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cats in fifth floor apartment

post #1 of 10
10/27/10 at 1:57pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys this is my first post, great site. What brought me here is my concerns for my two cats safety in our new apartment we just moved into. We live on the fifth floor, with a balcony. I've left the balcony door closed and the windows only opened a little bit because I'm scared my cats will fall out the window or fall off the balcony. My mother says not too worry but I'm not gonna risk anything. Am I being paranoid or am I right? What should I do?
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post #2 of 10
10/27/10 at 2:12pm
I think you're right. That fall will kill a cat. All it would take is one bird flying over the balcony while your cats are in a playful mood, and they could easily jump after it without looking. My cat ran into our window the first couple times he saw a bird outside. He learned to stop doing that, but there isn't the same/any learning curve with a 5th story balcony. One mistake and it could be their last.
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post #3 of 10
10/27/10 at 2:18pm
Hi there and welcome Could you not put any netting like a slope from the wall down to the balcony so you can still stand up and walk outside but the kitties cannot get over or through? x
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post #4 of 10
10/27/10 at 2:23pm
Its best to not let the cats on the balcony. All it takes is one time for a cat to go after a flying bird and your cat will be serious hurt.
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post #5 of 10
10/27/10 at 2:23pm
Welcome to TCS!

I'd be concerned, too. Cats tend to be naturally inquisitive by nature, and that can lead them to trouble. If you wish, I *think* there are way to safely screen in your balcony so they can have access to it w/o having to worry about them falling. If you have concerns about them managing to get out the screens in your windows, there is pet screening that is tougher. Otherwise, if you continue as you're doing - keeping the door closed & the windows only open slightly - with most cats you should be fine.
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post #6 of 10
10/27/10 at 6:51pm
I too would not let kitty go out on the balcony - In fact many yrs ago I knew a woman who used to let her cat go out and he did for years and years, one day he fell - and without putting great detail here - it was the most horrible thing I had ever seen.
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post #7 of 10
10/27/10 at 9:01pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all of your replies. I'm worried about the windows too though. We are going to get screens for them but couldn't a cat fall through a screen? or will it be ok leaving the window open with a screen there?
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post #8 of 10
10/28/10 at 12:22am
Welcome to TCS! Cats have been known to push through regular screens, so your best bet would be to install so-called PetScreen, which is available in home improvement stores and is much tougher than usual screening. If properly installed, it's strong enough to withstand even a large cat jumping against it.

Another possibility is to cut metal or heavy plastic trellises to size, and reinforce the window screens (from inside) with them. Metal fencing would work, too, but not look as nice.

High-rise syndrome, i.e., cats falling from windows or balconies, is unfortunately pretty common, and often lethal, so you do want to either keep the balcony out of bounds, or secure it with fishing net. Here in Europe many vendors sell so-called "cat net" to secure balconies and windows. Depending on the construction of the balcony, heavy latticework might also be an option.
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post #9 of 10
10/28/10 at 4:59pm
Welcome,
I agree with the other posters, you are wise to be concerned about a potential fall from a window.

We live on the 3rd story of our building.
I use pet screen on my large balcony screen and our smaller bedroom screen...
below is a link to the kind I use. It was available at a nearby store.
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/phifer/...een-15015.html

It's important to keep in mind that a screen is only as strong as it's frame.
Even with pet screen, I do not leave out bedroom window open more then 1/2 in. when my kitties are in the room.
I use a screw lock to keep them from sliding it open further.
When I am gone I shut all windows to be safe.

One summer night, a neighbor's kitty fell from her 3rd floor balcony.
My neighbor was convinced that would never happen but one warm night,
a bug flew by, her cat's instincts kicked in ...
over the balcony she went.
That poor kitty suffered several broken bones and was never quite the same.

Always with cats...
better safe than sorry.
Let us know how you solve your window issue.
Please make yourself at home.
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post #10 of 10
10/28/10 at 5:29pm
I live on the third floor. I do open the window in the bedroom but only after checking that the screen was sturdy enough.

I never let him out on the balcony. But I still worry sometimes.
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