Catster Answers
› Behavior & Training
› Other Behavior & Training
Is it safe to carry adult cats by the scruff of their neck?
Asked by
Angel
on May 3rd 2009
in Other Behavior & Training
Status
- This question is closed.
Best Answer
No, not at all. Only a Mom cat should ever carry even a small kitten that way. No cat or kitten can safely be carried that way by a human and it could be painful. And adult cat should be carried with full support under their behind.
Allie answered on May 3rd.
Other Answers
Answers
Allie's got it. Better yet, you want to use both arms, one to support the whole underside of a cat, the other to tuck around the behind.
Gracie
answered on 5/3/09.
Helpful? 
/
1
You can hold a cat by the scruff but you should always support their rear end while carrying them. It is not safe to carry them only by the scruff.
Hunter
answered on 5/3/09.
Helpful? /
0
Carrying by the scruff of the neck is taken by the cat to mean that they have been BAAAD. Aside from the health concerns, although it IS a way to communicate anger, it is not a nice thing to do to your kitty.
Leila
answered on 5/3/09.
Helpful? /
0
Only in extreme situations, like breaking up a cat fight or something but not for just picking him up, feline mothers do that to their kittens because it is just natural to them but I pick mine up by putting both arms around it and picking it up that way. God Bless!!
HENRY DIED 9-6-09
answered on 5/3/09.
Helpful? /
1
As a good friend of our family has been a vet for close to 40 years i spent a lot of time in an animal clinic and vet and techs scruff cats all the time it is very common form of restraint. A large cat you may want to support from underneath if possible but there is little to no risk involved for the cat unless they have a spinal injury.
Don Quixote
answered on 5/5/09.
Helpful? /
0