The cat in the tree: how do we react? Who should I announce?

It could be said that the view of a cat in the tree is a view as natural as possible. This agile animal is equipped with an excellent sense of balance and strong claws that prepare it to climb. Why, therefore, do we think so often that a cat climbing a tree is not able to go down and should help go down?

The cat who has found the road to the tree can remain inside for hours, which makes people believe that they cannot go down. Particularly worrying is the sight of a cat that slipped from home and has never climbed up. Sometimes the animal really needs help.

Most of the time, however, it is sufficient to create the conditions for descending alone from the tree.

Why do cats climb the trees?

Cats have an innate need to climb, because, being at a certain height, they obtain an excellent observation point. In nature, this facilitates their hunt. Sofa cats instead, they simply like to control their territory. Even a cat that does not leave the house, once out, can be unexpectedly climbed on a tree out of curiosity, looking for a potential prey (a fly, a bird) or when she is afraid of something.

Why could a cat on a tree have difficulty descending?

There are several theories on the problems of a cat that descends from a tree. Of course, the reason could be the fact that the animal has been confused in the branches (especially if we wear the collar) or that it is sick and weakened. In other cases, as some suggest, the difficulty can be an anatomical structure. Compared, for example, a squirrel, cats have limited mobility of the joints and cannot rotate their legs so that they go down a tree, paying attention to the front road (a natural need for felines). From the places where they climbed, they usually jump. In the meantime, the branch that touch can be too high. The cut claws can also be a problem, because they are not used only for hunting or defense, but also for climbing and balance.

For this reason, cats of cats should never be cut when they leave the house. Above all, however, it should not be forgotten that a cat on the tree can be found and because she is afraid of something, and then it will go down only when you feel safe.

What do you have to do if your cat enters the tree?

When a cat is in a tree, the situation must be evaluated. If it is blocked there for a long time and it is obvious that it cannot be moved or exposed to other dangers (for example, if it is wounded or if it is cold), the rescue measures should be taken quickly. In most cases, even a cat that has risen to a tree is able to go down itself. However, he will not choose to do it if there are many curious people who comment aloud. The animal needs to feel safe, alone and silent. At most, you can talk to them alone with a calm voice or encourage him to go down with a strong reward. If you are worried that the cat will not be quite agile, a long table can be positioned diagonally on the trunk to facilitate the descent to the ground.

Who calls help if the cat does not get off the tree?

If we estimate that a cat in the tree needs rapid intervention, we can try to break it down, but this requires a skilled and careful climb. Otherwise, we can hurt or frighten the animal even more, climbing it on higher branches.

Therefore, it is advisable to resort to helping in such a situation. For example, you can contact a construction company that works in the area and has an elevator. The firefighters also intervene in such situations. However, given the problems they should face daily, they should only be called at the end, if all the other means have failed. The firefighters recommend that when you see a cat on a tree, wait at least 12 hours before ringing (as long as the animal is safe).

Even a frightened pet will decide to go down to meet his hunger after such a period. And he will do it without any help.

Laura Bugańska