I usually pick up my 10 week old kittens by the scruff of their neck to hold them and they dont seem to mind. Is it ok to do this and if so how old is it still safe to pick them up this way? id imagine that you wouldnt want to pick up an adult cat by the scruff... is this true?
2007-02-02 14:07:28 · 28 answers · asked by Miso 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I hate cats. Now with that said, I don't think that's the proper way to lift such a small and delicate animal. Maybe I'm wrong, but it's just a little baby.
2007-02-02 14:10:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey There,
Well, it is ok to pick a cat by the scruff when we are young, but when they get and heavier it actually hurts them. Even though they are not wagging there tail or meowing it still hurts. When the kitten is still with the parent. The mom picks her kittens up from the scruff to different places. Also, another reason why you don't want to pick a adult cat by the scruff is because it stretches the skin and it also ruins their skin and fur. So try not to do that when the cat is about 2 to 2 and half months then you will have to stop pick your cat from the scruff. Okay. Well, good luck. Bye.
2007-02-02 14:30:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's ok to take a cat by the scruff, just do it easily, you don't want to hurt your cat. As far as holding an adult cat like that, be very gentle. As the cat gets older and bigger, the heavier the cat gets. It's more stress and pain on the cat. I always hold the hind legs if I scruff an adult cat. That way, you support it's weight so it won't hurt his neck or neck skin. It's ok to scruff a cat, but not recommended to do it all of the time for shits -n- giggles. Just do it when you have to give it medicine or take it's temp, or bandage a wound.
2007-02-02 14:17:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this situation it is far better to do a quick scruff to the back of the neck than letting her get cold if she goes outside. I have a big 14lb cat and we have to do the occasional scruff to him in certain situations. It does not hurt him and he never seems to mind. As long as you don't keep him dangling in a scruff for a long time. Maybe 5 to 10 seconds maximum if his whole body is off the ground. Sometimes with an agressive cat it is the only quick way as they immediately go completely passive when scruffed. It is a reflex action from when they were carried about by their mothers. My vet says it is okay and sometimes we have to do it at the vets so that the vet can get a good look at him.
2016-05-23 21:58:40 · answer #4 · answered by Darlene 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Picking up the scruff is ok while young, but an older cat may not appreciate that kind of lift. The proper way to pick up a cat is to scoop one hand under the chest, near the front legs, and the other hand to cup and lift the rear legs, so that both hands hold the cat.
Good luck.
2007-02-02 14:13:23 · answer #5 · answered by Unforgiven Shadow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is fine to pick up a kitten by their scruff, but don't pinch - use your whole hand.
Adult cats sometimes need to be scruffed when they are scared, upset or have to have meds or something done they don't like and you need total control. Usually though you have the cat supported in another way as well.
Cats still can scratch when they are scruffed. So dont rely on it totally. Have had to carry a cat, tucked under my arm, one hand holding his front legs and scruffing him. All firmly without hurting him. He had a number of issues and was unpredictable.
2007-02-02 16:41:02 · answer #6 · answered by Feline Female 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! It is one thing when mama kitty picks up one of her offspring this way, but humans should not do this - you can injure the kitten. Adult cats especially should never be lifted by the scruff of the neck.
2007-02-02 15:39:43 · answer #7 · answered by Killertiel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is ok to pick up the kittens this way - the exact way their mother does when moving them. This also works in picking up an adult cat - tame or wild (if you can get to it) as if done properly (tightly, behind the ears - not strangling them, but definitely putting pressure) - - it rather paralizes them for the moment as their body hangs down vertically - if an adult stray cat, as I have experienced in trying to find a foster homes, and not done properly, you may get scratched from their rear claws coming up at you, so if the cat is not tame, you may want to wear gloves.
2007-02-02 14:21:00 · answer #8 · answered by vat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kittens will soon be big enough that you shouldn't carry them around by the scruff. You can scruff and adult cat to calm it, give it medication etc. and you don't carry one around that way without supporting the rest of its body.
2007-02-02 14:13:21 · answer #9 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say yes, it's alright to do that. It's the way, mothers carry the kittens around weather, it be a domestic or wild cat of some sort. I don't know, if you should pick them up that way, in adulthood, though. It's I'm sure best, to scoop them up, rather than the other method of doing picking them up..
2007-02-02 14:28:59 · answer #10 · answered by Judy B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is totally fine to pick them up this way. You can do so for a rather long time as long as you use you other hand to support the weight of their body. I have a 6 year old cat and I still pick her up that way, but only when I give her a bath, so she doesn't run away.
2007-02-02 14:12:23 · answer #11 · answered by Mike C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋