How to Rescue a Cat From a Tree

Cats are naturally curious animals. These pesky felines can become enthralled with a squirrel up a tree or a bird perching in its nest and attempt to make the animal its next meal. The cat will follow its nose further and further up the tree until it becomes trapped on a high branch, too paralyzed with fright to attempt the climb down. This is when it becomes the owner's job to seek out a way to rescue the cat from the tree.

Things You'll Need

  • Ladder
  • Old mattress
  • Child's inflatable swimming pool
  • Work gloves
  • Long-sleeved shirt
  • Cat treats
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Instructions

  1. Ladder Method

    • 1

      Place a ladder against the tree and attempt to remove the cat yourself. This is not advisable if the cat is on an extremely high branch or if the climber is not capable physically.

    • 2

      Place an old mattress or an inflatable pool under the tree below the cat. This will give the cat a soft place to fall.

    • 3

      Wear work gloves and a long-sleeved shirt. The cat will more than likely resist the removal process and the covering will help protect you from being scratched.

    • 4

      Ascend the ladder until you are as close to the cat as possible, while still being safe. Lure the cat over to you with a treat. Choose something that is the cat's favorite.

    • 5

      Grab the cat by the scruff of the neck once she is lured over. Carefully descend the ladder and take the cat indoors.

    Other Methods

    • 6

      Attempt to lure the cat down with food. Talk to the cat and tell it that it is dinner time. Let the cat see you open the packaged cat food.

    • 7

      Contact a local tree-trimming service. Many tree trimmers will also rescue stranded cats in a tree for a price.

    • 8

      Wait for the cat to climb down the tree itself. The cat's empty stomach will many times be all the motivation it needs to rescue itself from a high tree branch.