Will My Cat Jump Off the Balcony? High-Rise Syndrome Explained
By Ed Malaker
Updated on
If you live in a high-rise building, condo, or another type of building that has a balcony and you own a cat, you might worry that your cat might jump off and get injured. Fortunately, most cats are too smart to jump, but keep reading for several reasons that you might still want to keep your cat away from the balcony. We also list a few ways to make that area safer if your cat wants to go out.
Will My Cat Jump Off the Balcony?
No. Your cat knows how high they are and is unlikely to leap into a potentially dangerous situation. If you have cat perches around your home, you will see how carefully your cat plans their jumps to get on and off. Most cats can jump up or down about 5 feet and will avoid trying to jump any farther, usually resorting to finding another way. If the cat is overweight or older, their jump distance will be less.
Is Allowing My Cat on the Balcony Safe?
No. While your cat is unlikely to jump off without provocation, several dangers remain.
The Dangers of Letting Your Cat Out on the Balcony
1. Birds
Cats have a strong instinct to attack birds and may even run into the window if you have a bird feeder outside. Therefore, it is extremely likely that a bird will cause the cat to accidentally jump off if it gets too close.
2. Playing
If your cat is playing and chasing after one of their toys, they can get carried away and make a poor decision that causes them to fall off the balcony.
3. Loud Noises
Cats are easily frightened by loud noises. For example, a firecracker, a car backfiring, or even a gunshot noise on your TV might scare a cat. When this happens, the cat can accidentally jump off the balcony.
4. Sleeping
If your cat takes a nap near the railing of your balcony, they might roll over or stretch out and fall off accidentally.
How Can I Make My Balcony Safer for My Cat?
Fencing
Fencing off the balcony is a great way to make it safer for your pet without sacrificing the great view or fresh air. Garden fencing is a great option, and there are several others that you can use.
Cat Harness
A great way to ensure that your cat can safely reach the railing of your balcony is to use a cat harness. It’s inexpensive and works well, though it may take your cat a while to get used to it.
Catio
If you have enough space on your balcony, a catio can keep your cat safe while they spend time outside. Many catios have multiple floors, space for food and water, and other amenities that can help make it an even better experience for your pet.
What Is High-Rise Syndrome?
High-rise syndrome is a veterinary term for the injuries that cats suffer after falling from a height of more than two stories. While most cats live, they can still suffer many injuries, including broken bones, especially of the jawbone and legs. Other injuries to the legs, ligaments, and tendons are also common, and there can be internal injuries to the lungs and other organs. Fortunately, 90% of cats that receive treatment survive their fall.
How Do Cats Survive High Falls?
Cats can survive high falls partly because they have a lower terminal velocity than humans, which is the maximum speed that an object will reach when falling. Since a cat falls relatively slowly, they don’t get injured as badly. They also have a righting reflex that causes them to instinctively twist their bodies like a gymnast to get their feet below their body. They may even spread out their legs like flying squirrels, which helps slow them down even more.
Summary
Your cat won’t jump off the balcony on purpose, but several things might cause them to fall by accident, like birds, loud noises, and even intense playing. If your cat needs to spend time outdoors, we recommend making the balcony safer by blocking it off with screening or fencing. If you can’t screen it in, a catio can help create an outdoor area where your cat can play, or you can use a cat harness to prevent them from getting too close to the edge.
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Featured Image Credit: gon4, Shutterstock
