I have hear stories about cats jumping off balconies to try and catch birds and other things and I am worried my cat might try the same. On the other hand, he never gets to go outside and there are very high (about 4.5 feet) solid walls that run around the balcony. I am sure he can jump up there, but would he jump off?
2007-02-11 06:05:29 · 16 answers · asked by mellow_man_ny 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
No you should not. Once you let your cat outside on the balcony, then you can't go back. Keep your cat inside where it is safe. Keeping your cat an "indoor cat" will insure a healthy happy cat for a very long time.
Cats don't have to be outside to be happy and healthy.
2007-02-11 06:14:22 · answer #1 · answered by Pixie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had such a balcony at one time - the living room was built over the garage so there was quite a distance from the balcony ledge to the cement driveway below. I never let my cats out there and they were outside cats then and always went out the back of the house. Neighbors with the same kind of balcony had two cats that always sat outside on the balcony ledge and they were never hurt from a fall.
So it is a risk. Your cat could easily jump up on the ledge without a problem and a wide ledge might be OK. A fall from the third floor would be quite a fall. Cats can survive a fall if there is time to right themselves before hitting the ground - they can also break jaws from the impact of the fall and maybe give their innards too hard a jolt.
There is something called "high-rise syndrome" which has been investigated by vets in large cities with lots of apartment buildings. The cats apparently can survive a higher fall as they can right themselves before landing - a shorter fall can be more damaging or fatal because the cat doesn't manage to land on all fours.
2007-02-11 07:22:22 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a different litter than the one you have been using. Look for one with baking soda or an ammonia blocker. There are quite a few options available as far as litter, boxes, deodorizing powders. But make sure the problem is the box and not the cats-- are they fixed? If not, they could be spraying, which will leave a nasty smell too. You have to have another option besides leaving the box on the balcony. When the weather is bad, you need to be able to shut the door, and cats don't typically like being out in bad weather anyway. So try a few different things, and see what works best and that your cats like. (By the way, I recommend Arm and Hammer litter, at least one litter box per cat, and daily scooping. Also, A&H makes an excellent litter box deodorizer powder that you sprinkle on after cleaning and mix in.) Good luck, I hope you find something that takes care of the issue for you!
2016-03-22 21:04:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Should I let my cat out on my balcony? I live on the third floor.?
I have hear stories about cats jumping off balconies to try and catch birds and other things and I am worried my cat might try the same. On the other hand, he never gets to go outside and there are very high (about 4.5 feet) solid walls that run around the balcony. I am sure he can jump up there,...
2015-08-07 15:57:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be wonderful to allow your cat to go outside on your balcony, but I think you should supervise her. Yes, many cats have jumped off a terrace or out a window, but many also just go out there, find a sunny spot and curl up for a nice nap. Watch your cat's behavior out there and see. If you are truly concerned, consider installing screening between the top of the wall and the top of the balcony. If nothing else, you would have a nice, insect free balcony in the summer time! Good luck.
2007-02-11 06:50:53 · answer #5 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would let him go out on the balcony, but you should go out with him and watch him.
I was had a cat jump from an 8th story balcony and lived. Only because he landed in shrubs below. After that he never went outside again by himself. I was lucky.
My brother had a cat jump from a balcony, not as high and splattered on cement. she was chasing a bird.
They definitely will jump not thinking about it, but chasing a bird or something. It's is not true that they will always land on their feet and cement will kill them even if they do.
Let him out. I'm sure he'll enjoy the outdoors. Just keep a good eye on him.
2007-02-11 17:02:32 · answer #6 · answered by Karen H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the 3rd floor, but my cat used to jump off of my 2nd floor balcony. I never actually saw him do it so I don't know how it happened. I am lucky he never broke anything and I finally had to stop letting him out there.
2007-02-15 03:13:59 · answer #7 · answered by Silly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh you too! My cat loved to sit out on the balcony, then found she could walk the 1 inch wide railing. Tried for a ledge 3ft away & missed. Fortunately, it was on the grass & only second floor. After that, we attached that shading mesh leaving no escape spaces. YES, they will jump
2007-02-11 06:15:41 · answer #8 · answered by Memeiko 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't do this. Theirs no need for your cat to be outside period. Indoor cats are proving to live longer lives. My neighbor also on the third floor did this and both cats fell one day and I saved one but the other took off never to be found. Bad idea.
2007-02-11 06:37:51 · answer #9 · answered by fine p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on whether he can jump down or get into situations by climbing on ledges. Because they will do crazy stunts. I say try it first by keeping an eye on him. Put some potted plants out there for his pleasure. My kitties love to go on the balcony when it's sunny and the rays warm up their fur. Oh, and put a bell on his collar if you don't want him pouncing on birds.
By they way, girl, are you naked in the picture?? Oh, my God!!
2007-02-11 06:13:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋