Ever wonder why your cat is able to land on its feet almost every time he or she falls or jumps from seemingly all heights? Ever wonder why cats are able to survive falls from 10+ stories with barely any scratches and yet cats that fall from lesser heights such as 4 stories often sustain fatal, or near-fatal, injuries? Have you heard the term 'high-rise syndrome' applied to cats and wondered what it meant? Do you wonder what you can do to protect your cat from heights? Let's explore this fascinating and important topic!
How are cats able to consistently land on their paws when they fall?
Cats have an innate ability to right themselves in mid-air when they fall from an inverted position. This is usually referred to as the 'righting reflex' but is also known as the 'labyrinthine reflex' and occasionally is also categorized as a 'neck righting reflex.' The term righting reflex is actually a bit misleading because it infers that there is one reflex that is triggered when a cat falls, when in actuality, there is a sequence of reflexes that take place in order for the end result to be that the cat lands on its paws. The combination of reflexes that compose the sum effect of the righting reflex are: the labyrinthine righting reflexes, the optic righting reflexes, body righting reflexes, and cervical righting reflexes.
When cats fall they gather information from their vestibular system, which contains the labyrinth of the inner ear and is responsible for equilibrioception, or, in other words, is responsible for spatial orientation and balance. They also gather visual information to help them assess what direction is up and what direction is down, and, with a combination of other sensory input, and their flexible spines and rudimentary collarbones, cats are able to quickly orient and right themselves. Cats begin to develop this reflex at about 3-4 weeks, and it is typically functioning at 7 weeks of age.
How are cats able to survive falls from great heights?
There are multiple factors that enable cats to sustain fewer injuries from particular heights in comparison with humans. Cats are relatively small and light, have flexible spines, thick fur, and they reach a much slower terminal velocity relative to humans. The terminal velocity that a falling cat reaches is the constant speed at which they fall when they have reached their maximal acceleration and are no longer gaining velocity. Cats reach a terminal velocity of approximately 100 km//hr, whereas humans reach a terminal velocity of approximately 210 km/hr, and, fortunately for cats, they reach their terminal velocity at a height around 5 stories, whereas humans tend to reach terminal velocity at a height of around 32 stories.
Cats employ their excellently developed righting reflexes, and once they reach their terminal velocity their vestibular systems are less stimulated, and instead of maintaining rigid body posture, they relax. Once cats reach this more relaxed state, they spread their limbs horizontally to increase drag in the air, and to more evenly distribute the forces of their impact when they hit the ground.
Studies have shown that cats that fall from heights greater than 5 stories are better able to survive because they are able to employ the above survival techniques. Cats tend to sustain more serious injuries when they are not able to reach terminal velocity and relax. That said, cats can receive fatal injuries when they fall from any height, and every fall has the potential to be traumatic or even deadly.
What is "High-Rise Syndrome"?
High-rise syndrome is the term used when cats fall from heights greater than 2 stories, including the injuries sustained from the fall. Unfortunately, despite the fact that high-rise syndrome is 100% preventable, it is seen very commonly in the veterinary industry, particularly during summer months when owners open windows and leave balcony doors open.
High-rise syndrome frequently involves chest trauma such as bruised lungs, pneumothoraxes (air trapped in the chest cavity from lacerated airway tissues), and broken ribs. Frequently there are fractures to limbs, and sometimes spinal fractures. High-rise syndrome frequently causes traumatic myocarditis, which is injury sustained by the heart. Oro-facial trauma is common and can include a fractured jaw, fractured skull, fractured teeth, and fractured palate. One of the scariest components of high-rise syndrome is the damage that is much less visibly obvious - damage to organs of the abdominal cavity. Cats that fall from heights frequently suffer from bruised and bleeding organs such as liver, spleen, and kidneys, and can even have these organs rented, or avulsed, from their locations within the abdominal cavity.
What can you do to secure your cat's safety from heights?
Secure all windows! Cats are notorious for jumping/falling out of windows! They are easily stimulated by birds flying by, bugs, and other attractive stimuli. Even if you live in a house in which the highest window is two stories above ground, it is still essential to ensure the windows have very secure screens in place. As you now know, cats are more prone to suffering greater injuries when they fall from lesser heights than those that fall from greater heights (6 stories and above).
Fence in balconies all balconies! Balconies are another cause for "high-rise syndrome." Just because a balcony is high does not mean that your cat will not jump or fall off of it - loud noises or construction may startle them so that they reflexively back away off of the railing or between the railings, or a bird flying past can create a great enough stimulus that they leap for it without thinking twice about how high up the balcony is. Balconies should be fenced from the ground to the bottom of balcony above so that jumping off is an impossibility - there are many types of aesthetic fencing options available that will pass most building standards because they are visually unobtrusive. Also, consider using a harness and leash while allowing your cat on the balcony - supervision and restraint are the most certain methods of ensuring your cats safety.
Do not use childproof window guards since cats can fit through them.
What should you do if your cat sustains a fall?
If your cat has fallen from any height (even a single story!) it is imperative that you bring to your veterinarian immediately. Symptoms of internal damage may not become obvious to you at home immediately, and by the time they do, it may be too late to effectively help your cat. There is much that your veterinarian can detect from a physical exam that you will be unable to assess at home by simple observation of your cat, and early intervention and supportive care will be crucial to your cat's survival. Even if your cat is eating, drinking, and acting altogether 'normal,' it is still best to have your cat checked out by your vet! Cats have high survival rates when they receive immediate veterinary treatment post-fall.
To read more articles by Veterinarian Dr. Ko please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com
The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian.
