Have you ever heard of a racing cat? While racehorses are quite common, the idea of a cat competing in races may seem unusual. But that’s exactly what Rackarkatten, a fluffy Siberian cat living in Sweden, loves to do. She races her owner and, impressively, always wins. Not once has she lost a race.
Rackarkatten’s unique talent was discovered at her family’s country house, where she and her owner, Magnus, often took short walks. It wasn’t long before she began sprinting toward the door on the way back, revealing her love for running. “We lived in an apartment in the city, but we would spend the weekends in our country house,” Magnus explained to The Dodo. “It was a perfect way for her to burn energy. The first time we did a race, she was a bit surprised by how serious I was about it, but she loved it.”
Although Rackarkatten enjoys typical cat activities like eating, sleeping, and cuddling, her real passion is the outdoors. The freedom of the backyard and nearby forest opened up a world of adventure for her. Whether it’s winter with snow on the ground or summer with lush grass, Rackarkatten doesn’t mind—she races in any season. To help her with grip during the snowy winters, Magnus keeps her claws a bit longer. “I think she likes the grip she gets,” Magnus said. “She’ll dive into the snow and jump around. But she prefers summer. In the summer, she can run through the forest, across fields, or on the country road.”
When it’s time to race, Rackarkatten gets visibly excited as she nears the starting line. According to her Instagram, where she has over 60,000 followers, she boasts, “I never give my human a chance to win.” The fastest she’s ever run is 60 meters in 5.8 seconds, showing just how competitive she is. Winning isn’t just a hobby for Rackarkatten—it’s her specialty.
Now 14 years old, Rackarkatten moved to the country house full-time when she was 7. She spends most of her time outside, exploring every nook and cranny of the forest. Magnus shared, “She loves climbing big boulders and exploring. She always looks so happy outside.” This contentment makes sense, as Siberian cats are often referred to as “forest cats.” Their long, thick fur, which grows denser in the winter and thins out in the summer, is perfectly adapted to outdoor life, as noted by Purina. These cats are known for being social, smart, and independent when needed. They are also incredibly agile despite their large size, able to leap great distances to reach what they want.
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Magnus reflects on how much Rackarkatten has taught him, not just about life with a pet but also about living in the moment. “I’m so grateful to have her in my life. She’s so much fun and such a good friend. She’s taught me to slow down and spend more time at home. She taught me that it’s amazing to just sit and enjoy the forest.”
Rackarkatten’s zest for life and natural racing ability make her a one-of-a-kind cat. Her adventures show that, even for a cat, life can be a race—and a fun one at that.
