probably also depends on how high you’ve been asking them to jump. For instance, if your kitten is learning how to get on and off of a tall bed, they’ll probably learn to jump faster.

Can A Kitten Jump From High Places

It’s hard to answer this question without knowing the kitten’s age and how high we’re talking. Kittens are pretty tough and can often handle accidental high jumps and tumbles without any real problem. However, the younger your kitten is, the harder it will be for them to land gracefully, leading to some severe injuries.

For most kittens, you can assume that they are safe to jump from about 1ft in height for every month they are old, up until their six months old. After that, it depends on your cat’s breed, weight, and comfort level.

Heavier or less athletic kittens should generally stick closer to the ground than their leaner or very athletic friends. That’s because the extra weight can be hard on their growing joints, especially when jumping or falling from a high place.

Why Is My Kitten Not Jumping

A kitten that isn’t jumping isn’t always a reason for concern, but it can be.

First, consider whether your kitten has many opportunities or reasons to jump. If all of their toys are on the floor and you pick them up as soon as they ask, your kitten might not see a reason to start jumping yet.

If your kitten is a Munchin cat or a different short-legged breed, they might not be jumping because it’s not the best way for them to move or navigate a space.

But, not jumping can also be a sign that your kitten can’t see very far, is struggling to judge distances, or that they are dealing with some anxiety about jumping. All those things can be a good reason to take your kitten to the vet and see if there are any ways to help their development.

Things To Consider

It’s important to remember that all kittens learn and develop at different rates. Just because your kitten is hitting certain size milestones doesn’t mean that behavior is sure to follow. Some kittens may also prefer to be on the ground without needing any reason.

That being said, not jumping, jumping too much, or not seeming to judge heights well can all be good reasons to take your kitten to the vet for a checkup.