Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

How to cat-proof your balcony before the unthinkable happens

Tips to keep your kitty safe while on the balcony

Paige Cerulli
By
Stray cat outside
Pathara Sanjou/Shutterstock

It’s tempting to spend some time outside with your cat whenever the weather is nice, and taking your cat outside can give him a nice break from indoor-only life. If you love to spend time on your balcony, it’s natural to consider letting your cat join you, but balconies can be dangerous for cats. In addition to the potential for a fall, balconies have several other risks that you might not be aware of. Understanding how to cat-proof a balcony can help you to make the space safer, so you and your cat can spend a little time outside together.

Cat sitting on a sunny balcony railing
fietzfotos/Pixabay

Will a cat jump off a balcony?

Balconies can be very dangerous for cats because of the possibility of “high-rise syndrome.” Always Compassionate Veterinary Care explains that high-rise syndrome refers to the occurrence of cats falling out of high-rise buildings and needing veterinary treatment. The term originates when the Animal Medical Center in New York City treated more than 100 cats who fell out of high-rise windows. That occurred during just five months in the 1980s and highlights the fact that cats can and do fall out of high structures.

Recommended Videos

Unfortunately, the same risk affects cats who are on balconies. Cats don’t fear heights, and they do fall off of balconies. Cats might fall when they’re focused on prey, startled, or fall asleep on a railing and roll off. Slippery balcony surfaces are difficult for cats to grip, so cats can fall easily.

Related

While cats’ reflexes help them to turn themselves right-side-up as they fall, cats aren’t always positioned to land well, and if they fall from height, they can injure themselves. Cats can sustain serious injuries in falls from balconies, and some cats won’t survive.

Orange Maine Coon cat playing outside
ottawagraphics / Pixabay

How do I keep my cat from falling off the balcony?

Pet MD recommends that you consider screening in your balcony to help prevent your cat from falling or escaping. A protective screening will need to run from the floor to the ceiling of your balcony, and it will need to be strong enough so that your cat can climb and claw at it without it tearing.

Hairless cat wearing a harness outside
Ryan Chen/Unsplash

Will my cat be safe on a balcony?

Even if your cat doesn’t fall off of a balcony, the space holds other potential dangers that you need to be aware of. Pet MD highlights that if your cat falls or escapes through the balcony rails, you might have trouble catching him, and he could run away and get lost.

There are other dangers to look for, too. Your cat could be stung by a bee or wasp while outside. If you’re grilling on the balcony, you’ll need to be extra careful to keep your cat a safe distance from the grill. And if you grow plants on the balcony, make sure that none of those plants are toxic to cats.

Black cat lying on a table with plants on a balcony
VR_Fotografie/Pixabay

Why do cats love heights so much?

According to cat behavior experts, cats are inclined to spend their time lounging on balconies because they enjoy having a good vantage point. Cats are instinctively hard-wired to protect themselves from predators, and having the high ground ensures they’re able to sleep peacefully without worrying about being attacked by wildlife.

Additionally, having the height advantage allows them to spot any potential predators before they’re in danger. While this is an intelligent survival mechanism for feral cats, it means our frisky feline friends want to spend time where they probably shouldn’t, like at the top of your Christmas tree.

Calico cat climbing in a tree
minka2507/Pixabay

Can I trust my cat not to jump off the balcony?

While you can’t trust your cat not to jump off the balcony, your cat can go out on a balcony as long as you’re prepared to safely supervise her. Pet MD recommends that you closely examine your balcony set up before bringing your cat out. Implementing the steps above can help to make your balcony safer, but even with additions like a screened-in enclosure, there’s no guarantee that your cat will be entirely safe.

That’s why supervising your cat is so important. You may want to have your cat on a harness and leash when you bring her out, which can give you a little extra control and can help to prevent your cat from escaping if she’s startled or feels tempted to chase any animals he might see.

Balconies aren’t the safest areas for pets, but if you want your cat to be able to join some outdoor time, consider investing in a catio. A catio is designed to keep cats safely contained and to protect them from predators, comes in many different sizes. You can buy a catio that mounts right onto your window, letting your cat freely go outside and come back into your home, or you can buy or build a catio that stands independently in your backyard. Whether you choose to supervise your cat on the balcony or invest in a catio, giving your cat some safe outdoor time can help to prevent boredom and give your kitty a literal breath of fresh air.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Lap time, nap time: Why your lap cat chooses to sit on you
Find out the real reasons your cat lies in your lap
Cat sitting in a lap

As a pet parent, nothing is better than when your cat decides to curl up for a nap on your lap. Sometimes it can be slightly irritating when you need to get some work done, attempt to move your fur baby, and they look at you like you've not only offended them, but also the entire domestic cat species. But it's impossible to say no to their adorable noses and whiskers, so you let them stay. Have you ever wondered why so many of our feline family members become lap cats? We'll tell you everything you need to know about why cats love to sit on you.

Reasons your cat loves to sit on you
Wonder why your lap is your cat's favorite place to sleep? Here are some of the most common reasons.
Cats sit on you because they seek connection and attention
Despite their reputation for being aloof, most cats crave attention, especially from their favorite people. Cats get lonely when you’re not around and will beg for attention when you are. One way they do this is by sitting on your lap; it’s hard to ignore them when they’re right on top of you! They also come to you for connection and love. Usually, a cat on the lap gets affection, so your cat may come to you when they want to be petted and feel loved.
Cats get on your lap because you’re warm
Whether it’s by the radiator or in a sunbeam, kitties love napping in warm spots. One of the coziest places in your home happens to be wherever you are because of the heat your body emits. This could be why your cat likes sitting with you. They may choose to sit on your lap because they want to soak up all your body heat. Luckily, it’s not a one-way street; your cat’s body heat and fur can help keep you warm, too. With your lap cat, you’ll both stay nice and cozy.
Cats sit on you because they trust you
Sitting on top of you is a cat's ultimate sign of trust. Cats only sit in the laps of people they really feel safe with. This is especially true if they nap on you. Your cat is essentially saying they trust you to protect them from any predators while they're napping. To build even more trust with your pet, make sure you’re not forcing them to sit on your lap, and you’re giving them the option to walk away when they want. By acknowledging their freedom and leaving your lap open to your kitty, you're encouraging them to trust you even more.
Cats like the way you smell and sound
Your body is like a white-noise machine for cats. They find the noises human beings naturally make, like breathing and heartbeats, to be very soothing. It helps them relax into an easy slumber. Your cat may also be attracted to your unique scent. Smelling you may make your cat feel safer, making it easier for them to fall asleep. This can also explain why your cat always seems to love sleeping on your clothes, bed, and other possessions.

Read more
Video: We’ve seen some weird cat sleeping spots, but this feline’s is the strangest
Ever wondered why cats sleep in strange positions? We have the answer
Cat curled up in a ball while sleeping in grass

Cats sleep in the weirdest positions — this fundamental fact of feline life takes over the internet on a regular basis. We've seen kitties in boxes, baby bouncers, and sinks, but we may have found the new best cat-napping spot. Ever spotted a cat sleeping inside a pot? You're in for a treat with this viral video.

sephera._ posted this hilarious recounting titled "Orange cat behavior," and it went well beyond the hilarity of the usual antics we see from mousers. It opens with an orange kitty sitting in a pot on a counter in the kitchen. But that's just the beginning. We get to see him try out just about every cat sleeping position while staying inside his snug hidey hole. The text says, "When your cat's favorite spot is inside a pot," and takes us through the favored resting contortions, including curled up with his head poking out, squished all the way in, and with head in and butt up. It doesn't look particularly comfy to us, but we don't have this cat's flexibility.

Read more
Why is my cat peeing on my bed? The real truth (and how to stop this gross habit)
Causes and solutions for when your cat pees where you sleep
Striped cat sitting on a bed in the bedroom

No one likes to ask, "Why is my cat peeing on my bed?" but here we are. It can be so frustrating! Noticing that your cat peed on your fresh-out-of-the-washing-machine sheets is one of the most irritating things that can happen. There are a lot of different reasons besides your cat just being a jerk that explain why she would do such a thing. Understanding the "why" will help you figure out what is really going on inside of your furry feline’s head, so you can then determine how to stop this unwanted behavior.

While many believe the primary reason cats pee on the bed is because they're just being sassy, this is usually not the case. Read on to learn why your cat has picked up this undesirable habit and what you can do to put an end to it.

Read more