is it better to lift a cat by the scruff of its neck or beneath its stomach?

Answer 1

If you are picking it up to hold it put one hand under its front legs and one hand under its butt. If you are trying to break up a cat fight or something to that nature pick it up by the scruff of the neck. Mothers pick them up this way and it makes them almost limp when you do it. However you shouldn't hold an adult cat this way because it can hurt them. Their neck cannot support the weight of the whole cat for very long.

Answer 2

scruff of its neck only if its a kitten, after that, when the cat grows and puts on weight, it's actually dangerous to lift it by the scruff of its neck. Beneath its stomach is a better option...

Answer 3

NEVER, NEVER, EVER LIFT AN ADULT CAT BY THE SCRUFF OF ITS NECK!!!

Mother cats carry their kittens around in their mouth using the rear scruff of their kittens' necks. The only reason they can do this is because a kitten's neck scruff can support its weight. Kittens are obviously significanly lighter than adult cats. In no way, shape or form can an adult cat's weight be supported by the scruff of its neck. The proper way to pick up an adult cat or a kitten older than 12 weeks is by placing one arm under the front quarters and your other arm under the rear quarters. Do not put pressure on the belly as your cat will find this uncomfortable or painful. Some cats love to be picked up and cuddled. Others dislike it entirely. Follow your cat's lead. And please remember, even cats that don't mind being picked up and held, will eventually wish to be released. Never restrain a cat that no longer wishes to be held (unless of course you're trying to hold it long enough to shove it in its carrier for a trip to the vet!) You will likely be bitten or scratched!

Answer 4

As an everyday thing I personally couldn't lift my cats by the scruff of the neck - I hope that's not what you mean though and in these situations I don't think it would be very comfortable at all. I've seen vets do it to get cats from one place to another but other than that I don't think that needs to be done. It can't be that comfortable. Holding it properly with both arms, or under one arm, seems to be what mine are most comfortable with, though I've never lifted them otherwise.

Answer 5

from under the stomach.
there aint really a need 2 lift it by the scruff of the neck,
vets sometimes do if the cat is vicious but only if they need to check for lumps on the stomach as cats dot like there stomachs been touched (usually)
so yes beneath its stomach :D x

Answer 6

By the scruff of it's neck. If you watch a cat with it's kittens, when she picks them up by the scruff they stay still. If you do that with your cat, it feels safe like it did with it's mother. If you pick it up beneath it's stomach, it tends to wriggle and try to break free.

Answer 7

Never, never lift a cat by it's scruff. a cats skin is incredibly fragile and cannot support the weight of an adult cat for any amount of time. I always lift my cat by placing one hand under his breastbone (coming in from behind the leg) and one hand under his bum. It's gentle and secure and the cat is more likely to be relaxed about be picked up.

Answer 8

under the tummy with one hand and the back of the legs so they dont dangle with the other. Mind you I have been known to grab his lordship by the scruff if he has to go to the vet and its the only way to catch him. They dont fight wen youve got them by the scruff.

Answer 9

The stomach is better. A cat's mother knows EXACTLY where to grab her kitten's neck so as to not hurt him, and you don't, so you could end up hurting him very badly. Also, a grown cat isn't meant to be held up by that little bit of skin.

Answer 10

Under its stomach. only kittens should be lifted by there scruff because they are much lighter.