How to get a Cat out of a Tree

It may seem like a joke, but cats really do get stuck in trees. Here’s what to do if it happens to you…

In the very first Christopher Reeve Superman movie, the eponymous superhero rescued a small kitten stuck up a tree. Now, it’s probably only a small percentage of Cat Diaries readers who possess the power of flight, so we’re addressing this article to the majority who have their feet firmly on the ground.

Cats love to climb, and being innate hunters they see trees as an opportunity to launch a stealth attack on the birds that like to perch up there. But on occasions, the sudden realisation that she is many metres above the ground can spook a cat, causing it to freeze and start meowing pitifully in a way that means, ‘I’m not coming down for anything!’

Calling the fire brigade is really only an option in films from the 1950s. In reality, the service is too busy to deal with such an issue, and calling 000 must be reserved for genuine emergencies. However, there are a number of things you can do to coax your cat down.

1) Wait
Most cats will climb down by themselves eventually. Keep dogs and other potentially fear-inducing things away from the tree. You may want to place a mattress or something similarly soft under the tree in case she decides to jump rather than climb down.

2) Lure her down
If your cat has been up the tree for several hours, and especially if nightfall is approaching, try to coax her down. There are a number of ways of doing this, including:
•    Using food – a can of her favourite food placed underneath the tree may do the trick. Alternatively, some sources recommend using dog food (both underneath and actually smeared on the tree trunk as high as you can reach) as it has a stronger scent than cat food.
•    Placing a wooden ladder against the tree to give the cat something stable to climb down.
•    Obtain a laser pointer (high-powered pointers are illegal in Australia, but the sort used in presentations and lectures would be fine) and shine the light on the tree close to the cat where she can see it. Once she’s interested, slowly lower the light down the tree, encouraging her to follow.

3) Make a DIY lift
Throw a length of rope over a sturdy branch near your cat (taking care not to startle her). A small weight tied to one end will ensure it falls back to the ground once over the branch. Tie the other end of the rope securely to your cat carrier, ensuring the opening is tilted upwards. Place some favourite food (ideally with a strong smell) inside the carrier and haul it up towards your cat to lure her inside. This may take some time, but once inside she can be carefully lowered down.

4) Climb up and rescue her
This is very much a last resort and your personal safety must be your main concern. Wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt and trousers to protect yourself, and TAKE CARE AT ALL TIMES. If you are in any doubt, do not attempt the climb. Either enlist the help of someone who is an accomplished climber or contact an organisation like the RSPCA for advice.

Climb as steadily as possible to avoid startling your cat and risk her climbing even further up the tree. Once you’ve reached the cat, take her by the scruff of the neck (this automatically calms the cat as it’s how kittens are carried by their mother, and it lessens the risk of them panicking and scratching or biting you). You can either carry the cat down like that or take a pillowcase with you to place her in.

•    Do you have any tips for getting a stuck cat safely out of a tree? We’d love to hear them!

Image by: Alex_Ferguson