High-rise syndrome refers to injuries sustained by cats falling from heights, typically higher than two stories or around 20-30 feet (High-rise syndrome – Wikipedia). It is a common condition seen in cats that live in or have access to high-rise buildings. High-rise syndrome can result in severe injuries, however cats have a remarkable ability to survive falls from great heights.
This article will examine how high cats can fall and still land on their feet, literally. We’ll look at the anatomy and physics that allow cats to right themselves in mid-air and absorb impact forces on landing. While prevention is ideal, we’ll also cover first aid, treatment, and recovery for cats affected by high-rise syndrome.
Anatomy
A cat’s anatomy contributes to its ability to survive falls from great heights. Specifically, a cat’s flexible backbone, spread out body, and thick fur help it land safely. According to Wired, cats have a flexible backbone that allows them to relax and distribute energy from a high impact across their entire body. Their body can also spread out to increase drag and decrease speed. Thick fur provides cushioning to protect the cat on landing.
Terminal Velocity
Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object reaches while free falling. Cats can reach a terminal velocity of about 60 mph (Source). This is significantly lower than the terminal velocity of humans, which is around 120 mph. The lower terminal velocity of cats is due to their light weight and unique body structure. Cats have a flexible backbone and loose skin that allows them to spread out their body like a parachute when falling. This increases drag and reduces their terminal velocity (Source). The terminal velocity of 60 mph, while high, is not usually fatal for cats.
Injuries
Cats can suffer a variety of severe injuries from falling, even from relatively short heights. According to the ASPCA, high-rise syndrome refers to injuries sustained from falls from high places like balconies or upstairs landings 1. Common injuries include broken bones, punctured lungs, head trauma, chest and abdominal injuries, shattered jaws, broken teeth, and spinal injuries.
Broken bones are one of the most common injuries. Cats often break legs, hips, jaws and pelvises from high falls. Punctured lungs can occur when cats land on their chests or backs. The impact can cause lung collapse and difficulty breathing. Concussions and other head trauma like brain swelling are also frequent from the force of landing. According to VCA Hospitals, signs of head trauma include disorientation, lack of coordination, unequal pupil size and vomiting 2.
While death is certainly possible, even falls from several stories can be survived with prompt emergency treatment. However, the injuries may be severe enough to require euthanasia. Internal injuries are harder to detect and may become apparent later, so any fallen cat should be monitored closely and taken to a vet immediately.
Case Studies
There are many documented cases of cats surviving surprisingly long falls. In one example, a cat named Sabrina fell 32 stories from an apartment building in New York City and survived with minor injuries (Source: BBC). In another case, a pet cat named Sugar fell 19 stories from an apartment building, bounced off a canopy and landed on its feet. Sugar was rushed to the vet but ended up being just fine other than some minor bruising (Wired). There’s even a case of a cat falling 45 stories onto concrete and surviving after being treated for a chipped tooth and injured lungs (BBC). High-rise falls like these show how cats can use their natural abilities to right themselves and spread the impact across their body to increase their odds of survival.
Landing
Cats have a remarkable ability to land on their feet when falling from heights. This is due to a cat’s innate sense of balance and its special anatomy that allows it to reorient itself in mid-air.
As a cat falls, it is able to quickly flex its spine and rotate its front and back halves independently of each other. The cat twists its front body so that its front feet are lower than its rear feet. This causes the front half of the cat to take the brunt of the impact on landing. The cat also spreads out its limbs and relaxes its body on impact to distribute the force and avoid injury. Its loose skin and fur act as shock absorbers as well. Research shows cats can spread their legs out to increase drag and slow the speed of descent.
Additionally, cats use their vestibular apparatus and vision to help get their feet down and orient themselves. The vestibular system gives cats a sense of balance and orientation. Their eyes remain fixed on the ground as they fall, guiding their landing. All these instincts allow cats to skillfully control their descent and land on their feet.
Treatment
If your cat falls from a significant height, it is crucial to get them veterinary treatment as soon as possible, even if they seem fine initially. Internal injuries may not be obvious. According to VCA Hospitals, you should gently place your cat in a box or carrier and transport them to the vet immediately after a fall. Do not try to treat the injuries yourself.
At the vet, they will thoroughly examine your cat for signs of internal bleeding, organ damage, broken bones, and spinal injuries. Diagnostic tests like X-rays, ultrasound, and bloodwork help detect the extent of injuries. Based on the examination findings, the vet will provide appropriate treatment. This may include pain medication, fluids, oxygen support, surgery to repair fractures, etc. In severe cases, hospitalization in intensive care may be required. Cats who survive the initial 72 hours after high-rise falls generally have a good prognosis for recovery.
After a bad fall, cats should be monitored at home for any changes in behavior that could indicate emerging complications. Restrict activity and prevent re-injury during recovery. Follow all at-home care instructions from your vet. With proper, prompt treatment and supportive home care, many cats make a full recovery after falling from heights.
Prevention
There are several ways cat owners can help prevent their cats from dangerous falls:
- Install secure screens on all windows that cats have access to. Screens should be firmly attached and made of sturdy material so cats cannot push through them (1).
- Consider using special nets or guards designed to catch cats if they do fall near windows. These can be installed on the outside of windows (2).
- Use window blind cords that do not dangle, as cats can become tangled in dangling cords. Cordless blinds are ideal (3).
- Provide plenty of cat trees, shelves, and other high perches indoors so cats have safe places to climb and survey their domain (1).
- Keep cats away from unsecured windows by closing doors or using baby gates. Distract cats with toys when you need to open windows (1).
- Consider your cat’s personality and whether they should have access to high windows at all. Skittish or clumsy cats may do best in a home with limited vertical space (1).
Taking some simple precautions can help keep indoor cats safe and prevent tragic falls. Cat owners should aim to create an environment that allows cats to climb while also restricting access to dangerously high, unprotected ledges and windows.
Records
There are some incredible records of cats surviving falls from extreme heights. According to the BBC, in 1987 a cat named Sabrina fell 32 stories from an apartment building in New York City and survived. In 2009, a tabby cat in Boston fell 26 stories onto concrete and survived. More recently in 2019, a cat in Minnesota survived a fall from the fifth story of a condominium building onto a sidewalk.
One of the highest falls on record is a cat that fell 46 stories from an apartment building in Chicago in 1972, as reported by Catit. The cat suffered injuries including a chipped tooth and a collapsed lung, but ultimately survived and lived for many more years. There are a number of factors that allow cats to survive these extreme falls, which will be covered in the following sections.
Conclusion
In summary, cats can survive falls from remarkably high heights thanks to several advantageous anatomical and physiological adaptations. Their lightweight and flexible bodies, ability to spread out and increase drag, instinct to orient feet-down, and muscular legs that act as shock absorbers all enable cats to handle the impact of landing without severe injuries in many cases. While falls from higher than 10 stories can still be fatal, most cats can withstand falls from as high as 7 or more floors if they land in a favorable position and receive prompt veterinary care. Always supervise pets near open windows or balconies, but take comfort knowing that cats are remarkably resilient creatures when it comes to surviving falls from great heights.