Build A Makeshift Jumping Sheet
You could persuade your cat to jump out of the tree onto a sheet or net to break its fall.
To try this, prepare a bed sheet, net, or sheet of plastic to function as a makeshift jump sheet.
Cats wont understand that this is to catch them and they wont voluntarily jump onto it. A little encouragement is needed.
Have someone else climb into the tree. This works best if its someone other than the cats owners. Because the cat will not risk getting caught by a stranger, she might decide to jump and hope for the best. Youll be ready with your sheet to catch her and break her fall.
How To Get A Cat Out Of A Tree
If you are trying to get a cat down from a tree, there are some actions you can take.
Putting down food and water at the base of the tree to coax the cat down could work but is not always a good idea. The cat food may attract other animals, including raccoons, cats, and dogs, which could discourage the cat from coming down.
Check out our article on cats and raccoons and if they get along:
It is better to stay near the tree and ensure that no other animals are hanging around. The cat may need some space and quiet time before coming down of its own accord. Give the cat around twenty-four hours to come down by itself before resorting to more drastic measures.
Do not try to climb the tree yourself unless you are strong and fit. People have been known to die from falling while attempting to rescue a cat. If you know that you can climb the tree, it is still better to have someone else with you to assist. Once you get up there, you will need to handle the cat and possibly lower it to someone else in a bag or basket.
If the cat does not know you and is already in a state of panic, it may climb further up the tree or even fall. If you dont have a head for heights or you are not fit enough to climb the tree, people who are used to working in high places might be able to help. These include tree fellers, roofing contractors, pest controllers, and electric companies.
He’ll Come Down When He’s Hungry Maybe
Most cats will indeed decide to come down when theyre hungry enough. But on our Almost Heaven Ranch, Ive twice had to save barn cats who refused to come down in a timely manner. Recently we were able to reach a stranded cat with a bucket truck . The other time the cat was too high to get to that way, so I eventually decided that to save the cats life Id have to chainsaw the tree. The cat was injured but survived thanks to prompt medical care. Lucky Im a veterinarian, isnt it?
If you think a cat or any animal is in trouble, call your local animal control officers. They’re the ones best equipped to deal with any life-threatening situation. And who knows? In some towns they may even be able to sweet-talk the fire department into helping out.
More on Vetstreet.com:
Also Check: Cat Teeth Extraction Recovery
Keeping Your Cat Out Of Trees In The Future
While the best solution for this would be for you to keep your cat indoors only, it can be quite difficult for a pet to get used to such a new living situation if theyre accustomed to exploring the outdoors.
If you do want to keep your cat in the house, you should allow her to at least look outside easily, such as by getting a cat perch or a large cat tree .
With a bit of practice you can even take your cat out for walks using a harness and leash.
Cat Stuck In A Tree Here’s How To Rescue Your Feline Friend
Cats are great at climbing … not so much at getting back down.
Cats are curious creatures and can sometimes get themselves in a bit of trouble. Anyone who owns a furry feline knows how much cats love climbing up on things, whether it’s in a cat tree or on the kitchen counters. Although, climbing down can be a different story.
Recommended Reading: What Does It Mean When A Cat’s Pupils Are Big
Can Cats Die From Fall Damage
With their righting reflex, cats often land uninjured. However, this is not always the case, since cats can still break bones or die from extreme falls. The study authors speculated that after falling five stories the cats reached terminal velocity and thereafter relaxed and spread their bodies to increase drag.
Do Cats Meow At Other Cats
Generally the solution to this query is not any, meowing is reserved for us human beings. Cats may not normally meow at every other tom cat, however it really will normally purr, hiss or spit at their furry counterparts. Interestingly, a cats purr is pitched on equal frequency as an idling diesel engine
Also Check: Why Is My Cat Losing Fur
Lean A Ladder On The Truck Of The Tree
If you have a long ladder, you can lean this against the tree trunk. Either climb up the ladder yourself and try to lure the cat toward you using a container of treats that you can shake, or leave the ladder in place and give them time to figure out the problem by themselves. Some cats will use the ladder to climb down.
If your cat comes toward you while youre standing on the ladder, you may be able to pick them up and carry them down. If youre going to try this approach, we recommend wearing thick gloves and long sleeves, as even the most placid cat may panic as you pick them up.
What To Do If They Do Get Stuck
First, dont panic. This wont do anything to ease your cat’s stress and it can cloud your logical thinking processes.
Next, try to entice the cat to come down with some strong-smelling food or treats. If this doesnt work and only if you are physically able, climb up the tree to your cat and bring them down. Always have someone there to watch in case you need help.
If the tree isnt too tall, you might be able to use some type of wood or other objects to create an incline or ramp that the cat could use the get down.
If all that fails, call a local animal shelter or rescue that might have some advice or could recommend a service such as a tree trimmer to help bring your cat down. As a last resort, you can call your local fire department.
If you’re worried about your cats getting out and climbing up a tree, consider limiting your cat’s time outdoors to walks on a leash or harness, which can be a great way to give your cat safe, secure time outdoors and plenty of exercise!
You could also provide your cats with a “catio,” which is basically an outdoor enclosure that provides your cats with outdoor enrichment while still safe at home.
Don’t Miss: How To Introduce A Kitten To An Older Cat
How Long Can A Cat Be Stuck In A Tree
There are stories of cats surviving for more than a week in a tree.However,it is not recommended to leave a cat stuck in a tree for more than twenty-four hours.
The longer a cat stays in the tree, the weaker they become due to a lack of food and water. It may eventually become too weak to climb down, and, even if it is rescued, it could die later of exposure, dehydration, or starvation.
Additionally, if the cat is in a tree for a while, it may fall asleep. Falling asleep in a tree puts a cat at risk and seriously increases the chances of falling out of the tree.
Who To Call For A Cat Stuck In A Tree
Weve all seen it in the movies and theres a chance youve encountered it in real life – a cat is stuck high up in a tree. A spectacle ensues and everyone cheers as the cat is safely brought back to the ground. In movies and reality, most people reach for the phone to call the fire department.
But if youre in the Jefferson County area of Missouri, a local business has got you covered.
Atypical Cat Rescue is staying true to their name and saving kitties stuck in trees. According to their website, the business consists of two ISA Certified Arborist brothers who share a passion for climbing and working with trees. They note that their skills in conjunction with a love for animals, give them the ability to bring your kitty to ground level.
Don’t Miss: Why Do Cats Growl At Other Cats
Why Are Cats Afraid To Climb Down
A cats claws are like little hooks that are very good for climbing trees. All they have to do is hook in their nails and pull themselves up.
When it comes to climbing down again, the most logical way would be to descend butt first and use their claws as a way to control their descend.
However, most cats dont understand this and try to get down headfirst. When descending this way, their claws are of no use because the hooks point the wrong way. As a result, they cannot keep themselves from slipping and falling because they have no grip.
This is not really a problem for small and low trees because cats will just run down quickly. However, this becomes an issue for taller trees, and the cat gets afraid to lose its grip and fall.
Who Are You Supposed To Call
In the past, the fire department was the one you should have called when a cat got stuck in a tree, nowadays, theyre quite unlikely to come to the rescue.
Most areas have professional cat rescuers, however, and you should get informed about what those are where you live.
In the United Kingdom, for example, you can .
They will be able to send an officer to give you assistance, but given that they do have to handle a lot of emergencies, do keep in mind that this should be your last resort.
Also Check: How Much To Feed 3 Month Old Kitten
Let The Come Down On Their Own Time
Some cats just need a bit of time to figure out how to get out of a tree on their own. Cats who are shy or timid may not like the attention of people trying to help them and would rather stay in the tree until they feel safer.
In this instance, it can be a good idea to leave tasty food at the base of the tree, and keep an eye on your cat from a distance. As they get hungry and bored, they may decide to get down of their own accord.
Helping A Cat Down From A Tree
Recommended Reading: What Is The Ratio Of Cat Years To Human Years
How To Get A Cat Out Of A Tree: 6 Useful Methods
Some cats seem to have a talent for getting themselves in trouble, and plenty of cats manage to get themselves stuck in trees. Cats might seem like athletic and talented climbers, and while most of them are great at going up trees, getting down can be more of a challenge.
The good news is that we have six tried-and-tested methods for getting cats out of trees!
Can Cats Survive A 3 Story Fall
Specifically, according to a study done by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 132 cats falling from an average of 5.5 stories and as high as 32 stories, the latter of which is more than enough for them to reach their terminal velocity, have a survival rate of about 90%, assuming they are
You May Like: How Much Should A 3 Month Old Kitten Eat
How Far Can A Cat Fall
How cats can survive falling 32 stories high with limited injuries. Cats famously land on their feet when they jump off furniture and trees, but they use a different technique to survive falls from much greater heights. Some cats have walked away from falling as high as 32 stories with limited injuries.
Can A Cat Die From Falling Out Of A Tree
If a cat falls from a tree, it can be severely injured and die. Common injuries sustained by cats after a fall include:
- Joint damage, ruptured tendons, bruised or torn ligaments, and bone fractures
- Internal injuries, especially to the lungs
- Broken jawbone and shattered teeth
The higher the distance from which the cat falls out of a tree, the more likely it will sustain severe injuries or death.
Dont try to prod your cat into falling out of a tree if it is stuck. Pulling on branches, using a long pole to push it from its perch, or otherwise causing it to lose its balance are examples of how not to get a cat out of a tree.
Cats are legendary for landing on their feet, but that doesnt mean that they will escape a fall uninjured. When a cat falls, it instinctively twists in mid-air so that its feet face downwards. This is called a righting reflex.
The likelihood of a cat surviving a fall out of a tree depends on several factors, namely
- how far it falls
- whether any branches can break its fall
- whether the ground below the tree is covered in a layer of leaves or concrete and
- how healthy the cat is, to begin with.
If you have a cat that likes climbing trees, you should familiarize yourself with first-aid cat falls. This will help you immediately help save your cats life if they fall from a tree.
Recommended Reading: Talking Kitty Cat Sylvester Died
Do Cats Have Trouble Climbing Down Trees
Cats do have trouble climbing down trees, and as a result, they often jump down or get stuck up the tree. The proper way for a cat to come down a tree would be tail first and not head first, but this does not come naturally to cats.
It is easy for a cat to climb a tree upwards because its claws can hook into the bark and help to pull it along. However, when a cat wants to get down off something, it usually jumps from one level to another or straight to the ground. This is because declining from a tree does not come naturally to a cat.
A cat may climb up a tree in a spontaneous burst of adrenaline-fueled activity, either because it is being chased by something or is excited to pursue something. However, once the immediate danger has passed or the prey has escaped, the cat may not have the energy reserves necessary to attempt the daunting task of getting back down again.
Prevent Your Cat From Climbing In A Tree
There are things you can do to prevent your cat from climbing in a tree. I am quite sure that organisations like the PETA would say that you should keep your cat indoors at all times. We do not believe that, because cats have just as many rights to wander outside as we humans do.
In the same time I understand perfectly well when someone who lives in a busy city decides to keep their cat indoors at all times. There are however solutions for those cats too to be outside, if one would want to offer that opportunity that is.
If your cat can go outdoors and you got trees in your garden, then the simplest method of prevention is to put special guarding fences on your tree. The fence will stop the cat from moving beyond it and push them back down to the ground again.
Another way of prevention is to install a cat patio into your garden or connected to your house/flat. This way you can minimize the area of reach your cats have. Catios can be build from wood with a layer that protects your cats from getting out from all sides, or you could install a fence system from Purrfect Fence.
You May Like: How To Draw Pete The Cat