25/06/2026
🐈FELINE FURSDAY!
Why do cats fall from heights?🏢
Breaking the myth!
It is often said that cats always land on their feet – and indeed they do have a complex righting reflex that naturally kicks in as a cat falls, allowing it to orientate itself to land on its feet. However, the fall needs to be high enough to allow the cat to twist, but not too high to cause serious injury, and the cat’s legs need to be able to absorb the shock of the fall. With high falls the jaw often hits the ground and is broken, and other severe injuries can also occur. Older or less agile cats may also not be able to right themselves in time.
Increasingly, due to our growing cities and busy lifestyles, cats are kept in flats and high-rise buildings and, in many cases, without access outdoors. With hard work to ensure the cat’s environment is enriched, it can express natural behaviours such as hunting and climbing, and live happily indoors. However, if windows are left open, or cats have access to balconies, they are at risk of falling. Studies have shown that the majority of injured cats are young cats (many under 1- year- old), presumably due to inexperience and a more playful and curious nature. Owners often report that the cat or kitten was playing with another cat, walking along the window or balcony ledge or chasing birds and butterflies when it fell. High rise syndrome is more prevalent in warmer climates where windows are left open, and in cities where high rise living is more common.
Information provided by .org
