Elevate Your Cat Game! How To Pick Up A Cat The Right Way
If you’re a cat owner, you probably already know that picking up your feline friend can be tricky at times.
While it depends a lot on the cat, the whole picking-up thing is a challenge that’s been known to test even the savviest cat aficionados.
But have you ever wondered why your purring bundle of fluff might resist being scooped up into your loving arms?
Here’s the thing: cats are known for being solitary predators, but they also fall into the category of prey animals.
So when you pick kitty up, his primal instincts can kick in faster than a cheetah chasing their next meal.
Essentially, it’s a survival thing.
His “fight or flight” response goes into overdrive, warning him that getting airborne might just turn him into someone else’s dinner.
However, by using the right approach and techniques to ensure your furry friend feels safe and secure when you pick him up, you can avoid triggering his “run for the hills” reflex.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about picking up a cat, from the proper techniques to common mistakes, all the way to managing fearful or nervous cats.
By the end, you’ll be picking up your kitty like a pro!
Key Takeaways
- Understanding cat body language is crucial when picking up a cat.
- Gradual approach and positive reinforcement can help build trust.
- Making sure the cat is fully supported so feels safe when elevated is key.
The Correct Way To Pick Up A Cat
If you’re a new cat parent, or need to pick up an unknown cat, or even if you’re having trouble and need a little refresher, here is the proper way to approach picking up your cat:
- Approach Calmly: Cats are sensitive to sudden movements and noises. Approach your cat calmly and speak softly to let him know you’re there. Gently extend your hand towards him to let him sniff and investigate.
- Assess Mood: Gauge your cat’s mood. If he is relaxed and friendly, that’s a good sign that he’s ready to prolong the interaction. If he seems agitated or defensive, it’s best to give him space.
- Bend At The Knees: To pick up your cat, bend down at your knees, keeping your back straight. This posture minimizes sudden lifting movements that could startle your cat.
- Support Under The Chest And Hindquarters: Once your cat is familiar with your presence, gently slide one hand under his chest just behind the front legs and the other under his hind legs. This provides support as you are lifting him.
I am right-handed and find it much easier to place my right hand under the cat’s chest for lifting and use my left hand to support his hindquarters. You may want to experiment to find what’s most comfortable for you. - Lift Smoothly: Lift your cat smoothly and steadily, keeping him close to your body. This minimizes any swinging motion that could make him feel unsafe.
- Hold Securely: Cradle your cat against your body, but not too tightly so he feels restricted.
- Provide Support: Keeping the same hand under your cat’s chest, you can either keep your other hand (the one supporting his hindquarters) in the same place, or maneuver it so he’s actually sitting on it with his back feet. I find this a great way to help my cats feel like they’re more in control of the situation, so they’re less likely to feel scared and start to panic.
You might also want to use your hand that’s under his front end to gently maneuver him up onto your shoulder or into the crook of your arm. Not all cats will like this, but I’ve had many cats who just like to hang out there with their front paws hanging over my shoulder.
- Speak Softly: Throughout the entire process, speak softly and reassuringly to your cat. If you have positioned him on your shoulder and have a somewhat freer hand, you can also gently pet his chin, lips, or temples. Cats have scent glands in these areas and many cats love being petted there. All this helps create a positive association with being held.
- Monitor Body Language: Watch your cat’s body language closely. If he starts to show any signs of distress or irritation, or he has simply had enough and wants to be put back down again, respect his wishes and gently lower him back to the ground. Ideally, you will end the interaction before you even get to this point (more about that in a moment!).
- Choose The Right Time: Often, cats are more receptive to being picked up at certain times. Pay attention to your cat’s daily routine and choose moments when he’s relaxed, such as after a nap, or keen to interact with you, like at feeding time.
- Practice Patience: If your cat isn’t used to being held, it might take time for him to get comfortable with being picked up. Don’t force him to be picked up if he clearly doesn’t want to be.
Common Mistakes When Picking Up A Cat
When it comes to picking up your cat, there are a few common mistakes to avoid.
Approaching Too Quickly
Cats are naturally cautious animals, and sudden movements can startle them.
Before picking up your cat, make sure to approach him slowly and calmly.
Talk to him in a soft, soothing voice and pet him a little bit before attempting to pick him up.
Picking Up The Cat By The Scruff Of Their Neck
While a mother cat will pick up her tiny kittens and hold them by the scruffs of their necks, this can be painful and uncomfortable for your adult cat.
Instead, avoid doing it the wrong way and make sure you lift your cat from underneath his chest and back legs, while supporting his full body weight with both hands.
Holding The Cat Too Tightly
Even if your cat has a strong bond with you and trusts you implicitly, he still may not like being hugged or squeezed tightly.
Many cats dislike feeling like they don’t have control over their environment, and this can be very stressful for them.
If your cat feels restrained and that he can’t escape, it can be really scary for him.
Which is when you run the risk of him using his sharp claws or teeth to extract himself.
Ouch!
Picking Up The Cat When He’s Asleep
If your cat is in a deep slumber and you suddenly startle him by trying to pick him up, he’ll immediately be on the defensive and react before his thinking brain has time to catch up.
Ouch, once again!
Ignoring The Cat’s Body Language
If you want to pick up your cat, or have already done so, and he is showing signs of distress, such as flattened ears or a swishing tail, it’s best to give him some space and try again later.
How To Read Your Cat’s Body Language
If you can read your cat’s body language, you’ll always know when he wants to interact and when he doesn’t.
You’ll also have a much better understanding of how he’s feeling at any given moment.
For example, positive body language (e.g. when your cat is happy) includes a loose, relaxed body, “slow blinking,” and purring.
Negative body language (e.g. when your cat is fearful, anxious, or stressed) includes a tense body, a swishing/flicking tail, flattened ears, growling, dilated pupils, and a bushy tail.
If your cat is displaying negative body language, it’s best to avoid picking him up altogether.
His emotions are already at a heightened state and the last thing you want to do is add another stressor.
If your cat was initially fine with being picked up, but starts to change his mind, you should place him back down at the first sign of negative body language.
Even better, be aware of your cat’s tolerance levels and place him back down while he’s still relaxed and happy.
This is the best way to build trust between you and your cat, and also ends the interaction on a good note.
A positive experience like this sets you up for success the next time around, too.
Not sure about your cat’s body language?
This graphic from artist Lili Chin provides a great overview of what to look for:
Why It’s Important To Respect Your Cat’s Boundaries
Every cat is different and will have individual preferences when it comes to social interaction.
While some may love to be picked up, held, and even carried around, others may prefer to be near their human companions without actually being picked up.
Some cats may have had previous negative experiences with being picked up, while others may have very little experience of interacting with and being handled by humans.
However, by respecting your cat’s personal space and paying attention to his cues, you can provide the social interaction that best suits his comfort level and preferences.
What If My Cat Hates Being Picked Up?
Our rescued Dubai street cat Jasmine is extremely bonded to me and is very affectionate toward me.
But, she hates being picked up.
I respect that and avoid placing her in a stressful situation where she has no choice.
However, there may be times when you really need to pick up your cat, in an emergency for example, or if you need to urgently get him into his cat carrier to go to the vet.
This is where the gradual approach comes in.
Rather than wait for the emergency to happen, it’s best for cat parents to prepare well in advance and get your cat used to being picked up.
Start by holding out your hand to your cat and wait for him to approach, sniff and investigate.
If he seems comfortable with that, start stroking him gently on the temples, chin and lips.
Gradually increase the amount of physical contact by briefly moving your hands to where you would place them if you were going to pick him up, and then go back to your regular petting.
Once kitty is okay with you placing your hands under his upper body and hindquarters as if you were going to pick him up, you can briefly elevate him a few inches off the ground, then place him straight back down again.
Gradually build up the length of time as well as the elevation.
Be patient and take things slowly, over a period of days or even weeks.
During this training process, you can offer your cat yummy treats, verbal praise, petting, and even catnip to help him associate being picked up with good things happening.
Keep a close watch on your cat’s body language and always go at his pace.
For more tips on training your cat to enjoy being picked up, check out this helpful video from Cat School Clicker Training:
Managing Fearful Or Shy Cats
If your cat is very nervous or fearful, it’s probably best to avoid picking him up altogether.
Instead, try to build trust and allow him to initiate interactions when he’s ready.
Feral cats or outdoor cats may have had little – or no – experience with human contact, making them highly wary of being picked up.
In general, cats who didn’t receive much handling during their early kittenhood, tend to be less comfortable with human contact as adult cats.
Finally, elderly cats with stiff, arthritic joints, or cats with a medical condition or any kind of injury, may find it painful to be picked up and react accordingly.
If you have a cat who is less accustomed to being held (or just doesn’t like it for whatever reason) but you still need to pick him up, remain calm and move slowly.
Avoid making sudden movements and loud noises as this will risk startling him and make him feel even more anxious.
You may want to wear gloves or gently place a towel over your cat to protect yourself from scratches or bites.
Another of our rescued Dubai street cats, Oakley (you saw him earlier!), has an old back injury from where we assume he was hit by a car.
If you inadvertently touch him where it’s sore, then he will react instinctively and aggressively.
So we know to avoid it.
Funnily enough, he is super affectionate and loves being picked up, so I have devised a comfortable way to gently pick him up without touching his back or hindquarters, and propping him across my shoulder where he can relax with minimal rear end support.
Alternatives To Picking Up Your Cat
If your cat doesn’t like being picked up or you’re unable to do so safely, there are alternative ways to interact with him.
Cat Carrier
A cat carrier is a great option for transportation and can be used to safely contain and transport your cat without the need for physical handling.
This is especially useful for vet appointments or travel.
Cat carriers also provide a safe and comfortable space for your cat to retreat to when he needs some alone time.
Contactless Handling
If you need to handle your cat for medical reasons, consider using contactless handling methods.
This can include interacting with your cat through the door of a crate, a baby gate, or using gentle restraint with a towel.
Community Cats
If you need to capture a feral cat because they are injured, or you want to get them sterilized before returning them to the area and releasing them, consider setting up a humane box trap with food and water inside.
Once safely trapped, contact a local animal rescue organization if you need assistance to safely handle and care for the cat.
Outdoor Cats
If you have an outdoor cat, it may not be necessary to pick them up often, if at all.
Instead, provide them with a comfortable outdoor shelter and interact with them through play and feeding.
If you need to transport your outdoor cat at any stage, consider using a carrier or humane cat trap.
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Resources
- Bringing up a litter of kittens: behavioural considerations – International Cat Care
- Teach Your Cat To Enjoy Being Picked Up [Video]- Cat School Clicker Training
