How fast can cats run?

A domestic cat is able to reach speeds of 30 miles per hour, but they can only sustain this speed for short distances. Part of the reason they are good sprinters is because they spend a great deal of time sleeping, which rests their bodies and saves energy until needed.

House cats are also built to run fast. At top speeds, a cat's back legs work as a single unit, as do their front legs. When running, cats' backs arch so much that their back legs reach beyond their front legs. This motion causes a cat to become airborne in between each stride. However, they cannot do this for longer than a minute, as their body overheats.