For Cat Owners: Here’s The Right Way To Pick Up Your Cat
One of the biggest perks of being a cat owner is being able to scoop these furballs into your warm embrace as you please. Some cats however, may see this as being the biggest downside to having human companionship. The fact is, not all cats show affection in the same reciprocal way that humans do, and for every cat that loves a deep embrace, there are those that absolutely detest it.
Cats are sensitive creatures with very specific preferences. Watching others casually pick up cats can appear simple, but in truth, the act of picking up a cat requires a good understanding of feline body language and how to handle them.
Feline pick-up is an art and involves techniques for both lifting and returning them on all fours. Therefore, some simple ground rules (literally and non-literally) must be covered to fully enjoy your pet’s cuddly goodness without invoking the dreaded claws-of-go-away.
Once you get these rules in order, your cat might actually transform into a loving kitty who loves being coddled and not the crazy swiper they may usually be.
Read on to understand the subtle techniques of successfully picking up almost any cat that comes into contact with you.
Do Cats Enjoy Being Picked Up?
Every cat has their unique set of likes and preferences, so there’s no correct answer to this question. Many kitties long for human contact, while many tend to embody a ‘leave-me-alone’ personality—no smothering with kisses. They hate being carried and will become a swiping tornado the moment you wrap your arms around them.
Then there are felines that may be too energetic who can’t sit still. They’ll let you hold them just long enough to give them a kiss before they’re twisting and fighting to get down.
In most cases, cats tend to be quite indifferent when it comes to human interaction. This might be due to the fact that ancestral wildcats were originally domesticated as a form of mere pest control and not affectionate companions. This means their brains may still be wired to think and act like their wild ancestors…
Eat > Hunt > Sleep > Repeat!
You’ll have to know how to read feline body language in order to understand if they’re ready to be held.
Signs your cat is ready to be scooped up!
Body language is key to understanding your cat’s willingness to be held – according to Behavioral Sciences Team Counselor at the ASPCA, Samantha Nigbur. Certain behavioral patterns can help you identify your cat’s willingness to be held.
Physical indicators such as an aroused tail gleefully swirling about in the air and perked up ears are great positive signs. Moreover, if the cat seems friendly, welcoming, and rubbing itself against you, then congratulations! The cat trusts you and is ready to be swept off their feet… literally.
However, when your cat’s ears are bent back (flattened), dilated pupils and it seems generally tense and fidgety—this can be translated as a more conservative and unwelcoming attitude. Erratic tail-waving is like the cat equivalent of throwing up gang signs and is a strong warning against picking them up.
Even though cats don’t have facial expressions, you can clearly decode their mood once you pay close attention to their demeanor.
A Guide on How To Pick Up A Cat
1. Prepare yourself to lift the cat
Once you’re sure the cat is ready to be held, let the cat come to you or approach them in a slow and relaxed manner. Always remember cats can get spooked very easily, so try to be gentle and easy with them. Never be forceful. Don’t force the cat in hugs or be overly clingy. It’s good to start by reaching out your hand so she can sniff you or gently graze her head using your fingers without petting them first. This helps allocate if she’s in a good mood. You can also give her a treat while familiarizing yourself this way. Lower yourself to reach their level so you appear less intimidating. Also, light touching at the base of the ears or under the chin pays off well. This helps in getting them a bit familiar with human presence and gaining their trust.
2. Lift Off! Carry the cat!
The secret to picking up your cat is to make them feel safe and supported. Start by placing your dominant hand below her chest and use the other hand to support her hind legs. Once you’re good, you can now slowly lift her up since all the force is evenly distributed. Abruptly picking them up just by their underarms leaves their legs to dangle. This can make them shoot their back legs and can cause you some serious injuries if you get caught.
3. Enjoy the fluffy goodness while listing your cat.
Once she’s up in your arms, use your dominant hand to firmly hold the kitty against your chest for support. Be sure to be gentle when you’re holding her upper half. She should be comfortably placed in a cradled or sitting position with her back paws well-supported. So you need to hold her from below too using your non-dominant hand. This allows her to rest her weight on your arm and feel comfier. In case they wiggle at the bottom, this indicates they feel uncomfortable.
Make sure you’re not covering its tail since some cats hate their tail being restricted. What really makes a cat feel comfortable is firmness, and stability.
Find Out What Works before Picking Up Your Cat!
In order to make cats feel more comfortable and secure while being held, find out what works best for them! Pet them and talk to them. If your cat likes to be touched, gently squish your cat or hug it lightly against your chest. In case it doesn’t like to be touched, don’t try to pet it too often. Most cats love attention, but on their own terms, aka only when they want it.
There may also be the lucky few who have “shoulder cats” with them. These cats love sitting on shoulders, perched like a parrot, enjoying the view while on your shoulder while you’re on the move. Some others enjoy being held like human babies while being whisked from one room to another. Some others will willingly hop onto your lap while you’re in the car.
This makes us wonder… if cats just see us as a mode of transportation. 😹
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