High-Rise Syndrome

If it were true that cats always land on their feet, there wouldn't be a name for the behavior that often leads to injury. High-rise syndrome describes what sometimes occurs when a cat becomes so focused on an object of interest -- an insect or bird, for example -- that she tumbles from a windowsill, balcony, or terrace that is two or more stories high. Even if a kitty manages to land on her feet, she can still be seriously injured, sometimes fatally. Keep your cat safe by enclosing all upper story windows, balconies, and decks with tight-fitting screens or security netting. If that's not possible, those areas should be off limits.