Thread: Jump or Climb?

I've noticed that Larry is very much a climbing cat: he was always the one to climb up our legs and climb up the scratch post (hasn't tried the curtains, thankfully). A couple of weeks ago I was rummaging around in the attic (at 2am) for the spare bedding and before long he was up there with me - yes he had shinned up the loft ladders in no time at all! and refused to come down again - had to ask my guest to throw me a towel so that I could wrap him and bring him down - no mean feat at that hour of the night in party mood!

Anyway, my point is that he isn't a very confident jumper. He will jump onto the kitchen chairs or the low windowsill, but I notice he is quite hesitant and sometimes misjudges it, and falls down again. Sometimes he 'asks' if he can get on my lap, and when I say 'come on then', he just reaches up and puts his paws on my knee, but won't jump, I have to haul him up. This is exactly what I have to do with my old pensioner Barney. Monty on the other hand, long, lithe, leggy thing, can jump onto the kitchen worktops in the blink of an eye, with inches to spare (not a great habit, I know, training is in progress!)

Larry reminds me of our old Persian, Bob (RIP) who towards the end of his life lost all the spring in his back legs, and I had to watch his clamberings all the time in case he ended up dangling and falling. It's ironic really, as we got Larry to fill Bob's shoes, and there are lots of similarities between them, such as big character, intelligence, both solid black, like to be held 'inverted' like a baby. But I didn't expect Larry to have geriatric legs as well! Why can't he jump? Do you think he just needs practice?

Louie was a climber & I used to think there was something wrong when he did'nt seem interested in jumping on things like the kitchen worktops but I had nothing to worry about he's jumping on everything now, bit of a pain when you cant see the tv though

One of my boys has never been a big jumper,we reckon its because he is such a big wuss,he will now hop onto the window sill but where as all the others fly from basket to basket on the cat tree,not him,he makes the middle bed by going from settee to the window sill & then steps into the bed & looks very pleased with himself for making it.If you are still having a crawly quiet life when booster time comes round just ask the vet to have a quick check of his hips but if he can make it into the attic I wouldn't think there is too much wrong with him,I have only ever had one make it up into ours....

Harry is definately a climber, always has been, he will get anywhere but in stages until eventually he gets to where he wants to go. Although in saying that he is in the garden chasing flies (again - favourite past time at the moment lol) and you would think he was on a trampoline, superb somersaults !!! ;)

So far at 15 weeks old, Oscar seems to be a climber, he has a multi level scratching post, and he shimneys up it pretty quickly!! Not so confident at jumping yet, but maybe that wil change with age!

MC males are not great jumpers in general, but I will note that hip dysplasia can be an issue for MCs, which is why all responsible breeders should be testing for it in their breeding cats. I would suggest you make certain this isn't the cause of his behavior. It can be evaluated with xrays.

Here are some links I know of:
MCBFA Health Issues
Hip Dysplasia in Cats: Winn Feline Foundation
PennHIP Home

Hi
my maine coon is very clumsy when he tries to jump up any where. Always has been. I did read that maine coons prefer the ground. It could be cos they are so long in the body, like dogs!