Sometimes you need to pick up and move your cat, for example to put it in a portable cage, move it out of the way, or keep it away from dangerous situations. How you pick up and move your cat depends on the individual cat's personality. If you know that the cat you are going to pick up and move is being nice to you, you can pick him up and place him on your chest with his arm resting on your shoulder. For cats you don't know well, pick them up and hold them securely. For fussy cats who don't like being picked up, you can pick them up by the nape of the neck.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Carrying a Good Cat
Step 1. Tell the cat your intentions
Never startle the cat or hold it suddenly. A cat will feel more comfortable in your arms if you talk to him and convey his intentions first in a calm, gentle voice. The American Humane Society recommends that you approach your cat from the left or the right, as they will feel less threatened from both sides than from the front.
Cats can judge your character easily. When a cat realizes that you're not going to hurt her, she's more likely to oblige
Step 2. Use good manners when holding the cat
While a good cat will be very friendly to you and feel fine when picked up, it's a good idea to use a good manner when holding the cat to keep the cat safe.
One of the best ways to hold a cat is with its head up, legs down, and its body parallel and pressed against your chest. In this position, the cat will feel supported and not afraid of falling, which means it will not move much
Step 3. Extend your arms under the cat's chest
Slowly lift the cat up so it stands on its hind legs. Embrace your cat with one arm to support its front paws, and gently lift it up and down.
- When the cat's hind paws leave the ground, tuck your free arm under the cat to provide support for the hind legs and body weight. The cat will feel safer.
- Make sure the cat's back is always supported. Lift your cat equally on both ends to make him feel more secure.
Step 4. Press the cat against your chest
This way, the cat will feel supported and not threatened. You also reduce the risk of dropping the cat through the gap between your arms. Your grip should be loose but should still be able to feel any tension coming from the cat.
Step 5. Rotate the cat
Use your forearm to rotate the cat so that it is facing you, with its front paws resting on its shoulders. The cat you hold will be safe in this position. You can also turn the cat around and hold it like a baby, with its paws up (close to your face).
No matter how you handle the kind cat, make sure you support the whole body weight and never lift the cat with just its legs. Body weight and sudden movement can cause your cat's leg to break
Step 6. Hold the cat
It's best to only hold your cat in a safe environment, such as at home in a carpeted room. If you're in a vet's office or other place where there's a lot of tall objects, avoid walking around holding a cat. Sharp differences in the environment may make cats feel insecure. The cat is also more likely to injure your skin or jump out of your arms if frightened, injuring you and himself.
- Ideally, if you want to have a face-to-face chat with your cat, pick up the cat and then sit back down. Let it rest on your chest or lap. This will keep your cat closer to the ground. This reduces the risk of a fall or other injury if he suddenly thinks that talking time is over and he wants to jump away. If you sit, you also reduce the potential for tripping or falling and dropping the cat.
- Note: some cats are sensitive not only to the way you hold them, but also to where you take them away. A cat will panic more easily, for example, if you take him up the stairs because he feels the escape route is too far (and dangerous). Since it's not safe to carry a cat up stairs because of the potential for falling, it's better to stay in a room that is comfortable and liked by the cat.
Step 7. Put the cat down
Lower the cat safely by first placing its front paws on the ground, and giving the hind paws a foothold as it dismounts from your arms. If the cat moves violently in your arms, don't fight it. Try to lower your body as close to the ground as possible and allow it to descend safely.
Step 8. Know what you shouldn't do
In general, a good cat will allow you to carry him. The cat will growl gently whichever way you pick it up, and it will delight your attention. Even if the cat is nice to you, you should also remember how to hold a cat gently. Cat bones are very fragile and cats can get injured if you are rude to them. If the cat shows signs of pain, stop immediately.
- Never let a cat's hind legs dangle. Cats find this uncomfortable and may start twitching if their hind paws are left unsupported.
- Never pick up a cat by its paws or tail.
Method 2 of 3: Carrying a Cat that Doesn't Recognize You
Step 1. Never adopt a street or stray cat
Also, don't pick up a cat that doesn't recognize you well, such as a friend's or neighbor's cat. Avoid carrying street cats unless absolutely necessary (eg to keep the cat out of harm's way or take a sick or injured cat to the vet).
If you ever need to pick up a street cat, be careful not to injure or hurt it. If necessary, wear gloves
Step 2. Approach the cat
Make sure he knows where you are by waking him up with a gentle caress and a small voice. Once the cat is stretched and comfortable with you, you can pick it up.
With this short introduction, you will also be able to judge whether the cat is being nice to you or not. If he starts hissing, use the scruff method described in method 3. However, if he just lazily closes his eyes or even starts to growl softly, then you can follow the steps below
Step 3. Insert one hand under each cat's armpit
Then, tuck your hand further around the cat's chest until you are gently holding the cat.
Step 4. Lift the cat slowly
Lift the cat so that its front paws leave the ground and the cat is standing on its hind legs in an almost prone position.
Step 5. Insert your non-dominant hand further under the cat's chest
Ground the cat's solar plexus (breastbone) with your non-dominant hand so you can lift the cat's weight.
With your dominant hand now free, hold the bottom of the cat up. Now, the cat's four legs are on the ground
Step 6. Hug the cat to your chest
Thus, the cat feels safe. Fold your arms in front of your chest, as if you were standing with your arms crossed, but with a cat in your arms. Grasp the underside of the cat with your dominant hand, pressing it against your chest, then move your hand to the opposite side. Make a semicircle: your non-dominant hand rotates the cat in a semicircle, with the head moving from non-dominant side to dominant side, making a semicircle that starts at the bottom of your chest and ends near your armpit.
If you do this correctly, the cat's head is on the side of your dominant hand and the bottom is on the non-dominant hand. In addition, you can also carry your cat's body between your forearms, pressed against your chest. This will make the cat feel very safe, and most cats who are good natured will enjoy being picked up like this
Step 7. Hold the cat
As mentioned in the previous method, it's a good idea to carry your cat if you're in a home or other safe environment, a place where the risk of falls and fractures is low and where there is no potential to frustrate the cat and injure you. If you need to pick up the cat and move around at the same time, make sure there are no obstructions in the path you are going through, and grip the cat firmly but gently. Move slowly and measured. If you run, the cat will be frightened, and more likely to wag and run away.
- Avoid holding your cat in places that make him nervous, such as in the vet's office, on the streets, on stairs, or in high places.
- Keep in mind that the cat you are adopting has bones that break easily and there is a risk of injury if you move around while holding the cat and don't stay in one place.
Step 8. Place the cat
As in the first method, put the cat back in its place. First of all by placing the front legs and giving footing on the hind legs. He should be able to jump off your arm without a problem.
Remember, never fight to get hold of a cat you don't want to be held. You risk hurting both the cat and yourself. Over time, as the cat learns to trust you, it will become more open to being held
Method 3 of 3: Lifting the Cat by the Neck
Step 1. Use the method of lifting the cat by the nape
An aggressive cat will likely try to avoid your hug by scratching. Both methods above are less than ideal for raising an aggressive cat. A safer way to lift an aggressive cat is to lift it by the scruff of the neck. This is similar to the way a mother cat lifts her kittens by holding them against the loose skin at the top of the neck called the nape of the neck. When lifted at the nape of the neck, most cats will feel calm and won't fight back. Some veterinary experts say that the method of lifting a cat by the neck can be used to control a cat for a very short time. If done correctly, the cat won't get hurt. It's important to remember that lifting a cat by the scruff of the neck is a controversial method, so first consult with your veterinarian for advice on how to do this properly.
- In addition, with the lifting method at the nape of the neck, we can also ensure that the cat's fangs and claws are not facing you. It will be harder to hurt you.
- Remember that an adult cat is too heavy to lift just by the scruff of the neck. You also need to support the bottom with your other hand. This way, the cat won't feel any pain when you pick it up. This is also to avoid pressure on the spine and muscles.
Step 2. Use your strongest hand to lift the cat by the scruff of the neck
Your strongest hand is the dominant hand, or the hand you usually use for everyday activities like writing or carrying groceries. Place this hand over the cat's shoulder, and grasp the loose skin.
Grip the loose skin tightly, but without added pressure. Grip only as much as you need to lift the cat and nothing more or less
Step 3. Lift the cat by the scruff of the neck
Lift the cat away from your body. Thus, his feet move away from you. If the cat tries to scratch, it will only scratch the air in front of it.
Step 4. Focus on the bottom
Use your other hand to focus on the cat's underside. There are cats who curl up when lifted by the scruff; if the cat suddenly curls up, put some support on its lower back.
Never pick up a cat just by the scruff of the neck. Make sure there is another way to support the hind legs. Never hang an adult cat by the neck as it is very dangerous and can hurt cats, especially older cats
Step 5. Hold the cat
Never move a cat by lifting it by the nape of the neck. Many experts argue that this method can hurt the cat and put stress on its spine and muscles. You can lift a cat by the scruff of the neck for a moment, for example to give medicine to a cat that doesn't want to. However, you shouldn't do this for more than a few seconds. You should not move the cat by lifting it by the nape of the neck.
Step 6. Place the cat on the ground
Never pick up a cat by the neck and let it go. Place its front paws on the ground, then let it jump off your arm.
Tips
The cats that are easiest to carry are the ones that are calm or sleepy. If a cat is agitated, it will be less likely to want to be picked up and may bite or scratch your skin
Warning
- If a cat scratches or bites you, immediately clean the wound with 3% hydrogen peroxide and cover it with a bandage. Cats carry the Pasteurella multocida bacteria in their mouths. These bacteria are very dangerous when transferred to humans. If he bites you may need to tell your GP, and if he suspects an infection (eg warmth, swelling, redness at the bite site), don't ignore it.
- Always pay attention to children holding cats. It is best if the child holds the cat while sitting so that the cat can rest on his lap. The risk of cats falling and getting hurt is also greatly reduced.
