How to pick up a cat

Video: How to pick up a cat like a pro - Vet advice on cat handling.

Content

Steps
Part 1 of 3: Calming your cat
Part 2 of 3: Handling the cat correctly
Part 3 of 3: Freeing the Cat from Your Hands
Tips
Warnings
Additional articles

Taking the cat in your arms may seem like a simple task, however, it must be approached correctly so that the cat feels comfortable and cannot be injured. Before attempting to pick up your cat, you need to make sure that it feels safe and completely calm in your presence. Some cats require a more “delicate” approach than others, especially if the pet is wary of people or suffers from certain medical conditions, such as arthritis.It is only after establishing a good relationship with the cat that the time comes when you can try to pick it up, while properly supporting its body.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Calming your cat

1 Get close to the cat. If you want to take the cat in your arms, then first you need to approach her in such a way that she knows about your approach. This may mean that you first need to start an affectionate conversation, get into the cat's field of vision, or otherwise notify the pet of its presence.
- If you approach a cat from the back without letting it know you are approaching, it will most likely get scared, panic, and unsure of its safety.
- Some experts recommend approaching the cat from the left or right, as direct approach to the cat may seem like a threat to it.
- Never try to pick up street cats without first evaluating their behavior. The cat can be feral and potentially dangerous. It is best to only handle cats that you are familiar with in a certain way.
2 Say hello to the cat. It may take a moment for a cat to develop a liking for you, even if it is your own cat. As soon as the cat knows that you are approaching, you should show her a friendly and loving attitude so that she is ready to go into your arms. Most cats greet their relatives by rubbing their muzzles together, so you should do something similar, affectionately stroking the cheeks and forehead of the animal, as well as scratching the areas behind its ears or even chin if the cat is calm about you.
- Gentle stroking will help your cat feel safer and more loving, which will prepare her for picking up.
- If your cat is a little nervous, these actions will help her calm down. It just takes a little longer for the cat to relax.
3 Make sure the cat wants to walk into your arms. Most cats are usually able to give a clear signal that they do not want to be handled. While you can slowly calm and gain the confidence of a domestic cat by stroking it on the head, you should not try to pick up an irritated cat or a cat that is not in the mood to walk into your arms. If the cat tries to run away from you, bite or scratch you, or just give you a warning paw, you might be better off trying to pick it up at some other time.
- It is especially important to teach children who want to pick up a cat to recognize the warning signs. They should only handle the cat in a calm, relaxed state, when she is ready to confide in them. You don't want kids to get scratches from a disgruntled cat.

Part 2 of 3: Handling the cat correctly

1 Place one hand under the cat's torso, just behind the front legs, if you are confident that the cat is ready to walk into your arms. Carefully slide your hand under the cat's torso, behind its front legs, to provide support as it lifts. The cat may start to resist or disapprove at first, so you should immediately grab the cat with your other hand under its hind legs.
- It really doesn't matter if you place your main hand behind the cat's front legs or under her hind legs. It all depends on how you feel more comfortable.
- Some people simply move the cat's front legs together and grab the animal directly below them, not the body behind them.
2 Place your other hand under the cat's hind legs. Grab the cat's hind legs and butt with your other hand, providing them with a solid support from below. You can imagine this pickup as the creation of a kind of cradle by hand. Once your hands are in the correct position, you are ready to lift the cat.
3 Lift the cat carefully. Now that you have gripped the cat with both hands, gently lift it up towards your chest.Try to make contact with the cat with its own body as soon as possible when picking it up. This will make your pet feel safer right away. If the cat is too heavy to lift off the floor, it may be easier for you to lift it off a table or other elevated location.
4 Keep the cat close to your chest. After lifting the cat with both hands, you can bring it to your chest so that most of its body is in contact with you. The back of the cat's head can also be attached to your chest.
- In general, the position of the cat at the chest should be fairly straight, and not sagging with the head and neck down. Otherwise, the cat will be uncomfortable, and she may start to pull out and scratch you.
- You should always lift your cat so that its head is higher than its body. Never turn your cat upside down!
- Of course, some cats prefer to be handled differently, especially when it comes to your own cat, who feels comfortable with you. Certain cats like to be taken as babies, while others like to put their paws on the owner's shoulders.

Part 3 of 3: Freeing the Cat from Your Hands

1 Know when your cat no longer wants to stay in your arms. As soon as the cat starts twitching, wiggling and even meowing or trying to escape, it's time to release it. You should not hold the cat against its will, as this will increase the discomfort of the animal, which will also be accompanied by fear.
- Some cats do not like being in their arms for a long time, so if you feel that the cat has stopped enjoying it, it is time to let her go.
2 Gently lower the cat down. Don't just leave her as soon as she shows her discomfort; this can cause the cat to lose balance or to land unsuccessfully. Instead, lower the cat to the floor with all four paws touching it before you can comfortably release the animal.
- Of course, there are cats who will try to just jump out of your embrace, so you must be prepared for this outcome.
3 Don't take the cat by the scruff of the neck. Despite the fact that the mother cat carries her kittens by the scruff of the neck, you should not take matured animals in this way, especially after they are three months old. At this age, the animal's body becomes large enough and holding on to the withers can be painful and even lead to muscle injury, since the weight of the cat will be too heavy for the withers to support.
- Although the veterinarian may sometimes need to hold the cat by the withers in order to administer medication or to trim the claws, he should never lift the animal into the air from the examination table by the withers.
4 Be sure to keep an eye on how your child picks up the cat. Children love to pick up cats, but if they want to do so, you must explain each step of the process to them. And most importantly, the child must be large enough to comfortably handle the cat. If the child is small, then it is better for him to keep the cat in a sitting position.
- When the child is already holding the cat, be sure to keep looking after him so that you can tell him the moment when the cat wants to leave. This will help protect both the baby and the cat from injury.

Tips

Gently grip the cat with both hands. Do not lift her by the stomach with one hand, as this is uncomfortable for the cat, and she may begin to resist being released.
Some cats just don't like being picked up. Don't force them to do this. In this case, take the cat only when necessary, for example, for a trip to the vet, and probably once a week just so that she does not develop an association of getting into hands only with visits to the vet.
Approach the cat calmly and slowly without sudden movements. Then sit down slowly and let the cat sniff you.If the cat decides that you are not a threat to her, she will come closer.
The cat must be approached calmly and without sudden movements, so as not to frighten her.
When picking up your cat, make sure your hand is on the cat's belly, just behind the front paws.

Warnings

Always be aware of the danger of possible bites or scratches.
It is highly discouraged to take the cat by the scruff of the neck. If this procedure is not performed correctly, the cat can be seriously injured, just like you, as the cat can easily twist out of this position to bite or scratch you.
Do not hold your cat on its back like a child unless you are sure that it has nothing against this position. This positioning makes the cat feel less protected and even trapped, so it can panic and scratch you. For a more secure hold on your cat, always keep it upright against your body.
Don't pick up a house cat without getting to know it a little better, and never try to pick up stray or feral cats.
If you get scratched, wash the scratch with soapy water and use a topical antibiotic. If a cat bites you, do the same and see your doctor, as cat bites can quickly become infected with serious infections.