Who is stronger, a cat or a rat? - briefly
A cat possesses considerably more muscle mass and a stronger bite than a rat, giving it superior raw strength. Rats depend on agility and speed rather than brute force.
Who is stronger, a cat or a rat? - in detail
A domestic cat typically weighs 3–5 kg and possesses a muscular skeleton designed for rapid acceleration and powerful limb movements. Bite force measurements for average felines range from 20–30 psi, sufficient to break bone. Muscular cross‑sectional area enables a cat to lift objects up to twice its body weight and to subdue prey larger than a rat with a single swipe.
A common brown rat averages 0.3–0.5 kg. Bite force is approximately 5–7 psi, adequate for gnawing through soft materials but insufficient to inflict serious injury on a cat. Muscle mass is proportionally high for its size, granting the rat notable agility and the ability to pull loads up to its own weight, but absolute force remains far lower than that of a feline.
When strength is evaluated relative to body mass, rats display a higher power‑to‑weight ratio, allowing them to navigate tight spaces and escape predators. However, absolute strength—force exerted, lifting capacity, and bite pressure—is dominated by the cat, whose larger muscles generate considerably greater raw power.
Functional outcomes reflect this disparity: a cat can immobilize or kill a rat with minimal effort, whereas a rat lacks the physical capacity to damage a cat seriously. The cat’s anatomical adaptations for predation ensure superior strength in direct confrontations.