What injuries can a cat suffer from falling from a height?
Is it dangerous for a cat to fall from a height? How can I prevent my pet from falling?
The belief in cats' amazing abilities to always land on all fours and live at least nine lives sometimes leads owners to be completely careless about their pet's safety. This is especially true if a window, balcony, or open vent is their pet's favorite place and they've never fallen from it.
Many believe that cats understand the dangers of heights perfectly well, are capable of thinking, drawing conclusions, and would never voluntarily undertake a long flight. Unfortunately, this is not true. In fact, cats are unable to assess the level of danger and become accustomed to the altitude at which they usually sit.
What are the consequences of falling from a great height?
Regarding the myth of always landing safely, I'd like to debunk it. Cats are undoubtedly naturally capable of "soft landings." Their highly developed vestibular system allows them to quickly adjust their position and find the optimal landing position on all fours.
When it comes to falls from great heights (over 7 stories), it's worth noting that cats are capable of gliding. Granted, they don't glide like flying squirrels, but they do. Cats have a large fold of skin under their paws, and when falling, they spread their limbs outward, ensuring the safest landing.
But all these skills and aviation abilities cannot insure your animal against severe bruises and fractures, and sometimes even immediate death as a result of traumatic shock.
It's worth noting that, in addition to bruises and fractures, such flights are fraught with more serious problems, including ruptures and contusions of internal organs, and, as a result, profuse internal bleeding, and, in most cases, an unfavorable outcome.
Why do cats jump?
The question of what makes animals leap thoughtlessly from great heights is simple. A cat is a hunter by nature and will never ignore a passing bird or butterfly. Sometimes, animals in an "interesting state" leap toward their fellows to procreate, naturally without considering the consequences of the flight.
Stubborn statistics tell us that the majority of severe injuries and deaths in cats under 5 years of age occur as a result of falls from heights.
Not only a wide-open window is dangerous for a cat, but also a window set to ventilation. Cats, caught in a V-shaped trap out of curiosity, often become stuck. And if no one is home, the outcome can be tragic, and death can be long and painful.
If you value your pet's life, you must first and foremost take care of its safety.
Safety rules
Install on windows and balconies special netsHowever, please note that PVC mosquito nets, which are installed in almost every home, are not suitable for this purpose. This is especially true if your cat is quite large and not particularly calm.
Mosquito nets won't protect your pet. A cat will still fall from a height!If a cat jumps on such a mesh, it will easily tear it. Special metal grates are installed for cats. They are light-colored and appear virtually transparent, do not obstruct visibility, and allow air to pass through. A metal mosquito net would also work well.
Ventilate the window horizontally rather than vertically by installing special "combs." This device allows you to adjust the degree of opening of the sash and securely lock it in a certain position (to prevent a curious cat from peeking through).
Do you have friends or neighbors who still don't understand the dangers of high altitudes for cats? If so, hold them accountable. Explain that cats are just animals, subject to the laws of nature and incapable of abstract thought. Talk about the real dangers of vertical ventilation, open windows, and balconies.
And remember: “We are responsible for those we have tamed…”
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