Best setup to help my cat climb back up to the first floor?

M
Maria_fr Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

Five months ago, I moved into a first-floor flat with a balcony. My cat has now started jumping off the balcony (it's about an 11 and a half foot drop) to go outside, and he's clearly happy having his freedom.

The snag is that he can't get back up, so I have to go and fetch him every time. Just so you know, if I get a ladder, it'll have to be at an angle, so it would probably need to be longer than 11 or 12 feet.

Do you have any ideas for a setup that would allow him to come back up on his own?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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10 answers
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    • Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
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    I used this setup at a previous place: a 10ft plank gave access to a conservatory roof, which sat about 4ft below the kitchen windowsill. (For a very old cat, that 4ft jump to get back inside was a bit of a struggle).

    There is one downside to the system, though: I often had strange cats on my windowsill. It wasn't a problem at all, except when they were unneutered males...

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Otherwise, you could always use good old Y-fronts tied together—ideally in different colours to make it look a bit more cheerful. Just like Docline and @Del2244 said, a 4 or 5-metre board will do the trick.
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    LOL @ulalie, I love it when you’re like this! 😂😂😂🤣

    Docline, good spot! It’s definitely worth reminding everyone that it’d be a nightmare to get burgled because of this setup. It might sound obvious, but someone had to say it – it’s a valid concern! 😉

    Maria, can you post a photo of the front of your building (but not your address! 😁) and let us know what the other owners and the management company are likely to allow. Is there a low wall nearby, for example, or something like a utility box or a bin store on the ground floor that could work as a first step?

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Don’t you believe it, it’s coming back into style, you’ve got to keep up... a lovely pair of jeans with flowers embroidered all the way down legs that are 11 and a half feet long would look smashing! And they’d match the window boxes perfectly too 😁 My ‘scandalous’ past was limited to the climbing rope—and not even the knotted kind—no feet, no hands, and not even any teeth! 😁
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    It’s true that 80s blue jeans are a bit dated now, but fashion moves on and we’ve found other dyes (without needing Google). Mind you, if you’re determined to flaunt your chequered past, there’s really no substitute for experience – you might as well break out the good old-fashioned methods: knotted ropes and bedsheet escapes!.. Cheers
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Alternatively, you could always tie bedsheets together like prisoners planning a jailbreak! 😁 It’s basically a knotted rope made of fabric—or even denim if Courgette prefers, it’ll look much posher on the front of the house! 👍😁

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    A giant trouser leg, made of denim 👖 🤗

    Inside, you put a plastic downpipe; that way, it’ll be too light and worthless for any thieves.

    Between the pipe and the denim, add some padding so they can really sink their claws in—for once they’re actually allowed to! Might as well prioritise safety.

    I don’t know any cat that doesn’t know how to climb up a pair of trousers with disconcerting ease.

    Happy sewing!

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    If he’s an active cat, you could try a knotted rope that you pull up when you’re not around. However, jumping from about 11 or 12 feet every time is a bit risky; he could land awkwardly and injure himself.

    You can find plenty of examples online for helping cats get down from balconies, though you’ll need to make sure the building management or residents' association is okay with it.

    https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cat+ladder+system&tbm=isch

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    Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
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    A 13 or 16-foot plank—even a featherweight burglar wouldn't risk it if there isn't a supporting pillar in the middle. It's up to you to choose a thickness that will support a cat’s weight but nothing more (and make sure you treat the wood so it stands up to the weather for more than just a few months).
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    Del2244 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi,

    A 5-metre thick plank should make a decent ramp for them.

    But watch out for burglars, and forget the ladder—it's basically an open invitation, and your insurance company won't exactly be thrilled 😕

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