As a general rule, you should use both hands to pick up your cat. One hand should scoop up his behind while the other hand supports his front chest. Limit the amount of time your cat is dangling mid-air and provide your cat with as much body contact as possible to hold him securely.
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.
“The more points on a cat's body that are touching your body, the more comfortable and relaxed your cat will be,” says Mikkel Becker, a cat training consultant. Never pick up a cat by the scruff of the neck or by the front legs. Picking up a cat the wrong way can cause the animal discomfort or even injury.
Hold the cat so her back paws are supported—lay your non-dominant arm flat across your torso, above the belly button, to give her a shelf to rest her rump on. Use your dominant hand to support her upper half and hold her firmly yet gently against your chest.
Avoid holding your cat in a death grip since this will cause anxiety. Lifting your cat by the scruff is never recommended. Females only carry kittens by their scruff in the first few weeks of life. Although some cats don't mind being scruffed, many find it stressful even if they do not struggle.
It is not uncommon for cats to dislike being picked up, even if they're generally affectionate. There are some aspects of cat behaviour which might help to explain this. And some tips to help if you really need to lift your cat.
International Cat Care is against the use of scruffing as a method of restraint, because of the stress and distress it can cause to cats.
Respect Your Cat's Space
Although it might make you feel better, resist the urge to pick up or cuddle a frightened cat.
' His theory was that if you hold up a puppy or kitten and they loosely dangle without stress then they will grow to be nicely tempered dogs and cats."
Gently pick the cat up if it appears to have calmed down.
If the cat will let you touch it without reacting aggressively, attempt to pick it up. Place your hand gently under its abdomen. Using your fingers, lightly grasp its front legs.
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.”
The Ragdoll breed is famous for their “Ragdoll flop” when they are picked up. They become very calm and relaxed, spread their legs, go limp in your arms, and expose their tummies- a sign that they trust you unconditionally.
Sometimes your cat may just need some alone time. If they associate you approaching with being picked up or stroked and they don't fancy it, they may well run away. Next time they may be in the mood for some affection and so head towards you.
Cats tend to favor one person over others even if they were well-socialized as kittens. Cats are expert communicators and gravitate towards people that they communicate well with. Look for communication cues from your cat, such as your cat approaching you in search of food or petting.
Yelling, clapping your hands, or shaking a can full of coins may halt a dog's unwanted behavior, but loud noises will only frighten your cat and teach her not to trust you. Instead of doling out punishment, consider what your cat's behavior might mean. Scratching the furniture could indicate boredom.
Cats are very sensitive creatures and will become overstimulated by too much petting, regardless of how much they enjoy it. Some cats are overstimulated much more easily than others and may even react violently if touched in the wrong way.
Use Positive Reinforcement Training
Teach your cat to remain calm when she's being held by using rewards and positive reinforcement. A verbal cue, like “hold,” can be used to prepare your cat to be touched and lifted; give the cue and gently touch your cat's side without lifting her at all.
2. Avoiding eye contact. When you pick your cat up for a hug, pay close attention to what they do with their head. If they actively turn their head away from you and avoid eye contact then this is a sign that they feel uncomfortable and would prefer for you to put them back down.