Picking up a cat may seem easy, but there is actually a way to do it correctly without running the risk of shaking it and hurting it. Make sure he feels safe and comfortable in your presence before trying to lift him off the ground. Some cats need a more "gentle" approach than others, especially if they are afraid of people or suffer from diseases such as arthritis. Once you have established a relationship with him, you can pick him up, properly supporting his whole body.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Calm the Cat
Step 1. Get close to him
If you want to pick up a cat, then you will first need to approach it so that it knows you are coming. You may be speaking softly, being seen, or just somehow alerting him to your presence.
- If you catch him from behind without letting him know you are coming, he is likely to be terrified and feel in danger.
- Some experts argue that it is better to approach from the side as proceeding from the front may seem too threatening.
- Never try to pick up a cat you find on the street without carefully evaluating its behavior. It could be stray and therefore potentially dangerous. It's best to reserve this kind of attempt only for cats you know well.
Step 2. Get acquainted
It may take some time for him to get comfortable with you, even if he lives at home. Once he realizes that you are getting close, you should be kind and loving towards him in order to prepare him to be held. Most of the time cats make friends with each other by rubbing their noses, so try to do something similar, perhaps gently stroking the cheeks, forehead, the area behind the ears or even under the chin if they are comfortable with you.
- These cuddles can help them feel protected, loved and ready to be picked up.
- If he is feeling a little nervous, they can also calm him down. Try pampering him a little first so that he calms down.
Step 3. Make sure he feels like getting caught
Generally when he is willing to get caught, he is able to communicate it. Even if you can calm him down and slowly gain his trust by stroking his head, you shouldn't try to catch him if he's upset or not in the mood to be touched. If he tries to escape, bite or scratch you, or if he starts hitting you with his paws, maybe you should wait to catch him.
It is especially important to teach children what the warning signs are when they want to pick up a cat. They should only attempt this approach when the animal is calm and relaxed and shows confidence, otherwise they run the risk of being scratched if they don't feel like it
Part 2 of 3: Holding him in the Right Way
Step 1. Place a hand on his abdomen, behind his forelegs, if you are sure he will accept being picked up
Gently put your hand on your belly, right under the front legs, so that it has the support it needs when you start lifting it. He may resist or dislike it at first, so you may want to immediately use your other hand as well.
- It is not important to use the dominant hand to support it under the front or hind legs. Use the one you feel most confident with.
- Some people grab cats by placing their hand under their front legs rather than lower.
Step 2. Place your other hand under the hind legs
Place it under your hind legs to support your entire lower body. Move as if you were cradling the cat in one hand. Once you have both of them in the right position, you will be ready to take it.
Step 3. Lift it up gently
Once you are able to hold it with both hands, simply lift it gently towards your chest. When you lift it off the ground, try to bring it closer to the rest of your body as soon as possible. This movement can help your furry friend feel more confident during these early stages. If it is too heavy to lift off the ground, perhaps it is best to grab it from a higher table or shelf.
Step 4. Hold it against your chest
Once you have it holding it with both hands, you can bring it to your chest in order to establish physical contact. The back or side of your head may also rest on your torso.
- Generally, it should be quite easy to put the cat in this position rather than swing it from its chest, with its head and neck hanging down towards the floor. It would be uncomfortable and there is a risk that it will fidget and scratch you.
- You should always take it so that the head is on top. Never hold it upside down!
- Of course, some cats like to be picked up in other ways, especially if they are familiar with their owner. Some like to be rocked like babies, while others still love to put their hind legs on the owner's shoulders.
Part 3 of 3: Put it on the ground
Step 1. Realize when the cat no longer wants to be held
Once he starts to shift, move and meow, or if he tries to escape your grasp, it's time to put him down. It is not advisable to hold him against his will, as he may feel uncomfortable and even feel threatened.
Some cats don't like being held for too long, so if you feel like they're not at all happy being in your arms, it's time to let them go
Step 2. Put it down gently
Don't knock him down as soon as you feel he is uncomfortable, as this may cause him to lose his balance or land in an unnatural position. Instead, return it to the floor making sure all its paws are on the ground before letting it go.
Of course, he may sometimes leap, freeing himself from your grasp, so be prepared for that too
Step 3. Don't lift him by the scruff
Although the mother carries the kittens this way, you shouldn't do this especially if your cat is roughly over three months old. By this age he will have grown up and could really hurt himself if taken that way, even risking muscle injury, since he will be too heavy to be properly supported by pulling on the back of the neck.
While this grip may be necessary when taking medications or cutting nails, do not lift him by the scruff of his neck so that his paws do not touch the surface of the table
Step 4. Be sure to supervise the children when they pick up the cat
Babies love to hold these animals, but if they want to, you must teach them every step of this process. Most importantly, make sure they are of the right age to safely pick up a kitten. If they are too small, perhaps it is better for them to sit seated.
When a child picks up a cat, try to keep an eye on it so that you can warn it when the cat wants to get off. This way you will avoid unpleasant accidents
Advice
- Some cats don't like being picked up. If yours is also reluctant, don't force it, but only do it if it is really necessary, perhaps to take him to the vet or maybe once a week, so that he does not associate being caught with a visit to the vet.
- Gently take the cat in your arms. Do not lift him by placing an arm on his stomach, as he may feel uncomfortable and fidget to get off.
- Approach the cat calmly and slowly, without making sudden movements. Then bend over slowly and let me sniff and study you. If he convinces himself that you are not a threat, he will have no problem staying on you.
- Try to approach calmly and without making sudden movements, otherwise you risk making him escape.
Warnings
- Always remember that it can bite and scratch you.
- Grabbing a cat by the scruff is strongly discouraged. In addition to giving him plenty of room to turn around, bite or scratch you, you risk seriously injuring him if you don't do it right.
- If you know he doesn't like being on his stomach in your arms like a baby, don't hold him to your chest in this position. He may feel insecure and trapped, panic, and eventually scratch you. If you want to have a more secure grip, always keep it upright against your body.
- Don't pick up a cat if you don't know it at all, least of all if it's stray or wild.
- If it scratches you, wash yourself with soap and water and use a topical antibiotic. If it bites you, do the same and consult your doctor; cat bites can cause serious infections in a short time.
