High-Rise Syndrome in Cats

High-rise syndrome claims the lives of hundreds of cats every year, but few pet owners are aware of this common medical complaint. Cats are famed for their love of high places, an instinctive affinity that enables cats to monitor potential prey from a high vantage point. This behavior benefits cats in the wild, but it can cause fatal falls for cats who live in multi-story or high-rise buildings.

Cats with high-rise syndrome perch on emergency escapes, terraces, windowsills, and ledges. When they become distracted by something-- a car, bird, mouse, or another cat-- they may slip. In the wild, cats in this situation can often set themselves upright by grasping tree bark or branches. However, cats with high-rise syndrome have no way of correcting their balance. High-rise buildings are made of smooth surfaces like brick, metal, and paint, and outer-walls offer no means for the cat to regain his footing.

The injuries that result from high-rise syndrome are usually severe, but more than 90% of cats survive them if they receive immediate medical treatment. One study indicated that only about 37% of cats with high-rise syndrome require life-saving measures on an emergency basis, but all cats who suffer a long fall need to be closely examined by a veterinarian. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) warns owners to "never assume that the animal has not survived the fall", and to take the cat to the veterinarian even if it appears to be "just fine" or dead.

When a cat falls from a building or tree, she instinctively moves her body into a position that will cause the least amount of harm. This famous pose, called "righting", is partially responsible for the low mortality rate of cats with high-rise syndrome. However, since the cat will spread her legs as she anticipates the fall, her body may absorb a significant amount of the impact. Injuries to the chest, pelvis, neck, and face are most common in cats with high-rise syndrome.

Fortunately, high-rise syndrome is preventable, and owners can protect their cats by taking simple precautionary measures. As much as a cat may enjoy perching outside, it should not be allowed to access a roof, ledge, or terrace unless the area is fully enclosed. Cat owners should also ensure that all windows have a well-fitting screen, which will help to keep the cat in-- and keep pests out. The ASPCA warns that childproof window guards do nothing to prevent high-rise syndrome, since cats can squeeze through these small gaps. High-rise syndrome may be deadly, but it is also treatable and preventable.