# Why do cats have nine lives?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-have-nine-lives/110207>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 22, 2002, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-have-nine-lives/110207 "2002-05-22T00:44:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![robinc308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@robinc308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robinc308)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-have-nine-lives/110207/1 "2002-05-22T00:44:00Z")

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I was wondering, why do we say that a cat has nine lives? Why nine? Why not 8 or 10? I have always assumed that the reason for a cat having many lives is that they always seem to get themselves into and out of trouble, but why nine?

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**Author:** ![leechbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@leechbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leechbabe)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-have-nine-lives/110207/2 "2002-05-22T02:01:02Z")

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I assume it is because cats can fall from great heights and not get hurt. That and their amazing flexibility and balance.

That’s a start, I am now going to spend my day googling to find out. Better than actual work 🙂 Ta.

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**Author:** ![leechbabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@leechbabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leechbabe)\
**Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cats-have-nine-lives/110207/3 "2002-05-22T02:31:30Z")

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Ok having searched the Straight Dope Archives and come up with nix, I then googled (btw they have a cool dilbert cartoon on their page today).

Results:

[Why Cats Have Nine Lives](http://family.go.com/pets/cats/expert/dony99petvetcat9lives/dony99petvetcat9lives.html) by Peter Kross – Veterinarian. Upon reading the article it becomes obvious that this guy is no Cecil and its all anecdotal info.

Another site by [Purina Cat Chow](http://www.kitten.com) had the Featured Tip: Cat urine glows in the dark. Turn out the light, use a black light and see for yourself!. WTF and who really needs to know that anyway.

Any they despite their silly tips they had the answer, look [here](http://www.kitten.com/search_mentor.asp?combinedID=21791&TidyCats) for the full story.

> [@](#):
>
> The origin of this quote comes from an English and American proverb that says “A cat has nine lives. For 3 he plays, for 3 he strays and for the last 3 he stays.”

So it seems the “so called” expert advice from the vet was all wrong.

Now I have to go back to work ☹