Daisy discusses high-rise Syndrome and Cats
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Kitties, here I am in my new home 18 stories high! Please do not be afraid because there is a thick piece of glass between me and a very long fall. but this does bring up a very important topic about being safe in high places. We cats love looking outside and basking in sunny windows. In warmer weather, many people may even leave the windows open to enjoy a cool breeze. but if we’re not careful, this could lead to tragedy.
“High-Rise Syndrome” is the term used to describe cats accidentally falling from tall buildings. While we cats don’t deliberately jump from high-rise windows, accidents can happen especially when a cat becomes distracted chasing an insect or watching a bird, becomes frightened and blindly seeks an escape route, or is startled when napping in a sunny windowsill.
Studies have shown that cats are actually more likely to survive a fall from a greater height rather than a lower height. Cats have a built-in righting reflex and it takes only about 2 1/2 feet of free-fall for a cat to right itself. At heights above 8 or 9 stories cats often sustain less severe injuries as this height allows cats enough time to relax, orient themselves and form a “flying squirrel” shape which increases drag to slow the rate of descent, similar to a built-in parachute. However, when we fall from lower heights (between 2 and 7 stories) we often do not have enough time to get oriented and relaxed to fall in an optimal position, resulting in more severe injuries.
If you are a cat that enjoys jumping, like me, you can always have fun jumping around inside your home, like this:
The best way to avoid high-rise Syndrome is prevention. here are some safety tips if you live in a high building:
Don’t allow your cat onto the balcony. Cats can be tempted to jump onto the balcony railing which could be slippery or rounded leading to a fall. If the balcony has an open railing, most cats can easily slip through the openings.
If you open your windows, be sure the window is covered with a sturdy, well-fitting screen.
Metal window-guards designed to keep children safe do not provide protection for cats.
If the worse-case scenario occurs and your cat falls, don’t assume the cat did not survive. immediately locate your cat and head for an emergency animal clinic.
Make sure your cat carries a microchip or identification tag so should your cat escape or fall, he or she doesn’t become lost, compounding the tragedy.
Pet Safety