How can I keep my cat safe on balcony?

Question

I just moved into an eighth floor apartment and have two balconies. I first worry as the bars are far apart and then I would like to put some furniture out there as well but worry he might try to jump up on the 1-2" rail. Any ideas on how we can both enjoy the outdoors? PS, is in Chicago, so the wind is very strong.

I DO NOT want to keep him out there, just enable him to safely come sit outside with the dog and I.

Just want to say Thanks! for all the ideas! No worries on abuse, trust me, all my friends n family want to come back as one of my babies. He is a big fat guy so he rocks a bit when he jumps, lol. He is also a sneaky little bugger! so I want to make sure that if he sneaks out onto it he is safe. Thanks again for everyone's help!

Answer 1

They sell mesh enclosures or play areas that are designed to put outdoors. You just pop them up and stick your cat inside. Then your cat can be outside with you, able to move around some but still be safe from the narrow, 8 story rail. (I like that they really don't have the 'cage' look or feel)

The one in the link I provided is a little spendy but if you do some shopping around you might be able to find different styles and sizes and something a little more reasonably priced.

Cats are curious by nature and they will explore the balcony rail and all. When I lived in a duplex I had a balcony/patio off the 2nd story. I had two indoor cats that I wanted to be able to get some fresh air, lay in the sun etc. Both cats spent a considerable amount of time on the deck, I NEVER dreamed these graceful cats would ever fall off... BUT both of them did lose their balance at least once and fell to the grass below. (Luckily it was only a story and fluffy grass, no injuries).

Answer 2

The most common solutions seem to be nylon netting, which encases the entire balcony, from the bottom of the rail to the "ceiling," or the bottom of the upstair's neighbor's balcony. Next to that is plexiglass, of varying heights. You could google "cat enclosures" and research a variety of solutions and ideas. Me? I would buy common garden meshing or netting and drape them up to enclose the entire balcony - not very pretty, but safe.

Answer 3

I suggest that you never leave the cat out there alone, but it sounds like this is what you meant. You can take him/her out on a leash with a body harness only.

Cats can jump well, of course, and he can jump up on the edge of it and fall over. Cats WILL jump. This is a fact. Falling is a common reason cats are seen by vets, but it's unlikely he would survive an 8 story fall.

I used to have cats who were trained to go outside on walks in a body harness and they all loved it. Of course we didn't take brisk walks... we just doddered around the yard so they could explore.

They were also trained to use the toilet like humans do, but that's another story!

Answer 4

You don't need to worry about your cat being out on the balcony. Cat's won't put themselves into a situation they can't handle or that is dangerous for them. 1 - 2" is plenty wide enough for even the clumsiest cat to keep their balance though i doubt he would get up their to begin with. If he wants to sit on the balcony, you'll find it's more likely he will sit on the furniture you place outside. If he does fall, it will probably only be a bit of a shock for him anyway as you'll find he'll manage the fall quite easily.

Answer 5

Try finding the Kitty Walk products.


Never tie the cat out on just a leash, he could hang himself.


My cat can even squirm out of a harness and then paw open the screen door. I only take him out when fully supervised bc he's just a little Houdini!

Answer 6

Use a harness and leash.
DIY stores have chicken wire and mesh.
The mesh is sort of like a screen door, but cloth. It's softer, more flexable and easier to work with.
You'd have to enclose the entire balcony, top to bottom and all the way around, but it might be worth it.

Answer 7

i think the best solution here is to keep your cat closely supervised. maby put something between rails most likely that wont help unless it was a kitten. and just in general i think that it would be bad to even have the cat be able to go out on the balcony.


and make sure the balconey is safe and is up to date with safty regulations.

Answer 8

You say the wind is very strong. Your cat probably won't like to be out on the patio, but if you have sliding glass doors or something to the entrance to the patio you can put her cat cage right next to the opening, so she will be with you.

Answer 9

First, don't let any, of your pets go on to the balcony, it's not safe, and wouldn't you feel bad if they got hurt, even your dog shouldn't go on their, When my cousin used to live in Chicago I would visit her, and she had a balcony, and they suggest not having your pets on there! Good luck, and try to not let your pets on the balcony! Hope this helps!

Answer 10

Don't worry, your cat wont put himself into situation that he can't handle. He wont try to jump to another building or something. It's an animal you know and animals use their instinct to survive.