It makes sense to want to share your favourite area to enjoy sunlight and fresh air your balcony safety pets, if that’s the case. Is it a wise idea, though?
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Balcony Safety Pets
Dogs and cats may find balconies hazardous due to the possibility of falls, burns from hot grills, and poisoning from indoor plants. That doesn’t mean your closest buddy can’t use the balcony, however. You may spend some time with her outside and keep her safe by following certain safety procedures and doing your research.
Can Cats and Dogs Fall from Balconies?
Dogs and cats may both fall from balconies, but cats are more likely to do so, according to Dr. Sonja Olson, a senior emergency care physician at BluePearl Veterinary Partners. Dogs and cats can both fit through balcony railings, although Olson notes that cats are more likely to leap onto and over them.
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Cats may injure themselves even though they have an intrinsic tendency to stand up for themselves, according to Dr. Lori Bierbrier, the ASPCA’s medical director of community medicine. She goes on to say that cat balcony injuries are so widespread that a phrase called “high rise syndrome” has been coined to describe them.
About 97% of 119 cats that had fallen from high heights during a four-year period survived, but many of them had catastrophic injuries, with 46% of them presenting with shattered limbs, according to one research.
Furthermore, harm may be done to a balcony even if it is not particularly tall. Olson asserts, “People might not believe that two stories is that high, but it is.” She claims that injuries may sometimes result from even a one-story fall, “especially with dogs, who are not as graceful and’springy’ as cats.”
Balcony Risks Dangers for Pets
According to Bierbrier, the main balcony risk for dogs is falling, which may result in internal organ damage, abrasions on the skin, and broken bones. According to Olson, it may also be the source of soft-tissue sprains and face injuries such as fractured jaws, split palates, and damage to the teeth and nose.
Olson continues, “Even if your pet is not hurt in a fall, she might run off and get lost—another excellent reason to get her microchipped.”
“What makes a balcony dangerous is your pet’s ability to escape from it,” she claims. “Once they leave that area, for example, you have no control over what they may come into contact with or consume.”
The risk of falling is not the only one. Risks to watch out for include burns from hot grills, contact with poisonous plants, wasps, bees, and other insects, and having a head or limb snagged in a railing.
Can My Cat or Dog Go on the Balcony?
If you’re prepared to take precautions against accidents and keep a careful eye on her, you may let your dog or cat spend time on the balcony. Examine your balcony arrangement carefully before you go outdoors.
According to Olson, balconies with screened-in enclosures—like catios—are the safest. But if she can get out of it, these enclosures won’t work, so carefully check it for rips and holes. She continues, “Pets are clever escape artists.”
If you decide to go with a screened-in enclosure, Olson advises making sure your pet has a permitted dog or cat door so they may return to the house. Make sure they have access to food, drink, and shade from the sun as well.
Take a close look at any other equipment, including barbecues, that can pose a risk to animals. Olson adds, “Remember to take into account any ornamental plants that might be placed on the balcony and make sure they are not toxic plants.”
Additionally, according to Bierbrier, you should move furniture away from balcony edges to prevent animals from exploiting them as a jumping off point over the railing.
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Olson concludes by advising you to think about wearing a leash or wearing a harness while your pet is on your balcony. “Therefore, they do not fall off the balcony railing or go through the balcony slats if they suddenly pursue that bird flying by or the squirrel in the tree nearby.”
Whatever safety measures you take, experts emphasize that you should always keep an eye on your partner while they’re on the balcony. An animal may hurt herself in only one instant if they are not alert.
According to Bierbrier, “Pet owners can save hundreds or thousands of dollars by investing in supplies like leashes, harnesses, and other items that make a balcony more secure, as well as save a pet’s life.”
