Someone tried to tell me that mother cats pick up their kittens by the scruff of the neck because it releases something in their brain that makes them sleepy! I thought that sounded a little strange. I thought they just did it to move them around. Which is true?
2007-03-06 04:10:49 · 13 answers · asked by Kassie 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
when the scruff is grabbed, it releases endorphins into the cats system, this is very calming to the kitten.It isn't really needed in domesticated cats anymore, but it is ingrained into their systems. It also aids in moving the kitten around.
Picture this:
A momma tiger sees something that she feels could endanger her kittens. She needs to move them to a safer place. Moving a couple of loud rambunctious tiger cubs would defeat the point, as their noise would show the threat exactly where they are and where they are going.
Mom grabs them by the scruff, endorphins released, cubs go quiet and limp, mom moves them quietly to a safer local.
It really is beautiful the way nature works.
2007-03-06 04:26:47 · answer #1 · answered by ♪Majestik moose© ★is preggers★ 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-03-06 13:15:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
mother cats pick their cats/kittens up by the scruff of the neck becasue it is the easiest way that they have to transport a cat that can not crawl or get away from something fast enough or if they think they need to be moved immidiately.
2007-03-06 12:23:02 · answer #3 · answered by Gidsswtgirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats the only way to carry them around safely. Momma cats cant hold the kittens with her arms LOL
2007-03-06 12:24:05 · answer #4 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not only to the kitten, if u try to move u'r cat & he doesnt want @ try to harm u, just do it like the way mothers cats do to the kitten, not with u'r mouth but use u'r hand to scruff of the neck, this will make u'r cat behave.
2007-03-06 13:18:17 · answer #5 · answered by ugly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just to move them around....the reason cats and kittens automatically "droop" when they're picked up like that is because it's a natural reflex in them. When Mama picks up her babies to move them, it might be because of danger so the babies don't need to be squirming around and trying to get away.
2007-03-06 12:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by Nasubi 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't really make them sleepy, but it invokes a response in the kittens to go limp so that she can move them to a safer location.
2007-03-06 12:34:40 · answer #7 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you will notice the kitten will go limp and submit to moms travel...Its called nature.
You can give the kitten a little travel like this and it will do the same thing.
2007-03-06 12:32:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's the way mother cats carry their young. of course, they can't hold there young the way we can, so they have to carry with their mouth. it doesn't hurt the young, other wise the kittens would scream in pain. you can pick them up like that too. try it it won't hurt.
2007-03-06 12:24:55 · answer #9 · answered by adrian_pinon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
None of my kittens have ever become 'sleepy' after mom carried them around. I truly believe it is just mom's way of moving them.
2007-03-06 12:15:40 · answer #10 · answered by GP 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋