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How Tall Are Cats Standing Up – Average Height & Facts

How Tall Are Cats Standing Up – Average Height &  Facts

If there’s one thing most cat owners share, it’s a love of finding out new things about their cats; especially with their appearance. Many owners notice one strange thing about their cats, especially cats that like to hunch and curl. It’s hard to tell how short or tall your cat is. So, how tall are cats standing up?

On average, most cats are about 8-10 inches tall at the shoulder and stand about a foot high on all four feet. On their hind legs, cats can be up to 2ft tall, but some of that extra height is because your cat is stretching when they stand on their hind feet.

Some cats are smaller or larger than the average, so you can’t know how tall your cat is for sure unless you measure them. Here’s what you need to know about your cat’s height and some more information about domesticated cat sizes in general.

Can Cats Stand On Two Legs

While it’s cute when cats stand on their hind legs, especially in photos from cat meetings or because they were frightened by a stray cucumber or zucchini, those photos do ask an important question: Can cats stand on two legs?

After all, bipedalism is one of the things that helped make humans human when we were evolving, so we tend to show particular interest in animals that can stand on two legs.

Unfortunately, cats can’t stand on two legs for very long without stressing their back and joints.

That’s because cats, like most quadrupeds, aren’t designed to hold all of their weight on two legs. Their pelvis and low backs aren’t designed to straighten out, so standing on two legs can be very difficult.

Most cats can stand on two legs for short bursts, but they shouldn’t hold the pose for very long. You also shouldn’t expect your cat to walk on two legs the way you would since walking puts even more strain on their muscles and joints.

It’s okay to train your cat to stand on two legs as a trick, but you shouldn’t expect them to do it very often.

How Tall Are Cats At The Shoulder

Cat height can be hard to measure. After all, cats usually aren’t that good at standing still when they’re told. Getting your cat’s height at the shoulder is a good way to estimate their size, which can help you plan nutritional needs or get the right size cat tree or bed, but it can be challenging to get a precise measurement.

That’s why using an average measurement can sometimes be helpful when it comes to cat height.

For most cat breeds, the average height at the shoulder is about 8-10 inches. Maine Coons and other larger or taller breeds, like Bengals, may be between 10-12 inches at the shoulder, though some individuals are shorter.

Teacup cats or miniature breeds are usually between 6-8 inches tall at the shoulder.

Of course, if your cat ever had to deal with malnutrition or is otherwise stunted, they may be even smaller than that.

If your cat is an unusual size, too small, or too large, either one, it’s a good idea to measure them precisely. If you can’t get a reliable measurement, your vet may help.

Average Cat Length With Their Tail

Length is slightly different from height and talks about how long your cat is from its nose to its tail. Cat length is a little more variable than height, though, with most cats averaging between 10- 14 inches long. However, some cats can be as much as 18 inches long or even a little longer, depending on their breed and body type.

But that’s without their tail. Cat tails are usually another 12-18 inches on top of their body length, and some cats’ tails can be 2ft long or longer.

That means that altogether, your cat might be about 3 ft long or much shorter. Cat tail length tends to vary a little more than their body length, and some breeds, like Maine Coon cats, have longer tail lengths than average.

Thankfully, measuring your cat’s tail length can often be easier than measuring the rest of them if you can get them to stand still!

Are Male Cats Bigger

Cat owners often think about the differences between female and male cats regarding their personality and medical needs. But what about size? Are male cats bigger than female cats?

Yes!

Most of the time, male cats are slightly larger than female cats, but the differences are pretty subtle. A male cat is usually 1-2 inches longer and 1-2 inches taller than a female cat of the same breed. However, there are some exceptions, and some female cats may be bigger than a small male, and some male cats may be much bigger than average and dwarf a female cat.

Why Do Cats Stand Up On Two Legs

Cats can stand up on two legs for a variety of reasons. Often, when a cat is standing on two legs, it’s because they want to see something that’s just a little taller than they are, or they’re trying to get a better perspective on something.

Cats aren’t usually standing to see further away since their long-distance eyesight isn’t very good.

Another common reason for cats to stand on two legs is because it’s one of their threat postures. If your cat is confronted by another cat and is angry about it or is seeing something they’ve never seen before, they might stand on two legs to try and look bigger and more intimidating.

Why Is My Adult Cat So Small

Not all cats get to be of average height. Some cats are just the runts of their litter and don’t ever catch up. Others might have mutations or health conditions that make them smaller than average for their breed.

There is often nothing wrong with a cat that’s smaller than average. But, since health conditions and malnutrition can both be to blame for a cat that doesn’t grow to reach its full size, it’s essential to take your cat to the vet if they’re much smaller than breed average. Your vet will be able to decide if there are any tests your cat needs and can help you give your cat any specialized care to keep them safe despite their size.

Which Cat Breeds Are The Tallest

Some cat breeds are known to be taller than others. Below is a list of the tallest domestic cat breeds:

  • Maine Coon
  • Savannah
  • Norwegian Forest Cat
  • Chausie
  • Bengal
  • Ragdoll
  • Ragamuffin
  • Persian

In addition to these cats being the tallest compared to other breeds, they are also some of the largest in general. Most weigh 2 – 3 times the of an average cat.

Things To Consider

Domesticated cats of all sizes are lovable and great companion animals, but it’s essential to consider their size. Cats like having toys and beds and other objects that suit their size. For instance, a very large Maine Coon cat might be more comfortable in a small dog bed instead of a cat bed, or you might want to order an XL cat tree instead of the standard size.

That’s because cats like small spaces, but not too small. Giving them toys that fit well and feel comfortable is essential.

The same is true for small cats. A larger space might seem like a good thing, but many cats prefer to have a space closer to their size, so you should plan to match your cat’s adult size in their toys and accessories.

Size can also be impacted by nutrition, which is another reason that you should have high-quality and high-protein food sources available for your cat, especially when they are kittens. If your kitten isn’t gaining weight or growing the way they should be, it’s time to see a vet. At the vet, let them know your concerns about their growth and see if supplements or other food types might help them grow.