How to Keep a Cat

“There are many good ways to keep a cat, some of which may surprise you,” says friendly veterinarian Dr. Uri Burstin in hismost popular YouTube video . But holding the cat incorrectly can harm it and make it stressful, even if it is clearly not complaining. The difference between a good grip and a bad grip is not always obvious. We have drawn all the poses that Dr. Burstyn demonstrates so that you can hold your cat correctly, as well as show guests and children how to hold it.

Basic leads

The most important thing is to support the cat’s torso. Keep at least one hand under the cat’s chest, resting on its body, not on its paws or joints.

In the far left picture below, the cat’s weight is hanging from her shoulders. “It’s uncomfortable for the cat,” says Dr. Burstyn. “Or so safe to be honest.”

In the other two holds, even if the cat is relatively vertical, your chest and abdomen are supported by your hands. You will feel the difference, and so will the cat. You can give him the front legs to rest on, or let the legs hang down. But in general, cats love to be held close and supported.

Even by holding it in these correct positions, a nervous cat will still be able to scratch you with its hind legs. To keep the paws from moving, bring the cat to your body as shown in the middle picture. Squeeze his butt between your hand and body while supporting his chest with your hand.

Advanced retention

This is not the only way to keep the cat. As shown below, many of the less obvious poses are still fine as long as the cat wants to collaborate.

Left is the baby pose that Dr. Burstyn demonstrates in thefollowing video . It is safe and convenient if you have a good relationship with your cat. But he warns, “I wouldn’t do this with a cat that I don’t completely trust.” Holding the cat like a baby can scratch the cat’s front claws, so if the cat resists, gently lay it down and try a more traditional grip.

In the center – the pose of a football player. Dr. Burstyn recommends this to quickly catch the tough cat. By pulling the cat towards you from the front and holding it with your hind legs, you decrease the cat’s range of motion (and therefore its ability to scratch or run away) while supporting the body. “Hold the cat close to you,” says Dr. Burstyn. “It will never hurt them; in fact, they tend to feel more secure when held tight. “

And finally, a grip on the shoulder. This is another pose designed for cats and people in trusting relationships. To sit the cat on your shoulder, place the cat on a surface at waist level, then bend over to it and let it climb on top of you. (You run the risk of scratching a little when the cat pulls out its claws to climb.) Support the cat’s butt with your hand.

If your cat is comfortable sitting on one shoulder, it may try to lie on both shoulders behind your neck. You can let him (at the risk of getting some more unintentional scratches), or you can hold him still by pressing his back against his shoulder with your other hand.

To bring the cat on your shoulder, do not pull it off and do not let it jump after you. Stand waist-high on a surface and lean forward until the cat softens and straightens up. (When Dr. Burstyn shows off his cat to Mr. Pirate, he has to bend all the way to the exam table before the cat finally lets go.)