It’s a common misconception that cats will always land on their feet and avoid injury when falling from heights. Many cat owners have witnessed their feline friends leap from high places and walk away unscathed. However, falls from significant heights can in fact be dangerous and even fatal for cats. The question of how far cats can fall and survive is an important one for any cat owner.
In this article, we will examine factors like cat anatomy, terminal velocity, injuries, and prevention to understand how far cats can fall and still be okay. While cats are remarkably agile and equipped to handle falls better than humans, there are limitations. Falls from certain heights almost always result in severe or mortal injury. However, the wide range documented, from over 200 feet to as little as 10 feet, illustrates that there are many variables at play. By understanding these factors, cat owners can better prevent dangerous falls and also know what to do should their cat take a tumble.
Anatomy
A cat’s anatomy allows it to survive falls from great heights with minimal injury. Cats have a flexible spine that can absorb impact when landing (1). Their unique righting reflex also enables them to orient themselves while falling so they can land on their feet (1, 2). As cats spread out their limbs when falling, the impact is distributed across their body instead of concentrated in one area (2).
Cats lack clavicles (collar bones), and their loose shoulder structure allows their front limbs to splay out to help break falls (2). Their muscular hind legs act as shock absorbers upon landing as well (1). Compared to larger animals, cats’ light body weight puts less force on their bones and organs when landing (1, 2). All these anatomical adaptations enable cats to suffer less severe injuries from falls.
Terminal Velocity
Terminal velocity refers to the maximum speed an object reaches while falling through the air when the force of gravity is equal and opposite to the force of drag. For cats, terminal velocity is reached at about 60 mph or 97 km/h while falling from high heights according to research (source). This is because cats can spread out their body to increase drag during a fall. They instinctively relax their bodies to achieve a flattened posture that maximizes drag and allows them to reach terminal velocity more quickly than humans.
Studies show that because cats have a lower terminal velocity and can achieve it faster than humans, they are able to survive falls from heights that would severely injure or kill a person. Cats reach terminal velocity at around 5 stories high, whereas humans don’t reach terminal velocity until a fall from around 12 stories (source). Their body control and ability to relax when hitting terminal velocity allows them to better absorb impact forces when landing.
Injuries
Cats can suffer various injuries from falling, depending on the height of the fall. According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, sprains, broken bones, head trauma, and chest or abdominal injuries may result when cats fall from heights [1]. Common specific injuries include:
- Fractures: Cats can break bones in their legs, pelvis, or vertebrae from falls. Pelvic fractures are particularly common.
- Joint dislocations: Falls may cause joints like hips or shoulders to become dislocated.
- Head trauma: Falling and hitting the head can cause concussions, hemorrhages, or skull fractures. This may result in neurological symptoms.
- Ruptured bladder: The force of impact can rupture the bladder, causing severe internal bleeding.
- Chest/abdominal trauma: Falling can damage organs like the lungs, liver, or spleen.
According to the ASPCA, high-rise syndrome is the name for injuries sustained specifically from falling multiple stories. These long falls result in more severe, traumatic injuries [2].
Fall Factors
There are several factors that affect a cat’s risk of injury from a fall, including the height fallen, landing surface, and the cat’s age and health:
Height – Studies show that cats have a remarkable ability to right themselves while falling and can survive falls from heights over 10 stories. However, the longer the fall distance, the higher the risk of severe injuries. Falls from 4-8 stories are most likely to result in injuries.
Landing Surface – Falling onto a hard surface like concrete greatly increases injury risk compared to a soft landing spot like grass or bushes. Landing on an inclined surface or narrow ledge can also result in more injuries.
Age & Health – Kittens and older cats with arthritis or other health issues are more prone to injuries from falls. Overweight cats may also sustain more injuries due to the impact on landing.
While cats are remarkably resilient, falls from any height still carry risks. Other factors like how they land and if they land feet-first vs side/back can also affect potential injuries.
Sources:
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437510000034
[2] https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/high-rise-syndrome-in-cats/
High Rise Falls
Cats have been known to survive incredible falls from heights. According to studies done on cats brought to veterinary clinics after high-rise falls, the survival rate is around 90% for cats that fall between 5 and 10 stories. Some remarkable cases include:
In one case, a cat named Sugar fell 19 stories from an apartment building and survived after vets treated her for a collapsed lung and other injuries (source).
Another cat named Baby fell 26 stories onto concrete and survived with minor injuries. Vets said Baby spread herself out like a flying squirrel to slow the impact of the fall (source).
There are many other documented cases of cats surviving falls from 20 stories or higher. Their ability to right themselves in the air, relax their bodies on impact, and spread their limbs to distribute the force of the fall all help minimize injuries.
Prevention
There are several things cat owners can do to prevent their cats from falling out of windows:
- Install window screens – Sturdy, well-fitted screens can help prevent cats from falling out open windows. Some options include heavy-duty pet screening or steel window guards. [1]
- Use deterrents – Applying double-sided sticky tape or aluminum foil to windowsills and frames can discourage cats from jumping up. [2]
- Block access – Keep cats away from open windows using baby gates or by closing doors to rooms with windows.
- Provide alternative views – Place perches near windows or install screened ‘catio’ enclosures so cats can look outside safely.
- Use positive reinforcement – Reward cats for staying away from windows and distract them with toys when windows are open.
- Keep windows shut – When not at home, keep all windows fully closed to prevent falls.
Taking preventative measures can help protect cats from the dangers of open windows in upper floors.
First Aid
If your cat has fallen, it’s important to provide first aid as soon as possible to prevent further injury. Here are the steps for treating a cat after a fall:
First, assess your cat’s condition. Look for signs of injury like limping, wounds, bleeding, or abnormal breathing. Also check for signs of shock like pale gums, weakness, rapid breathing and heart rate (cite https://www.wikihow.pet/Give-First-Aid-to-a-Cat-After-a-Fall). If there are no obvious injuries, keep your cat under observation for at least 2 hours.
If there is bleeding from a wound, apply firm pressure on the area using a clean towel or cloth for at least 10 minutes to stop the bleeding (cite https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-limping-cats). Bandage the wound if needed.
For limping or injuries to the legs or paws, restrict your cat’s movement by gently wrapping the injured area. Soak the injured paw in an Epsom salt solution to reduce swelling (cite https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-limping-cats).
If your cat is having trouble breathing or is unresponsive, check for blockages in the airway. Open the mouth and look for foreign objects lodged in the throat. If needed, perform cat CPR by giving 10 breaths per minute until breathing resumes or you reach the vet (cite https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-falls-in-cats).
Carefully transport your cat to the vet in a secure carrier, even if injuries seem minor. Seek emergency care if your cat is bleeding heavily, seems to have broken bones, is struggling to breathe, or is going into shock.
Prognosis
The prognosis for a cat’s recovery after a fall depends on several factors, including the height fallen, injuries sustained, and how quickly treatment is received. According to studies on high-rise syndrome, cats that receive prompt veterinary care after a fall have an excellent prognosis, with a 90% chance of survival even after falls from heights up to 32 stories1. However, the higher the fall, the higher the risk for severe, life-threatening injuries.
For falls from 7 stories or more, a cat has an increased risk of injuries like lung contusions, fractured limbs, ruptured bladders, and traumatic brain injury2. With severe injuries, even with treatment, a cat may suffer impaired function or disabilities. Soft tissue injuries like bruises, muscle strains, and joint injuries typically heal within 1-2 weeks with rest and pain medication3. More serious fractures or organ damage can require surgery and extended recovery time.
A cat’s prognosis heavily relies on limiting secondary injuries after the fall by getting immediate veterinary assessment and care. With fast treatment, most cats make a full recovery. However, the higher the fall, the less optimistic the prognosis, as cats can sustain life-threatening, irreversible injuries from high-impact landings.
Conclusions
In conclusion, cats have an impressive ability to survive falls from heights of 10 feet or more due to several key factors. Their flexible backbone allows them to twist their bodies mid-air and spread out to increase drag and reduce the impact of landing. Additionally, their relatively low terminal velocity means they do not accelerate to dangerous speeds. While injuries are still common from high falls, especially over 5 stories, most cats can survive drops as high as 10 feet if they land properly. Proper first aid and veterinary care helps prevent any internal injuries from proving fatal. Overall, a healthy cat has a >90% chance of surviving a 10 foot fall thanks to their evolutionary adaptations for climbing and leaping after prey.