If you have ever seen a cat parachuting or fall , it might appear as though they always stick the landing place . This set up the doubtfulness , do cats always land on their feet ? The resolution is yes , but that does n’t guarantee they ’ll always shore safely . Cats possess a natural righting reflex that allows them to worm their body mid - atmosphere to orient themselves , but whether they land without harm depends on the height from which they fall . datum collected by the Animal Medical Center of New York City suggests that cats suffer the most injury when they fall between two and six stories , whereas lessen between seven and 32 stories may give cats enough time to right themselves . However , there ’s more science behind how and why cast land on their animal foot .
What is Feline “Righting Reflex”?
A cat ’s righting innate reflex is an innate power to twist their body and align themselves for land safely . kitten as young as 3 calendar week honest-to-god beginpracticing this maneuverand typically have it master by 7 calendar week of geezerhood . Thanks to their highly flexile spinal column and free - floating collarbone , all cats can do this .
When a khat come , their body torques in such a way that the front half and back half revolve on different axis vertebra ' . Intentional hold out and tucking of their front and back legs put up to this alliance . Once orient , their soundbox then unwind and flattens , as if create a parachute to glide down with .
When does this righting innate reflex kicking in?Cats need to flow at least 30 centimetersor almost 12 inches in monastic order to orient their bodies to fall on their animal foot . Any shorter , and they can injure themselves . But unluckily , even great heights can result in grievous harm .
Supporting Studies and News
A study completed over five months by theAnimal Medical Centerof New York City reviewed132 causa of in high spirits - rise syndrome . These computed tomography were patients who present to the veterinary hospital after come from various heights , and ninety percent of these cats survived with handling . Based on the results , they conclude that cats who fell from between two and six narrative have the most substantial injuries compare to those who fell from in high spirits floor . Arguably the most telling case was that of a kitten who fly 32 stories and was discharged from the hospital a few days later on with only a collapse lung and broken tooth .
Another miraculous fib is that of a cat who found themself from the fifth - trading floor window of aburning construction in Chicagoin 2021 . looker-on witnessed the cat safely fall to the grass and scamper off without any obvious signs of hurt .
Why Do Cats Fall from High Places?
Cats do n’t necessarily take pleasure in flinging themselves from cracking top , but they do enjoy perching . It ’s not uncommon to see an out-of-door cat positioned on a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree branch or rooftop . Even naturalise indoor catsseek out high placeson a cat tree diagram or the top of the fridge . Cats instinctually prefer to have this high vantage period to watch for danger , and because cats like heights , fall naturally occur .
When cats fall , it ’s in the main unintentional . Maybe a bird catches their eye and they momentarily lose residual , or their chela ca n’t grip the surface properly . Regardless of the reason , if a cat falls from high up , even if they do commonwealth on their groundwork , they can hurt themselves .
High Rise Syndrome in Cats
Unfortunately , hombre fall from eminent piazza and sustain injury so frequently experts grant the condition its own name : gamy - rise syndrome . High - rise syndrome refer to the injuries Caterpillar can suffer from after have a drop . This occursmost commonly in the warmer monthswhen windows and doors are open and in younger cats who are more inclined to explore . However , any kat can come down accidentally . Depending on the height of the decline , the control surface the cat falls onto , and the position they are in when they make contact with the terra firma , a guy can see any of the travel along accidental injury .
What to Do if Your Cat Falls
If your cat falls , they may not show any outward signs of trauma , but that does n’t always mean they were n’t hurt . A fall from any height warrants a trip to the vet to confirm your cat is safe . Closelymonitor your pet for 12 to 48 hoursand assay veterinary care if they exhibit any of the follow concerning symptoms .
Treatment for high - rising slope syndrome depart found on the patient role ’s injuries . Your veterinary ER will assess your hombre ’s condition and may first do by them for shock with atomic number 8 therapy , IV fluids , andpain medications . In addition to a forcible examination , nosology such as x - rays and ancestry work are typically advocate to identify any internal injuries . Unfortunately , not all cats who fall down from marvellous heights live .
Tips to Prevent Cats from Falling
If you live in an flat building or have a two or three - story home , it ’s important totake precautionsto preclude high - rise syndrome .
Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?
cat are engrossing creatures that somehow appear to dare the rules of physics . Their righting innate reflex is a phenomenon that still irks many experts . While it ’s not safe or recommended to drop a qat to test the reflex , bang that your feline ally has this special built - in protective mechanism . And if your big cat does suffer a fall , seek veterinary maintenance to ensure they have n’t sustained any injuries for a positive outcome .
