The opening of a tilt window has the shape of a pointed, downward-facing triangle. If the cat now tries to climb to the outside through a tilted window, an accident can happen very quickly. If it loses its hold on the smooth window frame or the pane, it glides into the tapering gap, can no longer free itself and slips into the trap more and more deeply when trying to escape the problematic situation. The consequences are difficult to picture: if the cat goes into that gap headfirst, it can choke or break its neck, it may damage its spine, bones or can bruise internal organs in the trunk area, in the abdomen or can injure its back legs. The blood supply can also be restricted. If the cat is not discovered and rescued immediately, permanent damage such as paralysis is unavoidable. Tilt windows are so widespread as the cause of accidents to cats that vets refer to this source of injury as ‘tilt window syndrome’. A cat who has had such an accident must be taken to the vet immediately.
