Why Cats Always Land on Their Feet‏

CAT CRAZY NEWSLETTER

By PetPlace.com

Why do cats always land on their feet?

Well, actually this is a bit of a myth. Contrary to popular belief, falling cats do not always land on their feet. In fact, every day cats sustain serious injuries from falling out of open windows, off balconies, and from rooftops. Cats do not fear heights and will often leap after a bird or a butterfly only to find themselves falling through the air. The trauma sustained from a fall of over two stories (24 to 30 feet) is known as high-rise syndrome.

In a study from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, two veterinarians examined 132 cases of cats that had fallen out of high-rise windows. On average, the cats fell 5.5 stories, but 90 percent survived, although many suffered severe injuries. The number of broken bones and injuries increased with the number of stories the cat had fallen – up to seven stories. Above seven stories, however, the number of injuries declined. In other words, the farther the cat fell, the better were his chances of escaping injury.

How can this be?

To help you understand, we have a great article that explains what happens when a cat falls. To read this very interesting article go to: petplace.com/cats/why-cats-land-on-their-feet/page1.aspx

Yes, cats are good at surviving falls. However, there are many examples of cats falling only a short distance and severely injuring themselves. The best way to keep your cat safe is to make sure there are no high-up open windows in your home without heavy screens. Take a few moments this weekend to look at your environment for potential hazards.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Until next time…

Dr. Jon