DALLAS, TEXAS – A rescue cat named Oscar has soared into the record books with an astonishing horizontal leap measuring 8 feet 5 inches (2.58 meters), earning the title for the longest jump by a cat.
Oscar, a seven-year-old feline from Dallas, achieved the feat under the dedicated training of his owner, Theodore Shiells.
“Oscar is a very smart cat and enjoys learning tricks like sit, beg, and fetch,” said Shiells. “About two years ago, he started jumping—horizontally—and has loved it ever since.”
The journey began with small leaps of just a few inches. Over time, Oscar advanced to jumping through hoops and eventually tackling greater distances. At first, Shiells had no intention of setting a world record.
Oscar’s story is also one of survival. He was found injured and scavenging for food, with only a 50% chance of recovery due to heartworm disease. But with medical care and a loving home, he made a strong recovery.
“He proved as tough as he is handsome,” said Shiells. “He even survived a fall from a second-story window, which seemed to spark his love for being in the air. That experience also taught him something important—horizontal jumps are safer than vertical ones.”
Recognizing Oscar’s unique ability, Shiells began training him more seriously, using treats to encourage gradual progress.
Eventually, Oscar became so enthusiastic about jumping that he would meow and hop onto Shiells’ lap to request practice sessions.
“It wasn’t until he was clearing about five feet that we thought to check if there was a world record,” said Shiells. “When we found out it was 2.3 meters (about 7.5 feet), we first thought it would be impossible to beat.”
But Oscar did it—leaping 2.58 meters and securing his place in history.
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