what is the correct way to pick up a 3 year old cat?

Question

my husband can usually pick up the cat to go to the vet but yesterday she almost hurt him and now my sister in law wants the cat to be gone i have never picked her up myself because i am afraid to drop her plus the cat does not want to be picked up she just comes to me when she wants some affection plus she sleeps with me at night in my bed so what can i do when i have to go to the vet for her shots etc without my husband getting involved? she came to our door three years ago almost dead and we were able to save her. also she goes outside during the day but doesnt leave the patio then comes inside when it gets dark i really care for her can you help me solve this problem please yahoo have always helped me i am counting on your expertise. thanks

Answer 1

Does the cat have a favorite snack and blanket? If yes, then put the snack in the back of a kitty carrier, and the blankie on the floor of it. There's a chance she will enter the kitty carrier all by herself, and if she does, close the door and off you go.

In some areas, you can get a veterinarian to make house calls, even for cats. Then you would only have to keep the cat inside, preferably in a place she can't hide under stuff (e.g. the bathroom) until the vet came and treated/examined her.

Answer 2

Carefully by the scruff while trying to support the back legs. If the animal is really opposed to being picked up all of this advice is quite meaningless though, maybe try to trick her into the carrier with a favorite treat or some string (this'll work a few times).

Good luck, and be careful not to hurt the cat and/or yourself. Cat bites can be VERY serious.

Answer 3

For a cat that doesn't like to be picked up you have to take a direct approach. Have a cat carrier handy (but not necessarily in eyesight) when you do this. Pick her up by the scruff of the neck (it does not hurt but does make her docile) makeing sure to support her rear-end. Hold her like this over to the cat carrier and place her in backside first still holding on to her scruff to keep her from bolting. Once you get her most of the way in you may need to put a hand over her face to get her the rest of the way in (she will back away from your hand and inadvertantly into the rest of the way into the carrier. Once she's in shut the door fast. I always had to do this with my cats and it worked pretty successfully. They never had a problem being picked up but didn't like the carrier and would always fight me until I figured out how to get them in. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Get a cat carrier. Get the cat used to it (put food inside, etc). When it's time to go to the vet, get the cat inside the carrier, close the door, and let the vet worry about getting it back out.

Answer 5

What's the deal with the sister-in-law? Are you "disposing" of the cat?

Use the scruff with one hand and support the body with the other. You should be able to get him in a carrier this way. Do it gently but firmly.

Answer 6

Well, with your hands. :P

Seriously, when you pick up a cat you have to support their legs...so you kind of cradle them. Never squeeze or hold on too tight or you're going to get clawed. Let the cat kind of sit on one arm while steadying it with the other. When you actually pick the cat up put your hands under the stomach and then cradle it. Don't snatch it off the ground....just pick it up calmly.

Answer 7

theres an area of fat behind her neck that mother cats will use to carry there babys when you grab a cat there they know its time to be moved and usually they will get very calm

Answer 8

the correct way is to hold it staedy with a hand on it's back and put you left hand on its belly and right hand under it's legs. then you just scoop them up