does it hurt a dog or cat if you pick it up by the scruff of it's neck?

Question

I watch a lot of animal shows and I have noticed that many people pick up dogs and cats by the scruff. Does this hurt them? (I think it would but they don't seem to protest)

Answer 1

When an animal gets older (not a puppy or kitten anymore) they gain weight and change proportions. Kittens and puppies don't suffer from being handled by the scruff because they are designed to be carried this way (their parents don't have hands!)

However, a full grown animal can suffer serious damage from being handled this way. The weight and proportions are such that they can end up with damage to the neck, trachea, or any other delicate part of the throat and neck.

Answer 2

It serves many purposes for both the animal and its owner. Although not generally advised for humans due to the potential for injuring your pet, grasping an animal by the scruff of its neck promotes submissive behaviour in the animal. This is a natural behaviour that is learned by kittens and puppies during the neonatal period. Scruffing is used by a mother to pick up her kittens/puppies. A mother cat picks up her kittens by the scruff of their neck to carry them from one place to another. You may notice as the baby is lifted off the ground, it automatically becomes limp and the animal seems immobilized as it is being carried. This is a natural reflex of neonatal animals and helps facilitate the transporting process. When the kitten is released, the mother cat will lick her kitten to comfort it. As the animal ages, it will continue to be submissive when held by the scruff. In general, dogs and cats should not be lifted primarily by the scruff of the neck because it is a dominant behaviour. They should be lifted with two hands to support the weight – i.e. one under the animal’s arms, and the other under the rump. Particularly, as the animal ages and gets larger, it should not be lifted off the ground using only its scruff because the heavy weight of the rest of the body will cause excess strain on the loose skin and may be painful. In adult animals, scruffing should be done gently for training or restraint purposes, and only by those that know what they are doing. It would be best to consult a trainer or your veterinarian for a demonstration. Scruffing is used as a form of communication between animals and is an indication of dominance. For example, when two dogs are fighting, the dominant dog may grab the other by the scruff, telling the other dog that he is the dominant one. Dominance is also demonstrated by other behaviours as well, such as direct stares or mounting behaviour. Another example where scruffing is used as a form of communication would be when a mother dog disciplines her puppy when it is misbehaving. She will glare at the puppy, then scruff and shake for a quick moment to make it clear that the behaviour was inappropriate.

Answer 3

depends on the size of the animal. Naturally, the mother of an animal will pick up its pups or kittens by the scruff to transport them, and durring mating toms will hold females to calm them. Holding animals by the scruff sends off calming signals, thats why when you pick up a kitten by the sruff it'll curl up and be quiet. If it is a full grown animal it is not safe to do it. It can harm an animal, depending on its weight (dont do it if theyre fat) but otherwise, no, it does not.

Answer 4

No it doesn't actually. Believe it or not it can actually have a calming effect and thats because its what there mother does when there younger. ya know, when u see like a cat carrying her babys somewhere to safety if shes in a hurry thats what she will do. By grabbing them on the scruff of the neck, they just think of it as ok "where we going now?" sorta thing! hope this helps!

Answer 5

To be honest i dont like it when people do that but truly it does not hurt them. its like this, hold your elbow straight out and pinch your elbow flabby stuff, it doesnt hurt, its just extra skin.

picking them up by the scruff should only be done when the dog is a puppy because they are lighter and havent grown into thier skin.

older dogs would growl or bark because they are heavier and they have already grown into it.

Hope this made sense. 8 )

Answer 6

Especially as babies, the are designed for that (For the mother dog or cat to carry in their mouths)...so no it doesn't hurt them. As dogs get older, they tend to lose that and it's not a good idea, but with cats, it's ok...if neccesary. If you have to give a kitty medicine or anything like that, it's a good way to hold them without having them scratch you or get away.

Answer 7

no picking them up by the scruff of their neck does not hurt them. this is the way their mother carried them as puppies and kittens. in fact, when you hold them at the back of the neck, it tends to paralyzed them so they are easier to handle when it comes time for baths, grooming, etc.

Answer 8

No it do'nt hurt them . That is how you can get a better grip on them so they wo'nt get away from you . There mommies carry them that way all of the time when they are little . But they do'nt have hands and arms like people.lol sorry ! It is nature for them to be handled like that , its ok.

Answer 9

It depends on the age and weight of the animal. Older and/or heavier animals could easily be injured by scruffing it. Puppies, kittens and smaller animals are usually okay.

Answer 10

Not if they are young puppies or vvery small dogs - it is a weight issue. Try it on a larger dog and you are looking to get bit.