Last updated: May 17, 2023 crystal with
Whether cats or dogs are faster depends a lot on the breed you’re talking about. However, dogs generally have an advantage over cats, as many of them are bred to specialize in hunting and athleticism.
To get the most accurate answer, we measured the fastest cat breeds and the fastest dog breeds, and yes dogs are faster than cats. But still cats can surpass dogs. So obviously there’s more to our answer, but let’s take a look at the candidates.
fastest cat and dog breeds
The fastest domestic cat is the Egyptian Mau. Cats have a top speed of 30 miles per hour (mph) and are called cat greyhounds. This fact suggests that they are the fastest dogs. Yes, it’s a greyhound. Top speed is 45 mph. But the fastest animals on land are actually cats.1 A cheetah can accelerate from a standing position to 60 miles per hour in an astounding 3 seconds, with a top speed of 125 miles per hour.
To give you a better idea of how fast all these animals are relative to each other, I’ve listed the top speeds of other animals (and humans) for your reference.
animal | top speed |
Peregrine Falcon (fastest bird) | 342 mph |
cheetah (fastest animal on land) | 75 mph |
Bashofish (fastest fish) | 108 mph |
greyhound (fastest domesticated dog) | 45 mph |
Egyptian Mau (fastest domestic cat) | 30 mph |
Usain Bolt (Fastest Man) | 47.5 mph |
Cheetahs and greyhounds run so fast that rotary gallopThat is, when the foot hits the ground, it forms a circular pattern. By rotating its hips and wagging its tail, it can make sharp turns while maintaining balance even at high speeds.
Cheetahs are a different genus and species than domestic cats, so the fastest throne of these two remains the greyhound.
Can a cat outrun a dog?
This may seem like an odd question, even though I just said dogs are faster. However, while cats are excellent sprinters, dogs are excellent endurance runners.This means that cats can transition from rest to running much faster than dogs.
It also means that cats get tired faster than dogs and can’t keep up over long distances. Canids have a higher top speed, but felines are more maneuverable and can change direction faster.
If dogs are faster, how can cats outrun dogs?
Cats are lean, but when it comes to running, being lean and agile is a great combination. About 30% of a cat’s body weight is made up of skeletal muscle, compared to 50% in humans and 65% in dogs. That means cats carry less luggage and need less energy to move quickly.
Also, cats don’t have as much fat as dogs, and muscles aren’t built for endurance.Dogs have larger leg muscles and contain more muscle mitochondriaThis means your cells are more efficient at converting fat into energy when you exercise.
Cats are better at catching small prey than dogs because they can control their speed and are more flexible. We also see that the size of an animal’s heart makes a big difference in speed. Larger animals perform better in high-intensity activities such as long runs.
final thoughts
As far as domestic cats go, cats aren’t as fast as dogs. Looking at all the feline nominees, felines take the crown thanks to the cheetah, which can reach speeds of up to 125 mph. When it comes to domesticated dogs and cats, dogs win the race thanks to greyhounds that can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
Featured image credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
About the author
Ivy’s mom cat is a lively little rescue kitten who is her only child. At this point! Throughout her life, she has known the special love found in the bond she has with her cat. Having owned multiple cats, she is convinced that their love is unmatched, unconditional, and unlike any other animal. With a passion for educating the public about everything from cat biology, behavior and unique personalities, Krystal encourages all cats and their owners to live and love consciously. I am dedicated to making people aware of the importance of