This is related to an earlier question I had. I've taken my 10 year old cat out onto the balcony with me this evening and she keeps trying to put her head in between the poles and has gotten onto the roof of an adjacent window that's next to my balcony (when I wasn't looking for a minute). I let her back inside. Won't she get hurt if she falls from the second story?
2006-06-22 16:13:54 · 21 answers · asked by Sara 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
If she falls, she will get hurt. She probably won't fall, but she might if she misjudges something or gets startled while she is in a precarious position. It sounds like she can get away from you while she is outside, and if that happens, she will likely get scared and run, which means she might get lost. I'd keep her indoors if she seems like she's going to want to explore.
2006-06-22 16:16:15 · answer #1 · answered by cucumberlarry1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, it's not safe. I've known three cats to fall (two off of a 2nd floor balcony and one out of a 2nd floor window). While they usually seem okay after the fall, it's still not safe because with any cat falling that far, there is a risk for sprains/bone breaks/fractures/internal injury, especially with an older cat like yours who might not be as agile. Better just to play it safe and keep him off the balcony. If you really want to have her out there, but she sneaks between the poles, then try getting some "chicken wire" at a home improvement store to go around the balcony so that she can't get through the poles anymore. Keep an eye to make sure she doesn't jump, as well.
2006-06-22 16:20:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my God! I hope you haven't given the cat aspirin. DO NOT give cats any human medications ever unless directly told by your veterinarian!!!!! They do not process it and it can easily kill them. Also, just because the cat's leg isn't flopping around doesn't mean it's not broken. It could very well have a closed fracture. I hope that you've already found an emergency vet and gotten the poor thing some help.
2016-05-20 12:43:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have two cats. One just sits on the balcony, the other tries to get down. (Also on second floor.) I know from experience the cat will survive if it falls, but still don't like to let that cat out there anymore for fear she may break a leg or something eventually.
2006-06-22 16:18:55 · answer #4 · answered by N8ball88 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like she's going to get hurt eventually. I used to let my cat out on the 3rd floor balcony but she was a chicken and would only look outside. The girl next door had a brave cat who would walk on the cement edge of the porch (it was about 1/2 foot wide) but mine would never do that. Your cat does not sound like she understands the danger.
2006-06-22 16:17:50 · answer #5 · answered by marie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably not. The phrase "cats always land on their feet" exists for a reason. When a cat falls, they have the instinct and ability to turn themselves so that they land feet first. They are able to lessen the impact from the fall, absorbing the shock through their whole body, not just their legs. The farther they fall, the better chance they have of turning themselves around to land on their feet. How else do you think wild cats get down out of trees?
2006-06-22 16:26:49 · answer #6 · answered by welches_grape_jelly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
generally cats will land on their feet when they fall b/c they have this ridiculous ability to roll their bodies back around and come down feet first. however, at 10 years old I would be worried about your cat's flexibility being as good as it was several years ago. our cat jumped from our second story balcony when she was 1. she was shaken up, but not injured in the least. it would concern me if a cat that was 10 years old did that.
2006-06-22 16:19:33 · answer #7 · answered by heterophobicgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats (especially mature cats like your's) are pretty smart and it would take a lot for them to fall off of a 2-story balcony. It doesn't look to me like you're concerned with her jumping off and you shouldn't be. She's old and she knows she's not as young as she used to be (sighs). But you shouldn't worry, it takes a very, VERY long fall for a cat to hurt itself. And I mean a VERY long jump. But I let my cats out on our roof all the time and they just climb down the tree and go play!! :-)
2006-06-22 17:50:06 · answer #8 · answered by muldergirls1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you're not worried that the cat will throw you off the balcony, you can breathe easy.
Cats have a built in balance, and even in the most precarious places, can look perfectly at ease.
Does she look suicidal?
2006-06-22 16:16:45 · answer #9 · answered by Stuart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From a second story, a cat will probably not get hurt as it knows how to land properly. Any higher, and maybe...Cats are more agile than people and do not willingly fall.
2006-06-22 16:18:17 · answer #10 · answered by Pandak 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way, cats have special pads on their paws that keep them from getting hurt from something like that.
I have personally seen cats fall from the fifth floor, thats right fifth, and just walk away (even though they looked a bit shaken)
2006-06-22 16:16:29 · answer #11 · answered by Ilya 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋