Q&A for How to Pick Up a Cat

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  • Question
    How do you tell your cat you love them?
    Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    You can show your cat you love them taking good care of them, petting them and playing with them.
  • Question
    Can you pick up a pregnant cat?
    Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Yes you can pick up a pregnant cat, just like you would pick up a non-pregnant cat - carefully.
  • Question
    Can I pick my cat up by the scruff?
    Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    No do not pick up a cat by the scruff. They can be held by the scruff while they are sitting on a flat surface to keep them under control for short medical procedures.
  • Question
    Do cats like to be hugged?
    Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    No, cats don't particularly like to be hugged. They prefer gentle petting, stroking and scratching.
  • Question
    Is it OK to hold a cat like a baby?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    It's okay, but it's better to hold the cat upright against your chest with one hand supporting their hindquarters.
  • Question
    Can a kid pick up a cat?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    I don't recommend you let a child carry a cat or even leave them unattended with one. Instead, set the cat on their lap so they can pet it.
  • Question
    Is it painful or dangerous to carry a cat by just its front legs?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Never pick a cat up by just the front legs. Holding a cat this way shifts all its weight onto long thin bones that were never meant to take twisting forces. Should the cat wriggle and try to escape, this could fracture bones or dislocate a joint. Also, the cat won't feel secure, and the risk of them struggling is therefore greater.
  • Question
    How do I pick my cat up when he's lying down?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Stroke him first so you don't take him by surprise. Then slide one hand under his shoulder, and the other beneath his rear end. Gently lift while gathering the cat towards your chest so that he's cradled against it.
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