Cats are notorious for having a fickle personality and being selective on who gets to pick them up and pet them. Some cats don’t like being touched at all and will struggle to get free. There are right and wrong ways to handle a cat, and the owner needs to learn how to properly do it to build a stronger bond.
Table of Contents
How to pick up a cat?
Cradling a cat is okay if you have a trusting relationship with your pet. Moreover, if it is suffering from back pain you might put yourself at risk of feline assault and end up being clawed in the face if you handle it improperly. Therefore, before picking up a cat, you have to examine its mood. If your cat is head-butting you, meowing, or purring, it’s a good indication that it wants your attention and that it would like you to pick it up. The right way to pick up a cat is to approach from his side and place one hand flat against his rib cage then use your other hand to support him under his hindquarters.
Often, holding a cat like a baby might make them feel like prey. The best way to carry a cat like a pro is in an upright position with their whole body facing on you and resting on your arm. Make sure you’re holding him securely but not too tight. If they feel like they might fall, they’ll struggle to be put down. Make sure you are holding the cat firmly but not too tightly. If your pet feels like they might fall, the cat will fight to be put down.
Once your cat settles in and is amenable to being petted, start stroking it along its back in slow, continuous motion. Always go from head to tail, and never against the direction of the fur. Stop when you reach the base of his tail. If your cat is enjoying it, he is likely to arch his back to increase your hand’s pressure. As a pet owner, you must learn how your cat likes to be petted. Here’s a tip: the top of the cat’s head, especially between and behind the ears, is a universal favorite among our feline friends.
Start Early
The best time to make your cat get used to being held is in the early weeks of their lives. Early and regular socialization with positive reinforcement from about two to three weeks old helps kittens develop faster and grow comfortable with the presence of humans. Mishandled cats often feel anxious and develop fear against humans and more likely to stay away from them. Cats have an excellent retentive memory and will likely avoid people who maltreated them.
Know When to Stop
Be mindful of your cat’s body language and stop petting him if he seems agitated. One of the indications that a cat is not feeling at ease is when it is licking its lips. Be extra careful when the feline is lying on its back because it leaves the cat to be free to kick, bite, and claw your face.
[crp]
Commonly Asked Questions:
Why cats don’t like being held like a baby?
This position is unnatural and will make him feel vulnerable and uneasy. Some cats are more trusting and would let you cradle it like a baby. However, some of them would feel like prey when you hold them like this.
Can I hold stranger cats?
Approach with caution. You should refrain from picking up and petting a cat that doesn’t know you. Perhaps give it time to sniff and investigate you, and try stroking it while talking in a calm tone. If it gets used to you being friendly, it may let you hold and pet it. If it seems anxious, back off and honor the cat’s wishes, since it may lash out. Be extra careful when trying to pick up or carry feral cats, no matter how much you feel like it badly needs affection. In certain countries, a bite from a feral cat could carry the risk of infection by rabies.
Why do cats show you their buttholes?
When a cat flashes their butt to your face, it could be because they like you to get to know them or reaffirm your social bond. It is their own version of a handshake. It is reasonable for cats to sniff each other’s butt as a way to say hello or confirm each other’s identity. The smell is more important to cats than vision, so when they stick their butts to you, they’re just giving you a friendly hello.
Conclusion
You can absolutely hold a cat like a baby if you have a trusting relationship with it. You also have to check in with your cat if it is in the right emotional state to be picked up. This posture generally makes them feel like they are not in control, hence making them feel uneasy and vulnerable. So if your cat struggles to be put down, respect its wishes.
