What is the proper way to pick up an older cat?

Question

I have a nearly 21 year old cat, and I was wondering what the proper way was to pick her up. She is very active and is in good shape, but I fear I might be causing too much stress on her body to pick her up by her ribcage.

What is the best way to pick up a cat of that age?

Please, I want serious answers. "Tail" is not a good answer.

By popular demand (?), here is a picture of my kitty.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/obrysii/100_0366.jpg

Answer 1

Try positioning her next to you, facing the same way you are, and slip your hand between her front legs so her body is on your arm and her chest is resting on your hand. Most older cats like this, as it makes them feel secure. Make sure you noodle on her head with your other hand at the same time to distract her and let her know you love her.
Congratulations on having such an old cat!

Answer 2

Hi! You're kitty is so cute! Congrats (again - as others have said) for having such an old cat!

So, I had a brother and sister pair that lived until 23 and 21 respectively (they were also black and white). The male had horrible arthritis and the female had been just very frail. In their elder years, I picked them up under their upper torso (behind their front legs) and scooped their back end up, supporting their back legs - so their paws (and part of their lower leg) were resting on my hand. That was the most comfortable position for Squeaky (the 23 year old) and seemed to relieve some of the pain from arthritis. This position will also prevent cracking of any ribs. I know Sleepy (the female) would have been injured with just holding her around the ribs!

I hope that helps and that you have many more years with your girl!

Answer 3

First of all, allow me to congratulate you in raising up such a Grandamme of a kitty... wow... 21! I pray earnestly that my two would live just as long and longer and still be active like your cat. Gotta tell us here what you been feeding and doing to your kitty :)

Second, I beleive that the way you are lifiting your kitty should be safe so long as you don't press hard. I lift my 9 yr old with one palm under the ribcage and one hand under his bottom - between the base of the tail and his hind quarters. The palm under the rib cage is just to "prop" him up with the main lift coming from the hand holding his bottom. Then I put him over my shoulder the same way one would hold an infant. He always enjoys the view from over my shoulder.

Answer 4

I would scoop my hand under her rib cage and the other one at her butt to give her support and not put too much pressure on her rib cage.
Congratulations on having a kitty live so long!

Answer 5

First of all, she is beautiful, and you are so lucky to have her for so long...that's wonderful. About picking her up, i would just gently get under her body and pick her up, I'm sure she would let you know if you weren't doing it right. Hope you have her for many more years!!!

Answer 6

I have a geriatric cat too. I pick him up by putting one hand under his chest and one under his tail. He doesn't really care tho, as long as I come across with the chopped liver.

Answer 7

**Aww! Cute Kitty!**

I always pick up cats holding the back legs (as if they were begging like a dog) and around the rib cage.

Answer 8

I pick mine up by the ribs and support them under the hind end too. I don't know of a "right" way to do it, but they don't seem in any discomfort.

Answer 9

Reach around all 4 of her legs and pick her up that way.

Answer 10

i have nothing to say, just its so wonderful to have a cat live 21 years together, oh i wish to see a 21 yrs old cat, maybe next time you could show her picture to us, hopefully.