I know mother cats hold their kittens by the back of their neck but is it safe to hold adult cats that way.
2006-09-17 17:08:06 · 23 answers · asked by Leilialoha 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
My friends two little girls are CONSTANTLY grabbing the cat by his scruff. CONSTANTLY. That is why I ask because I didn't think it was a good thing to do for an adult cat.
2006-09-17 17:36:43 · update #1
It's not my cat. I would never grab a precious cat like that.
2006-09-17 17:37:45 · update #2
No, this is not a safe way to grab an adult cat. The mother cat carries her kittens like this which are much lighter and she also knows how to do it to where she is just grabbing the skin tissue and not muscle or anything else. This could really hurt an adult cat. Here is some advice from a 3 websites to support my answer since a lot of people on here think it's safe:
Picking up should be done with gentleness. One hand below the ribcage just behind the front legs, the other hand cupping behind the rear end, with tail inside the hand will help you raise Kitty up securely without straining her back.
Do not pick up by the scruff of the neck. Never use legs or tails to hold or lift, and be careful not to drop the kitty—right side up reflex does not often occur from that height!
HANDLING
Contrary to popular belief, it is quite wrong to pick up a cat or kitten by the scruff of his neck; this can damage the muscles. Hold the cat or kitten with one hand under the chest and with the rest of his weight supported by your other hand. Kittens particularly must be handled gently as their bones are fragile
Is there a right way and a wrong way to pick up a kitten? Is picking them up by the scruff of the neck appropriate?
Picking up a kitten by the scruff of the neck is not an appropriate way to pick up a kitten. The mother cat carries very young kittens that way when she is moving them from one nest location to another, but those kittens are much lighter than your kitten at home. The best way to pick up a kitten is to support them under their front legs and under their back end. That way they will feel secure and safe and are less likely to struggle.
Hope my answer helped you.
2006-09-17 18:18:45 · answer #1 · answered by Turtle 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Humans should never grab a cat, kitten or adult, by the scruff of their neck... mother cats know what they are doing, we dont and could end up hurting the cat.
2006-09-17 19:03:41 · answer #2 · answered by stef 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a HUGE weight difference between a half-pound kitten and a 15 pound adult cat, and an adult cat shouldn't have all of its weight suspended from the scruff of its neck. The hind legs and the abdomen should ALWAYS be supported.
2006-09-17 17:58:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No - I would think the weight of an adult cat would severly strain the muscles and ligaments if it were held in such a manner. There is no reason to do that, it seems cruel. What if it caused a problem with the shoulders (separating)? Try to get some info from a vet to pass along to the mother or try to give the children a "teaching moment" on kindness to animals and so they can develop some empathy. Thanks for caring.
2006-09-17 19:50:48 · answer #4 · answered by Lake Lover 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - but only for restraint - not to carry by holding only by the scruff of the neck (they are no longer kittens and will be too heavy for that). When I move my adult cat from one table at the vet's to another, I always place his head over my shoulder, support his feet with my arm and one hand while restraining him by holding him by the scruff of his neck with the other hand. This does not hurt at all.
2016-03-27 06:40:16 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Harmful. Very. The cat's weight is not meant to hang from it's fur. The scruff (back of the neck) is a convenient way to hold a cat immobile for pilling if need be - your vet probably does it that way, but their feet should be on the table or floor.
2006-09-17 17:13:50 · answer #6 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Are you holding it or are you lifting it? It is fine to hold a cat by the scruff, this is how vets and groomers restrain cats. Lifting a cat this way could cause damage, but it would be very rare if it did.
2006-09-17 17:17:49 · answer #7 · answered by Peace Lovin Hippy 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Always lift a cat by supporting it's weight with a hand under the hind legs. Never pick an animal up by it'as skin alone
2006-09-17 17:18:18 · answer #8 · answered by bcwestcoaster 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, since the the vet holds cats that way to examine them, I'd have to say that it is not harmful. But, on a regular basis I would say it can't be good, but I have no solid proof about that. It sounds like these kids need to learn the proper way to treat an animal, and maybe you should be asking this question of their parents and express your concern.
2006-09-17 17:59:53 · answer #9 · answered by Emjay 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It's ok, but only to pick up the cat and place back down. After all that's where they are vaccinated.
2006-09-18 14:52:46 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋