Cat In The Garden

To watch a cat move and play in a garden is a source of delight, but there are dangers. Cats can swim, but are not generally renowned for their ability in this area, and there are cases of accidental drowning each year.

The simple solution in the case of a garden pond, stream or swimming pool, is to cover the water with very fine mesh or to erect a barrier to make the area inaccessible to the cat.

Cats do have a wonderful righting ability which enables them to almost invariably land on their feet when falling from a height. However, vets regularly see cats that have been badly injured as a result of falls.

If a cat lands on an unyielding surface, it is likely to injure itself if the fall is more than 9 to 12 feet, which is equivalent in height to the first storey of a house.

The same applies if they fall out of trees. The most common problem with cats climbing is that they become absorbed in either hunting or exploring and end up on a branch too small to turn around on and escape.

This is when the rescue services are called in. Discourage habitual climbers by placing wire netting around the base of favorite or particularly dangerous trees.

However, the determined feline may just look for another tree. When maturity and wisdom have taken the place of adventure and curiosity, a garden can be a great place for sunning and relaxation.

Another sticky situation for an exploratory kitten. At this stage of their development, adventurous kittens should be supervised. Thirst, reflections and goldfish are all good reasons for cats to be interested in water.

They are not renowned for their swimming skills, however, and a net over the garden pond is worth considering.