Meet Bogey!
Bogey is a 2 year old male domestic shorthair cat who recently fell from his fourth floor Portland apartment to a ground-level sidewalk. Bogey’s parents immediately brought him to Pearl Animal Hospital for emergency veterinary treatment. Bogey survived this fall with minimal injury due to what veterinarians call high rise syndrome.
Since his skydiving adventure, Bogey’s lacerations and bruising have healed and he has adopted a less-risky lifestyle of chasing laser pointers, bird watching from secured windows, and following his momma around the house for some cuddling.
A Health Tip from Bogey
Many cat lovers assume that their pet would know to be careful at great heights. However, cats are naturally comfortable in high places and cannot understand the difference in risk between a one-story fall and a six-story fall.
Cats have evolved to be adept at hunting prey from the heights of trees, where they use their claws to grab the bark and secure themselves. However in high rise buildings, the hunting instincts of cats can work against them, and their claws are ineffective at grabbing concrete and metal. Many cats fall as a result of losing their footing while in pursuit of prey or play.
With high rise syndrome, falls from higher floors tend to result in less severe injuries than falls from lower floors. A higher falling distance allows the cat more time to correct its position for a more relaxed and natural four-paw landing. Cats have survived falls of more than 30 stories – but not without injury. Common injuries include broken bones, broken jaws, and collapsed lungs.
To allow cats to safely enjoy the fresh air provided by windows and balconies, please ensure window screens are in place and that balconies are secured. There is an increased risk of falling for young cats (less than two years old) and also during warm weather when windows remain open.
photo: linnea osterberg
