Cat fall protection

Safety for your cat

A cat is a very active, curious, and highly agile animal that can reach hard-to-reach places at great heights. It is often said that a cat has nine lives, and it loves to test that in practice. Veterinarians and veterinary clinics can provide dramatic statistics showing that the biggest danger to domestic cats comes from open windows and balconies. Falls are among the most common injuries that are treated in veterinary clinics. This issue affects not only outdoor cats but also those living in apartments. Cats are curious, and they are hunters. Therefore, any unsecured window represents a constant risk of falling and death. Although there are no official statistics on the number of cat injuries from falls in Slovakia, veterinary clinics frequently deal with such cases, especially during the summer months from May to September. Open and tilting windows are especially dangerous for cats. If a cat becomes trapped in a "tilting window," it can lead to multiple injuries, which can even be fatal. Cats are curious and agile animals that can reach hard-to-access places at great heights, increasing the risk of falls. Therefore, it is essential to secure windows and balconies with protective nets or other suitable measures to prevent such accidents.

Cat and High-rise syndrome

High-Rise Syndrome is a term used in veterinary medicine to refer to the injuries that cats sustain after falling from a height, typically from windows or balconies of high-rise buildings. This phenomenon is relatively common, especially in urban areas, where cats have access to unsecured windows or balconies.

Cats have a natural body-rotating reflex during a fall (known as the righting reflex), which allows them to position themselves correctly before landing. However, if the height is not sufficient for the completion of this reflex, they may land unnaturally and suffer serious injuries.

Typical injuries in high-rise syndrome include:

• Jaw and tooth fractures – when attempting to land, the cat may strike its head on a hard surface.

• Fractures of limbs and pelvis – the impact may cause extensive bone damage.

• Chest injuries (pneumothorax, lung contusion) – the impact can lead to internal injuries that may compromise breathing.

• Abdominal injuries (bladder rupture, internal bleeding) – the force of the impact can cause organs to rupture.

Interesting facts:

• Cats falling from lower heights (1-2 stories) often sustain worse injuries than those falling from 5-7 stories. This is because, with a higher fall, they have more time to properly rotate their bodies and distribute the impact force.

• Cats instinctively try to spread their bodies like a parachute to slow down their fall.

Protection of cats from falling, from a legislative perspective

In Slovakia, the protection of companion animals is regulated by Decree No. 283/2020 Coll. of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic. This decree sets out the details for the protection of companion animals; however, it does not explicitly require securing windows and balconies against cat falls. Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of pet owners to ensure their safety and prevent possible injuries.

However, all of this may soon change. A trend from Western countries is heading our way, where various regulations concerning the protection of domestic animals exist. In Austria, animal protection is regulated by the federal Animal Protection Act (Tierschutzgesetz), which sets out obligations for pet owners. According to this law, cat owners are required to secure their homes in such a way that prevents cats from falling from windows or balconies. This means that windows and balconies must be equipped with protective nets or other appropriate measures to prevent cats from falling and sustaining injuries. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to sanctions under the Austrian Animal Protection Act. Therefore, it is important for cat owners in Austria to secure their windows and balconies with suitable protective measures, thus protecting their pets from possible injury caused by falls.

Netting with the strongest mesh on the market

K-system has specialized in the production of insect nets for over 30 years. Part of their portfolio includes a specific mesh tested for high stress and damage from sharp objects, making it suitable for cat protection. Every year, we produce several tens of thousands of insect nets for our customers for various types and shapes of windows.

K-system manufactures nets with the strongest mesh on the market. These nets are designed for maximum protection of domestic animals, especially cats, against falls from windows and balconies. They are made from high-quality and durable materials that can withstand outdoor conditions while ensuring that the animal cannot pass through the net or damage it.

Some of the features of these nets include:

• High strength and resistance to tearing and damage.
• UV stabilization, ensuring the net doesn't fade or weaken under sunlight exposure.
• Easy installation on various types of windows and balconies.
• Flexibility, allowing customization to different sizes and shapes of openings.
• High resistance to weather conditions, ensuring a long lifespan of the nets.

These nets provide not only safety for cats but also comfort for pet owners, who can be assured that their animals are protected from the risk of falls.

K-system nets are recommended by shelters, veterinarians, and animal protection associations

We focus on producing all-aluminum frames with lifetime durability. Only high-quality, sturdy frames without PVC components and a unique method of stretching the mesh ensure the safety of cats.

How to protect a cat from falling?

There are several ways to protect a cat from falling, especially from windows, balconies, and other high places:

1. Zabezpečení oken a balkonů:

   • Nainstalujte ochranné sítě na okna a balkony, aby se zabránilo kočce vypadnout. Siete by měly být vyrobeny z pevného materiálu, který je odolný proti poškození a roztržení.
   • Použijte hliníkové rámy s vysokou pevností, které zajistí stabilitu sítí.
   • Dohlížejte na kočku v blízkosti otevřených oken – nenechávejte kočku bez dozoru na balkoně nebo u otevřeného okna.
   • Pro balkony, které nejsou uzavřené, zvažte zabezpečení zábradlí ochrannými sítěmi nebo skly.

2. Instalace uzavíratelných oken a dveří:

   • Pokud máte okna, která se dají vyklápět, ujistěte se, že jsou dobře zabezpečena a neexistuje riziko, že se kočka dostane přes otevřený prostor.

3. Vytvoření bezpečného prostředí:

   • Zabezpečte kočce prostředí, ve kterém se může bezpečně pohybovat. Ujistěte se o stabilitě nábytku a vyhněte se umístění nebezpečných předmětů, které by mohly způsobit pád.
   • Zvažte použití speciálních rohoží nebo podložek, které mohou zabránit uklouznutí kočky při jejím pohybu.
   • Zabezpečte interiér – poskytněte kočkám dostatek stimulace (škrabadla, hračky), aby necítila potřebu prozkoumávat nebezpečná místa.

4. Pozor na zvyky koček:

   • Kočky jsou velmi zvědavé a často se pokouší dostat na vyšší místa. Snažte se minimalizovat možnosti, kde se mohou dostat na okraj nebo k oknům.

5. Zabezpečení i venkovních prostor:

   • Pokud máte kočku, která tráví čas venku, zvažte umístění bezpečnostní ohrady nebo venkovní klece, která jí poskytne bezpečný prostor.

Těmito způsoby můžete výrazně snížit riziko, že vaše kočka utrpí zranění způsobené pádem. High-Rise Syndrome je závažný veterinární problém, který může kočkám způsobit vážná nebo smrtelná zranění. Prevence je nejlepší způsob, jak chránit domácí zvířata před rizikem pádů.