Why do cats get picked up by their scruff?

Question

Most cats seem to relax when picked up by the scruff of their neck. My cat seems to do the opposite. He starts to cry and sounds as though he is in pain. I don't have the heart to pick him up that way but others who I know and who have done so to their cats and not had problems have also picked chevy up this way and he had the same bad reaction.

Answer 1

Cats are carried by the scruff by their mothers and when they pick them up, the kitten curls up and relaxes so it doesn't drag the ground and knows Mom is "safe". Most cats keep this instinct throughout their lives but some absolutely hate it. I have even seen kittens hate for their own mother to carry them. It just varies by cat. I don't suggest anyone carry a cat this way. The mother cat knows exactly what she is doing for one and for two, once they get older, they weigh more which causes much more pressure on the body and neck when held this way. It can be dangerous!

Answer 2

You shouldn't pick up an adult cat just by the scruff of his neck. I've gotten my cats out from under beds and all by using the scruff of their necks, but when I lift them up I support their weight with my other hand underneath them. Kittens are carried around by their mom by the scruff of their neck so it's an instinct for them to go still, but I imagine most adult cats really don't like to be handled that way.

Answer 3

I've tried many ways to pick my cat up by the scruff and she does the same thing as yours every time. She's an unusually petite and skinny cat, and I think the reason it hurts her so much is because she has so little extra skin. If your cat is skinny or small, this may be the reason. Remember, scruffing is to punish your cat, and there are other ways to punish them. If you are trying to punish him by scruffing, get a small squirt bottle, fill it with water, and spray his face whenever he's doing something wrong. This has worked very well with our kitty. Good luck!

Answer 4

There is excess hair on the cats neck to allow for its mother to pick it up in her mouth to transport them. It shouldnt' hurt unless you are pinching him without realizing it. If you try it again, make sure you are picking Chevy up at the right spot - above his shoulders and below his ears and support his feet while you do it. Don't do it with two fingers or that will pinch and you need to grasp close to the skin, not on the edge of the coat.

Answer 5

I know at vet clinics we scruff them because it is harder for them to bite us that way and because it also relaxes them. The skin on the back of the neck is looser than in other areas so it doesnt hurt them. If you pick them up to far down (like the skin over their shoulders) that can hurt them and make them cry out. But somecats dont like it because they dont have control of whats going on if they are scruffed. The worst cats to scruff are fat cats because the loose skin has been filled in with fat and when you scruff them it hurts because you are not only grabbing skin but fat as well. and fat cats can turn around inside their skin and bite too. Its amazing how owl-like some cats can be! Your cat may just be a talker and not like being picked up that way because he has to submit to you. My calico hates being scruffed because she hates being submissive to anyone or anything and she growls and hisses and cries because she wants down. She has to be quiet and stop fighting before I put her down or else she thinks she has won and will continue to fight and cry every time i scruff her. Well if you are worried about it dont pick him up that way but also when you go to the vet and they scruff your cat dont be upset if he cries because they are not hurting him and it is safer for all involved (including Chevy) if they hold him that way. Hope things go ok for you and Chevy. Good luck

Answer 6

both, sorta. it's not that it makes them sleepy, it relaxes them (as kittens it almost paralyses them temporarily). and it's the best way for them to move them, esp since it does make them stay still. adult cats can be calmed & stilled by grabbing the scruff of their neck, it's just not as effective as on kittens. (but don't try carrying an adult like this, as they may get injured cuz they weigh so much). my vet does this all the time when my cats' are too rambunctious during exams.

Answer 7

I pick my kitty up this way sometimes when I'm having a hard time getting a hold of him (he knows when he's in trouble and starts to run). As soon as I pick him up by his scruff, he goes limp and starts purring. It's the cutest thing!

Answer 8

All furry animals can be picked up by their scruff, thats how their mothers carry them when they are small. Maybe you aren't picking him up correctly. The skin should be loose and the cat should go limp...

Answer 9

If the cat doesn't like it don't do it. Mothers pick up their kitttens this way with their mouths. A kitten is very light. Try doing it this way with a heavy adult cat and I'm not surprised they don't like it! Try this website on how to pick up a cat.

http://www.petalert.com.au/faid/fa4.php

Answer 10

Could be tramatic experience in it's kitten hood. Also if your cat is heavier it may actually be hurting it. My cats have come to the point they don't like it cause they know I'm about to administer some sort of medication.