Important
Cats who fall from windows, balconies, or other heights may have internal injuries even if they walk afterward. Contact a veterinarian or emergency hospital for guidance.
Overview
Cats can survive falls but may still have serious injuries including fractures, lung contusions, or internal bleeding. Some injuries are not obvious immediately. A cat who seems fine at first may worsen over hours. Veterinary evaluation is often recommended after any significant fall, especially from upper floors or if your cat is limping, breathing oddly, or hiding.
When emergency veterinary care may be appropriate
- Your cat is limping, dragging a limb, or unable to walk normally
- Labored breathing, open-mouth breathing, or coughing
- Bleeding, pale gums, or collapse
- Obvious pain, crying, or aggression when touched
- Fall from a significant height (second story or higher)
- Vomiting, lethargy, or hiding after the fall
What to tell your veterinarian
- Approximate height of the fall and surface landed on
- Time since the fall and how your cat has behaved since
- Any visible injuries or limping
- Breathing changes or gum color if checked safely
- Your cat's age, weight, and indoor/outdoor status
- Whether your cat is eating, drinking, and using the litter box normally
What not to do
- Do not assume your cat is fine because they walked away from the fall
- Do not give human pain medications
- Do not force extensive handling if your cat is painful or scared
- Do not wait until the next day if breathing difficulty or limping is present
Learn more from trusted sources
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