Pet Emergency: What to Do When Your Cat is Stuck in a Tree

To you, that beautiful 30-year-old elm tree in your front yard may look like a charming landscaping accent and surefire way to guarantee resale value for your home.

But your cat doesn’t need to hear it from a realtor. She already knows—location, location, location. To your kitty, that tree is one big aerial playground full of birds to ogle from atop the world’s biggest scratching post.

Whether she’s compelled by curiosity or propelled by fear, kitty may find herself up a tree and you may find yourself at a loss.

If your cat trees herself, here’s what you can do to bring her down to earth:

Get the 411. Determine whether or not the cat is injured. Depending on the height of the tree you may want to get out the binoculars. If you don’t see any blood and she’s moving around, that’s a good indication that she’s not injured.

…Not the 911. Numerous anecdotal references tell us that if your cat is up a tree, call the fire department. While the unfurling of a full hook-and ladder apparatus provides a fun show for the neighborhood, the truth is the noise and commotion of the spectacle could actually drive the scared cat even further up the branches and out of reach.

Hang In There, Baby. Stay calm and call her name, and make sure she knows it’s you. Try to keep the activity around her low so she won’t be more anxious about her return trip.

Paws to Yourself. Don’t throw anything at the cat or try to reach at it with a pole or long stick. This will just scare her more.

Sweet Smell of Egress. Put out a can of her favorite, most aromatic food. A can of tuna will probably do the trick, but if you’re really concerned, you may want to break out that can of Alaskan Sockeye to tempt her down.

Fluffer Knows Best. Be patient and leave her alone. She’s probably more resourceful than you think.

Cover Your Bases. If you decide that you really do need to go up after her, be sure to be fully clothed in long sleeves and long pants, and bring a substantial blanket to wrap her in. She may be remembering whatever drove her up that tree in the first place and probably isn’t too happy about coming down. Even the sweetest, most loving family pet can turn vicious when she’s scared.