Cats are astute judges of character and once he realizes you don’t mean to harm him, he will be much more likely to co-operate.
One of the best ways to hold a cat is head up, legs down and with his body parallel to your chest and pressed against it. In this position the cat feels well-supported and is not in danger of falling, which means he’s less likely to struggle.
As soon as the cat’s hind legs leave the ground, slide your free arm underneath the cat so that his hind legs and body weight are supported. This will make the cat feel safer. Make sure the cat’s hind legs are supported at all times and lift your cat evenly on both ends to ensure safety.
However you elect to hold the compliant, cuddly cat, make sure to always support all of the cat’s weight and never her hold her just by the legs. Again, the combination of his body weight and a sudden movement is a recipe for a broken leg.
Ideally, if you want some one-on-one time with the cat, grab hold of him and then sit down. Let him cuddle across your chest or in your lap. [6] X Research source In this way, he will be closer to the ground, which reduces the risk of falling or other injury if he suddenly decides cuddle time is over and he leaps off of you. If you’re sitting, there’s also less chance of you tripping or falling and thus dropping the cat. Everyone wins. Note that some cats are sensitive not only in how they carried but also where they are carried. A cat is more likely to panic, for example, if he is carried on stairs, where his escape route is a very long (and dangerous) way down. Since it’s not safe to carry cats on stairs anyway, due to the potential of falling, it’s best that you stick a cozy and comfortable space that the cat enjoys. [7] X Research source
Never let the cat’s hind legs dangle. Cats find this uncomfortable and may start to squirm if their bottom end is left unsupported. Don’t pick a cat up by his legs or tail.
If you must pick up a stray or feral cat, be especially careful not to agitate or hurt the cat, and wear gloves if possible.
This short introduction also allows you to assess if the cat is friendly or not. If he starts to hiss and spit, then it is best to use the scruffing method described in Method 3. But if the cat blinks lazily or even starts to purr, then follow the steps below on picking him up.
With the newly freed dominant hand, scoop the cat’s bottom up. Now the cat has all four legs off the ground.
If you’ve done this correctly, the cat’s head is to your dominant side and the bottom to the non-dominant side. In addition, the cat’s body should be cradled between your forearms, and he is pressed against your chest. This makes the cat feel very secure, and most good-natured cats are happy to be carried like this.
Avoid carrying the cat in your arms in spaces that make him anxious, such as in the vet’s office, on the street, or on stairs or ledges. [12] X Research source Remember that cats have delicate bones and there is a greater risk of cat injury if you move around while holding your cat, rather than staying in one spot.
Remember to never fight to hold onto a cat that doesn’t want to be held. You risk hurting the cat and yourself. Over time, as the cat learns to trust you, chances are that he will become more open to being held.
In addition, by using the scruffing technique, we can also make sure that the cat has his teeth and claws facing away from you he is less likely to hurt you. Note that an adult cat is too heavy to be carried by the scruff alone and that you should take some of her weight by sitting her rear end on your other hand. This will ensure that the cat doesn’t feel pain when he is scruffed and that there is no strain on his spine and muscles. .
Hold the skin firmly, but not with excessive force. Apply only as much grip as you need to lift the cat up and not more or less than that.
Never lift the cat by the scruff alone. Always make sure to support his lower legs and never suspend his body weight as this can be very dangerous and cause pain for the cat, particularly if he is older.
