It’s not just a proverb or a euphemism – sometimes it actually happens. If you’ve ever had to coax a scarred cat out of a tree, you know how frustrating the experience can be. But just think, as frustrating as it is for you, your cat is probably ten times as distressed, so here’s some tips to make the descent a pleasant one.
Start small and work your way up to constructing an elevator next to the tree. You don’t need to go straight to the big guns if a little coaxing will do. First, you’re going to want to be sure that the area around the tree is free of any debris or other objects that might hurt the cat if it tries to climb down and falls. Maybe even drag out a mattress to position under the cat just to be sure.
Now, try calling and coaxing in a pleasant tone of voice. Don’t yell! Your cat isn’t going to want to risk one of it’s lives just so it can be close to a drill instructor. When the gentle cajoling doesn’t work, go with food. Shake the food box, open a can of soft food, and otherwise entice the kitty to leave his/her perch. Maybe even rub some of the food on lower branches – don’t laugh, it can work!
When all else fails and you have to go up after the little whippersnapper, please put safety first for both you and your cat. If you’ve gotten to this step, then your kitty probably isn’t going to come down without some kind of a struggle, so protect yourself against teeth and claws. A pair or thick work gloves should do, as well as a long-sleeved shirt or jacket. Bring a blanket or a pillow case or a small backpack with you on your way up. When you reach the source of all your distress, you can wrap, bundle, or zip them up safely for the trip back down.
With any luck, a smart cat will only have to go through such an ordeal once (or maybe twice) before it realizes that being stuck up in a tree for hours on end isn’t much fun.
