The longer you hold a squirmy, unhappy cat, the more she'll hate being held the next time. If your cat hates being picked up and held, slow down and just focus on being able to put one hand on her side and then releasing. Work up to placing a hand on each side and then letting go.
The number one reason that cats may refuse to be held is due to a lack of socialization. Cats, like dogs, require intentional socialization activities when they are young in order to develop trust and become acclimated to the presence of humans.
Pick up the cat by the scruff of the neck if it is frightened. If the cat appears aggressive and scared, you can attempt to gently pick it up by the scruff of the neck, supporting its back feet with your other hand. This may calm the cat and allow you to control it.
Just start by being a non-threatening presence and let Kitty come to you when she's ready. Face away and let Kitty sniff around you. Slowly, offer a hand to smell. Repeat this for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times per day or as often as you can.
Have your hands around his shoulders while he sits in your lap for five to ten seconds. Offer him a special treat and allow him to jump back on the floor. If your cat is comfortable with this step and can sit in your lap for brief periods, begin picking up his foot, letting go of the foot and offering him a treat.
Don't be alarmed if your cat resists physical attention. It may just be part of their personality or upbringing. If a kitten isn't socialized with humans at an early age, they may be reluctant to accept affection. They may also need more coaxing if you adopt them as an adult and don't know their backstory.
According to the ASPCA, both the front and back legs should be supported. Never pick your cat up by the head or front legs only. “To pick up your cat, place one hand behind the front legs and another under the hindquarters. Lift gently.”
Whether large or small, all cats should be held with two hands, writes Cat Behavior Associates. To pick up your cat safely, behavior expert Marilyn Krieger tells Petcha, "Place one hand under her front legs and position your other hand so that it supports her back legs and hind quarters.
Full-body restraint is defined as the cat being "held on its side with its back against the handler, while the handler grasps the front and back legs, with a forearm across the cat's neck. The cat is allowed little to no movement of its head, body or limbs."
At the first sign that your kitten does not want to be held or stroked, stop interacting with him. If he is relaxed while your hands are in position, reward him with a tiny treat he adores. Gradually increase the criteria until you can place him in your lap without holding on to him.
Some cats do not like being picked up and will not allow it ever. It may be that they had a bad experience early in their lives (someone picked them up and did not support them or did something bad to them), or it may be that they are just uncomfortable not having solid ground under their paws.
If your cat doesn't enjoy being held, it may be because he just feels disrespected when you scoop him up. Other cats may have a related reason for resisting restraint — and, let's face it, being picked up and held is a form of restraint, even if it's meant lovingly.
If you force your cat to be held, for instance, and her tail starts flailing and ears are back – please put her down. The stress that we unknowingly put on our cats out of sheer love for them can actually lead to health issues down the road. Cats instinctively aren't equipped to be forced into action.
Being picked up and held can make some cats nervous, as they are being restrained in your arms. This limits their options for escape if anything were to startle them. Cats are independent creatures, and although they often like to be up high, they like to choose their own perch and not be restrained whilst doing so.
Or when picked up and carried, the feline may panic out of anticipation of where she's being taken to, like the crate. And many times when a cat is carried, she lacks grip, balance and proper orientation to the ground, creating a situation where the cat may feel at risk of falling.
Socializing Shy Cats
Each step will need at least 3-5 sessions before progressing to the next step, and make sure the cat is 100% comfortable before moving to the next level. The entire process can take anywhere from several weeks to more than a year…but it will all be worth it in the end!
Signs of Emotional Trauma in Cats and Dogs
Trauma can also manifest as “shaking, hiding, urination and/or defecation when the trigger attempts to interact, howling, pacing, excessive vocalization, and panting,” says Pia Silvani, director of behavioral rehabilitation at the ASPCA's Behavioral Rehabilitation Center.
Cats do not like to feel trapped and most dislike being restrained especially if they have no option to escape. Try and avoid picking them up and hugging them tightly. If they have all four paws on the ground they will feel happier.
The longer you hold a squirmy, unhappy cat, the more she'll hate being held the next time. If your cat hates being picked up and held, slow down and just focus on being able to put one hand on her side and then releasing. Work up to placing a hand on each side and then letting go.
If your cat is busy doing something else, like eating, sleeping or playing they are unlikely to appreciate being touched, or fussed. The same goes for if they're hiding, or in one of their quiet places. If your cat appears scared, or in pain you should generally try and avoid touching them.
Even if you weren't around when your kitten was four to eight weeks old, you can still raise your kitten to be cuddly and snuggly. It all starts by handling your kitten a lot—just be gentle. Pet your kitten and lightly squeeze and snuggle her.