Cats can twist and contort in ways that defy logic. They have a reputation for squeezing into impossibly small spaces and melting into containers as if they were liquids. But is there a scientific basis for this feline fluidity? Scientists say yes!
How Can Cats Act Like Liquids?
Two studies have concluded that cats behave similarly to liquids, and the key lies in their unique biology. Unlike humans, cats have free-floating collarbones, which allows them to move with incredible flexibility. The saying “if a cat can get its head through a space, the rest of its body can follow” is a testament to this, as they can flatten and elongate their bodies to slip through seemingly impossible openings.
This phenomenon has even been studied by scientists:
- Marc-Antoine Fardin, a French physicist, conducted a study titled On the Rheology of Cats. The study, which won him an Ig Nobel Prize, concluded that cats behave strikingly like liquids. The next time your cat curls up in a box or loafs on a couch, notice how they fill the space, just like a liquid being poured into a container.
- In the study, Cats are (almost) liquid!, researcher Péter Pongrácz designed an experiment where cats were encouraged to pass through cardboard cutouts of progressively smaller sizes. He found that they easily slipped through gaps as narrow as half their body width, but cats hesitated when faced with low-clearance openings. This suggests that cats are highly confident in their lateral flexibility but are more cautious when vertical space is restricted.
So, Are Cats Literally Liquid?
No, cats are not literally liquids. They are living, breathing mammals, not water or any other fluid. However, their unique body structure, including those small, free-floating collarbones, allows them to contort in ways that mimic liquid behavior. This makes them masters of escape and a source of countless adorable and gravity-defying photos and videos!
How Does Cascade Kennels Keep Your “Liquid” Cat Contained?
Given this research, we at Cascade Kennels have taken extra precautions to ensure that all our boarding facilities are adequately equipped to keep your feline friends safe and secure, whether they are liquid, solid, or somewhere in between!
Some of the features your “liquid” cat might enjoy at our cat boarding facility include:
- Multi-level cat condos designed for climbing, lounging, and full body stretching.
- Built-in box-like structures for them to fill and adapt their shape to, as inspired by Fardin’s research.
Whether your cat prefers to puddle in a sunbeam or stretch like a feline waterfall, our condos are built to accommodate their unique flow state. Book their stay today!
