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Cat owners are well aware that their feline companions are not always eager to be picked up. When you simply try to pick up your pet, you may find yourself with a large red scratch on your cheek. Cats are unconcerned if you have to take them to the veterinarian or whatever. Picking up and carrying a cat is an easy (and safe) process (you don’t want to get clawed). But, in order for that to happen, Dr. Uri Burstyn, a Canadian veterinarian, revealed his secret.
We learned everything there is to know about Dr. Uri Burstyn’s method for picking up a cat properly and produced this article for you in the hopes of saving you from being scratched the next time you have to take your cat somewhere!
(h/t: brightside)
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To begin, determine whether your pet is willing to be picked up
Carrying your cat is a delicate operation, whether it’s because you want to demonstrate your affection for it or because you need to hold it to administer medicine. Even yet, if you do things correctly, everything can go well and you will not be scratched. The technique is basic and straightforward: you must make the cat feel comfortable and secure both before and throughout its time in your arms.
And what would you expect someone to do first if they wanted to take you in their arms? In this video, Dr. Burstyn reveals the answer. The first step is to ensure that your pet consents to being held. Begin by approaching your cat with caution. He or she will be able to sniff your fingers first this way. You can also move them away if you’re worried of being scratched.
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The object of the game is to pet the cat. Always be gentle when putting this on its cheeks or under its chin. You can proceed and hold your cat if you feel it is contented and accepting of your touching. Otherwise, it’s best to just leave it alone.
Pick up technique #1: Chest and abdominal grip
“The secret to lifting up a cat securely is to make them feel supported,” explains the veterinarian. We can accomplish this by placing one hand on the cat’s chest and the other on its abdomen. Then slowly raise the cat. The cat will not be hanging from its armpits if you hoist it up this manner.
The cat will not feel driven to “kick” in the air with its hind legs as long as it is comfortable, reducing your chances of being scratched. Now, if we want to keep it from running away, we need to apply some pressure to it. It’s best to keep the cat close to your body if you already have it in your arms.
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You can then hold it closer to your body if you need it to be motionless, for example, to clip its nails or something similar. Don’t be frightened to do this since the cat will stop moving because it will not only not experience pain, but it will also feel protected and safe.
Pick up technique #2: The football carry
The “football carry technique,” as Dr. Burstyn refers to it, is another way to hold a cat. You’ll understand why in a minute. This approach is just holding the cat by its tummy and bottom while ensuring that its head is under our arm. If you’ve ever held a football, you’ll know what I’m talking about. In this scenario, you may also want to hold the cat close to your breast to make it feel comfortable and secure.
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This strategy is perhaps the greatest call to pick up your cat if you ever find yourself in an emergency circumstance or in a position where you need to act quickly. It is both efficient and safe. It also has the advantage of having one of your hands on its back at all times, making it much easier to control its hind legs and keep it from clawing you.
Pick up technique #3: The shoulder carry
Because the cat will be doing its part, this is the type of grasp that demands the least amount of effort from us. The concept is straightforward. Begin by approaching the cat and allowing it to climb up to one of your shoulders. Once it begins to climb, simply lay your palm on its bottom to provide further support. Press its back into you with the other hand to offer it the sense of security we discussed earlier.
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Simply lean over to a nearby surface, such as the floor or the bed, when your pet wants to come down. The cat will recognize that it must descend and will turn around and leap to its feet.
Pick up technique #4: The baby carry
This technique is very similar to the one we use to carry an infant in our arms, as the name suggests. Simply pick up the cat and place a hand on its chest to begin. Your arm will be on its bottom and will support the cat when it is lifted. Then gently place the opposite hand on the cat’s chest and let the cat to lie on its back on your arm.
Keep in mind, however, that you should only use this technique if the cat trusts you and you are well acquainted. If this isn’t the case, you’d be better off attempting an alternative technique, otherwise you’ll be in for a lot of scratching!
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What you should never do
There are numerous proper methods to pick up and hold a cat, but there are also several that are wrong and could damage your pet. For example, holding your cat by the armpits with your index fingers and thumbs as support is not recommended. It is not only inconvenient for the animal, but it is also dangerous.
The muscle that joins the cat’s front legs to its torso is a muscle that can be injured or made sore if you take it up and hang the cat’s weight from it alone. Lifting the cat up by its front legs is also not a smart idea. It’s practically a given that it’ll be scared of falling and will move its rear legs in such a way as to scratch you.
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Is your pet a fan of being carried around? Do you have any additional methods for catching your cat? Let us know what you think in the comments!
