Cat and balcony!

[alessandra27]

After a recent fire safety report of my building, residents have been told that we have to remove pretty much anything remotely combustible from our balconies (furniture, plants, bikes etc). The problem is, we have a cat who loves using our second floor balcony, which we have cat proofed with a reed screen. I worry that he'll fall off right between the railings without it!

Do you think there are any alternatives I could use to prevent him falling, or do you guys have experience with cats on second floor balconies, aka should I trust him?

Thanks in advance!

We once had a cat who climbed up onto the small opening part at the top of a window on the second floor and then launched himself out to try and catch the house martins sitting on the telephone line outside.

We only knew when we saw him falling past the downstairs window. Luckily he fell into the privet hedge and was absolutely fine. (Lived on to be 19 years old)

Never underestimate how stupid some cats can be.

What about replacing it with chicken wire? I don't think that would be considered combustible?

Chicken wire? A bit unsightly, but would keep your cat safe. Unless s/he is likely to just climb up to top of your balcony railings. We use it to try keep the rabbits off our deck at caravan!

This isn't a recommendation, just the first came up on google that had photos to give you an idea what it looks like:
www.amazon.co.uk/Kingfisher-WNETTC2-Chicken-Wire/dp/B0071MBNJW?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

What is underneath the balcony? I have seen a cat fall off a fourth floor balcony and just run back up the stairs to his flat.

My cat jumped from a balcony and broke her back. Do not trust her

This is not the point of the thread but what's the point of a balcony if you can't even sit out on it?