What should you do if your cat fell down stairs at home?
It’s a horrible situation to be in but one that is common in two-storey homes. When cats are running around, they can become reckless, which leads to injuries from great heights.
If your cat fell down stairs, it’s time to begin following a set of steps to check up on its health. It is these steps that are going to make sure the cat isn’t hurt and the house is cat-proofed near the stairs.
Injuries can include:
- Broken Limbs
- Sprains
- Bleeding/Bruising
These are just some of the injuries a cat may end up dealing with as soon as it falls down the stairs at home.
This article will take a look at what to do if a cat fell down stairs at home, preventative measures to take, and the importance of getting the cat checked up immediately.
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Tips to Follow If Cat Fell Down Stairs
Tip #1: Set Up a Stair Gate Immediately
Preventative measures are imperative when it comes to protecting your cat.
It can become a natural instinct to hurtle down the stairs as soon as they smell food or want to go run into another part of the house. This is why simple training isn’t always going to cut it, especially if you are working with a younger cat.
The best solution is to set up a stair gate at the bottom or top of the steps.
This is a solution that is going to keep the cat safe as it won’t be able to jump onto the stairs and start rushing down. Unfortunately, it is during this rush that cats end up getting injured and/or falling.
By having a stair gate in place, you are going to know the cat will be kept away from the steps for as long as you want. The right gate is going to be made in a way where it is next to impossible for the cat to get through and/or over easily.
Tip #2: Check for Injuries
Let’s assume your cat fell down stairs and it’s only been a few minutes or hours.
This is the perfect time to go through a DIY inspection to see how the cat is doing. If there is a clear cut/bruise then it might be time to look for additional medical attention.
A cat that has become hurt may be dealing with other injuries that are only going to worsen as time goes on. This is why vets will often recommend having an injured cat brought into the clinic during the same day and within hours if possible.
This is an emergency situation, especially if the cat is younger.
It’s also recommended to check for how the cat is walking/running around the house.
An injured cat is going to be one that may have a limp or may not be moving the way it normally does. This is something you will want to pay attention to because cats often favor their injured area when something is wrong.
Remember, just because a cat is running around doesn’t mean it is okay from the fall!
It is still possible for there to be internal injuries that are going to worsen if you are not careful about treating them properly.
Tip #3: Visit a Vet for Complete Checkup
The best course of action is always to speak to a qualified vet.
The vet is going to have years of experience in dealing with cats that fall down stairs. It is a normal part of their routine and it is something they are going to know how to diagnose.
Whether it has to do with internal and/or external injuries, the vet is going to make sure to check everything and ensure you are alerted to a lingering injury from the fall.
If your cat fell down stairs, it makes sense to have a professional take a peek.
The vet is going to have the ability to look at x-rays and pinpoint whether or not the cat is in good health after the fall. While cats are resilient and don’t break down easily, you will still want to be on the safe side in this regard.
The medical bills will add up if an internal injury is ignored. In some cases, this can also put the cat’s life at risk too.
You have to be diligent and make sure to get the vet to take a look at how the cat is doing after the fall.
Tip #4: Train Your Cat to Use Stairs
If your cat fell down stairs, it is important to teach it to use the stairs properly.
Most cat owners are going to set up a stair gate and that’s wonderful, but it’s only a part of the solution. There are going to be situations where your cat is going to see stairs and want to run at them without a gate being present.
This is something cat owners can’t avoid because cats are always on the move and your timing may be off for a day or two.
This is more than enough for your cat to get hurt!
To avoid a situation such as this, your goal should be to train the cat on how to use stairs. It is going to take a bit of time, but you want to supervise the cat going down the steps and using treats as a way to train it.
A lot of cats wing it and that is risky.
You can’t have a situation where the cat is running down the stairs as it pleases. This is when injuries happen and the cat ends up making a misstep along the way.
Tip #5: Place Carpeting Near or On the Stairs
If your cat fell down stairs, it may be time to take a look at adding carpeting near and/or on the stairs.
Is this the only viable solution to keep the cat safe? No, but it is one that is going to limit the amount of damage a cat is going to end up dealing with due to falling down the stairs!
Carpeting is much better at muffling a fall and acting as a safety net, especially when the fall is only a few steps. It is one of the better additions to your house that is going to keep the cat safe without having to restrict its access to certain parts of the home.
The benefits include:
- Safer Landings
- Improved Grip on the Ground
- Consistent Surface
If your cat fell down stairs, it also makes sense to think about their grip.
Yes, your cat’s grip is going to matter a lot. Imagine a scenario where the cat ends up falling down the steps and slides on the hardwood floor leading to additional injuries. It is an unfortunate situation that can lead to major issues.
By having carpeting in place, the cat isn’t going to fall down the stairs and is going to remain safe in the coming months. It is a long-term preventative change that is worth the effort.
Final Thoughts
If your cat fell down stairs, it’s important to take action right away.
It is a challenging spot to find yourself in and it can lead to a sense of panic. While it is difficult, you have to remain calm and focus on following the set of steps listed here. It is these steps that are going to ensure your cat is safe both in the short and long-run.
Otherwise, it’s possible for the cat’s health to worsen and for it to get injured again if ignored.
Be vigilant and make sure to follow the tips in this article. If you are quick to act, the cat’s health isn’t going to deteriorate and you can begin to train it to use the stairs correctly.
To learn more about how to help cats at home, go through these articles – Great microchip door for cats at home, top outdoor cat enclosure for home, how to remove cat poop at home, and finding the right pet gate for stairs.