As there are so many new kitten owners on PF I this worth a mention. Tall cat scratchers – great for the cats and the bigger they are the more fun for the cats We have a couple and wouldn’t be without them but we do restrict younger kittens’ access to them and step in when things are getting a bit out of control! In no way was it the owners’ fault but a third kitten I have had go to a new home within the last 16 months I’ve just been told has injured herself. The first incident resulted in a kitten damaging her spine/hip when she fell off the top of a tall scratcher whilst playing; fortunately she is now okay and was insured but she needed lengthy treatment and cage rest. She has, however, been left with a ‘gap’ between certain bones which shouldn’t be there. The second badly ripped a ligament; he wasn’t insured and the owner’s vet bill was huge. The third, just this week, is limping badly enough for the (lovely) new owner to be concerned enough to take her to the vet today.

I *know* kittens can injure themselves in just about any old way possible but this is something I’ve definitely seen an increase in with the advent of really tall scratchers and kittens aren’t as adept at ‘saving themselves’ as an adult cat when riotous play (especially with other cats) on a big scratcher gets to be a little *too* much fun.

I did wonder about this.Having seen some of the high cat tree's available on some sites it did occur to me that kittens could come to some harm if they missed their footing while high up.It isnt just the height that worries me its what they may hit on the way down.

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Me too - the 'what they hit on the way down' bit.. and that so many of us have wooden floors nowadays. I don't think one kitten playing on them is quite so bad, it's all the play fighting/wrestling at the top with other cats/kittens that's a bit alarming - they seem to totally lose sight of the fact that they're 6ft+ off the ground - it's how the first kitten I mentioned was injured so badly - just crashed off the top whilst wrestling with her pal

wow thank`s for the heads up...

Now am worryed about the tree I have in the enclosure....
Will just have to stay with while there out there.

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I know I need a spell checker.

Completely agree with you gskinner & Buffie

I have a ceiling cat tree, but had to take the height down considerably for the very reasons you state ... they get far too boisterous up at the top, and even though they are now adults, they could still hurt themselves pretty bad. My heart couldn't take the stress watching them anymore

I especially wouldn't have one if you're not home all day either.

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