Helping A Treed Cat

While cats are natural climbers, sometimes they aren’t the best at getting down. Here’s what experts suggest when your cat refuses to come down from his perch for a long time.

-Don’t rally around the tree: Just because your cat is out on a limb doesn’t mean he needs your help. He’d probably prefer you go away and leave him alone rather than begging him to come down. In other words -- give your cat some space.

-Give him time: While it’s not impossible for a cat to be truly stuck in a tree, chances are he just hasn’t gotten around to coming down. Most cats are fully capable of coming down alone. It is recommended giving your cat an entire day to come down on his own. If he’s injured, or has a leash that could cause him to choke, you may have to go after him sooner. The same is true if it’s getting dark. Cats in trees overnight can be attacked by wild animals.

-Tempt his taste buds: Putting some of his favorite food where he can see and smell it may get him down in a hurry.

-Mount a rescue mission: If your cat is really too scared (or injured) to get down on his own, the easiest thing is to get up in the tree and get him. If you can’t climb the tree, you’ll need a ladder.

-Don protection: A treed cat is a scared cat. Wear heavy gloves and a thick jacket to protect yourself.

-Go for the neck: When grabbing a scared cat, it’s best to catch the skin on the back of the neck. Most cats will go limp once you’ve taken hold and lifted them up.

-Make the first effort count: When grabbing for a treed cat, make sure you don’t miss. You may only have one chance to get hold before your cat goes higher, so make your first grab count.

-Call in the cavalry: If your cat has been in the tree for more than a day and you can’t get him down yourself, it’s probably time to call in the pros. Animal rescue services are in the yellow pages or you can call your vet for advice.

*These tips are home remedies only and should not ever be used as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your veterinarian. If your pet has a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical care.

Alice England
Makingstuffwithlove.etsy.com