Is it mean to hold them by the kitten or cats neck like thier mother cat did.?

Question

I dont do it . Pepole I know have done it to thier cat's and I thought that was cruel. But they only did that if the cat or kitten did something wrong. I just want to know. They told me thier mom use to do it when the were babyies.

I'M NOT THE ONE DOING IT.

I treat my kitten like a baby. I would never hurt it in any ways.

Answer 1

Treating your cat like a baby is lovely! But do remember that a cat does have it's own nature. It's mummy lifted it like that, and mummy was doing the right thing.

Now, if the cat gets a little heavier....just support it at it back legs and it will be fine.

Keep treating your baby, cuddle it a lot so you might never need to lift it by the neck. But it might help by the time you need to medicate your cat.....

Answer 2

If it's being done to hold them still for medication or to remove a booger while all four paws rest on the floor, then it's fine. But if a maturing or adult cat is being lifted by the scruff of the neck, that means their body weight is only supported by the scruff of their neck and that's cruel. Mother cats do that with kittens because kittens are so light and have barely any body weight, but they do not lift them this way once the kittens mature.

Answer 3

I think it is ok for the babies because they are light. When you pick up kittens by the back of thier neck, they wiggle around like they are not happy with what you are doing to them. When you pick a cat up by the back of the neck they tend to freeze in place. It makes me think they are in pain. And how would people know what hurts cats and what doesn't. I've never met a person that used to be a cat.

Answer 4

it will not hurt the kittens, this is basically why they have extra skin there. Larger cats are heavier so is not a good idea to carry them around like that for any length of time, but doing it for a short time is not going to harm them. Actually when I worked as a vet tech we would use this hold for really wild cats to avoid being attacked or bitten.

Answer 5

In most cases it is cruel and uncalled for to pick a kitten or cat up by the back of their neck.The mother picks them up like that because they know what they are doing and it a natural thing for mother cat to do this.Most cats and kittens will give out a cry and wiggle to get away and the reason for this is when humans pick up a kitten or cat in this matter it hurts them.

Answer 6

No, it's only cruel if they're trying to actually pick up a heavy or grown cat like that. But when they are kittens it's fine. However for adults only when to keep them still when they need to be still, is perfectly fine.

Answer 7

They are correct, the Moms did do it, but humans doing it isnt quite necessary. Usually kittens feel more safe and secure when they are not dangling while being held by the scruff of the neck. Its isnt cruel, and doesnt hurt them unless they are held too tightly. But cuddling them is so much better.

Answer 8

It's perfectly fine to do this to a cat -- gently and firmly. Mother felines carry their kittens in their mouths. It is instinctive in the cat to totally relax when being held by the scruff of its neck.

I have a 22 yr old cat and if I have to clean boogers out of her eyes or give her a pill I hold her by the scruff of her neck so she doesn't resist me.

Answer 9

it is ok while they are kittens but as they get older and bigger it is not a good thing to do especially if you are just holding by the neck with no lower body support i just dont do it i hold my cats like babies and they love it

Answer 10

I dont like to see it.
When as a kitten the mother cat picked them up this way they were much lighter. Perhaps it doesnt hurt but why cant you pick it up under its chest
If it doesnt like being picked up why humiliate it why not just leave it alone