Cats are so cute, and you can’t help but pet and hug them when you look at them. There are many points that you need to pay attention to when holding a cat. Many people still use traditional methods when holding cats. Holding a cat in the wrong posture will make it uncomfortable.

Let’s first talk about the wrong postures for holding a cat. The first thing to do is: grab the fur on the back of the cat’s neck and lift it up.

Having seen this method many times, my first thought was to rush in and chop my hands. One time I actually rushed over to stop him (I didn’t bring a knife, so I just stopped him with words).

Unexpectedly, the owner counterattacked: Haven’t you seen that tiger, lion, leopard and cat mothers hold their cubs’ necks in their mouths, and the cubs are very well-behaved...

At this moment, the inner OS: Are you a tiger, lion, leopard, or any other animal that relies on its mouth to transport its cubs? Why don’t you hold it with your teeth instead of pulling it with your hands? Do you walk on all fours?

In the animal world, adult animals transport their young in this way, not for punishment or play.

And in the process of picking it up, they control the strength of their teeth very accurately in order not to hurt their children. It is sheer nonsense for humans to imitate it with unreasonable words.

For heavier cats, this kind of grasping method that only relies on the skin to support the entire body weight is undoubtedly uncomfortable and even painful.

You can do a test first. Use your hands to lift the back of the neck of anyone around you. Remember, you must only lift up a layer of skin, and then lift upwards with force. It is best to lift your feet off the ground...

From a psychological point of view, if someone grabs the back of your neck, your feelings will be roughly: 1. Feel threatened; 2. Uncomfortable; 3. Then you want to turn against the person and fight back.

Therefore, everyone, the action of grabbing the back of the cat's neck with one hand is not a friendly move in the first place. It is a strong and dominant body language that requires total control. It is a very rude behavior.

Just like interpersonal relationships, respect must be mutual. In the same way, we get along with animals. If you don't respect them, then you are not worthy of another life trusting you and showing kindness to you.

Today we will focus on the correct posture for holding a cat.

First of all, everyone must understand: the behavior of hugging is a way for primates to convey emotions. It has the function of conveying good feelings such as comfort and intimacy, and is an expression of love.

But for cats and dogs, they have other behavioral patterns to express love, and it is definitely not being held in their arms.

Cats and dogs are different, so never treat a cat as a small dog.

OwnerHugging cats and dogs is an expression of affection, but in fact it is a will imposed on them, and no one has ever asked their opinion.

Perhaps, from the moment they come to your side, they don’t want to be hugged at all.

So, the following ways of holding a cat are only used in:

1. Must be hugged;

2. When cats really like to be hugged.

Cats are extremely sensitive animals, so when you are ready to pick them up, do not move too suddenly. At least pet them for a while before picking them up.

As shown below (pictures are all from the Internet):

Put one hand between the cat's forelimbs to control them when they swing their forelimbs, with gentle force to give them a sense of security.

Use the other hand to hold one side, so if they try to attack, both hands can be used to strengthen the hold.

After picking it up, place it against your chest. Continue to support the forelimbs with one hand and the buttocks with the other.

Apply a little pressure with your hands on the forelimbs to make the cat lean against you. This way they won't feel like they're in danger of falling and will effectively prevent them from struggling.

Or this way, they will feel more comfortable and secure.

It also applies to holding fat cats.

It is okay to hold a baby occasionally, but cats with serious heart disease should avoid this method.

Of course, if your cat is quite well-behaved, I have no objection to putting it in a bag like this.

But if you do this, it’s no different from abusing a cat. Are you paying tribute, wishing that you would be torn into pieces by my OS?

Animals have their own behavior patterns and communication methods. Because they have no choice but to enter the human world, many times they adapt to us aggrievedly, and we don’t know how overbearing and ignorant we are.

Science popularization

It is not impossible to lift a cat by the back of its neck. In unavoidable circumstances, especially in pet hospitals, in order to examine and treat cats with violent tempers, such extreme measures are sometimes used to control them.

​But if there are other options, avoid them if possible. Because most cats will respond aggressively to such actions, which may even affect their future behavior.

Written by Hong Xiaomo

Professional guidance/Dr. Lin Yuwei (Shanghai Naughty Family Pet Hospital)

Typesetting/Chenmo