How Many Bones Are There in a Cat?
Cats have a total of 244 bones in their bodies. This is significantly fewer than the 206 bones that humans have. The difference is due to cats having more flexible spines, which allows them to move more easily and quickly.
Cat Skeleton
The cat skeleton consists of the skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum, and hyoid apparatus. The skull contains the braincase, facial bones, and teeth. The vertebral column is made up of 33 vertebrae, including seven cervical (neck) vertebrae, 13 thoracic (chest) vertebrae, seven lumbar (lower back) vertebrae, three sacral (pelvic) vertebrae, and one coccygeal (tailbone). The ribs are attached to the thoracic vertebrae and form the chest cavity. The sternum is located at the front of the chest cavity and provides protection for the heart and lungs. Finally, the hyoid apparatus is a set of small bones located in the throat that support the tongue.