How to Pick up a Cat or Kitten?

I wasn't sure of where to put this thread.... I hope it's okay here . Last Saturday when I got to work I saw that a boy kitten named Dorian had threw up from a hairball attack in the kitty kennel that he shares with his sister buttons. While I was clean up their kennel.... He jumped out . So, I immediately went into look mode and a lady groomer picked him up by the scruff of his neck and handed him to me*whew*. So therein lies my question. I pick up my IL cat patches with both hands and she picked him up by his neck.


How do YOU pick up your cat or kitten?

Dexter is my almost 14lb. senior kitty....
I put my right hand and arm between his hind legs, with my left hand and arm supporting the front part of him.
That hold protects his spine.

I'd never pick up a cat by the scruff, but I believe that's OK with young kittens -- just as Momcat would -- particularly if it's a case of grabbing the little monster before he gets himself into trouble. But even older kittens, once they are getting a bit of weight in their hind quarters, should be picked up with two hands -- I tend to do one under the arms and the other supporting the butt.

Sometimes I pick Bella up like a baby, with my hands just under her front legs, then one hand goes to support her butt and one goes to support her shoulders. Or I pick her up like the others before me have described. I don't like the idea of a full-grown cat being picked up by the scruff, but I've seen on Animal Cops the investigators do it if they're trying to get control of the cat. But I would say only in emergencies, though.

Never picked up a cat/kitten by the scruff. I've always used two hands. If the cat is in a "runaway" mode I do everything to lure her near and then I quickly lift her up. I accept the scratches and bites that follow.

I have some good news !! Both Dorian and bro little bear and sis Buttons got adopted into a furrever home this past week !!

Loving homes for all three sweeties....
that is wonderful news.

Yes - Under the arms.. and under the hind legs/butt. You can crush the windpipe of a larger cat by picking him/her up by the scruff. I had a vet tell me that.

The proper way is to support the butt. You can pick up by the back of the neck, if the butt is supported. But if its a quick grab (to get them down,etc) it won't hurt. I would never carry a cat just by the scruff of the neck for more then a few seconds.

As soon as you can get your other hand under the butt its better. For example, if your cat is on a high shelf and you got ahold of them by the neck to pull them down - then supported the rest of the body - that's fine. Grabbing them on the neck makes most of them "freeze" - its a inborn thing to stop a tiny kitten from struggling when mom is carrying them.

Otherwise you lift them under the arms and chest and quickly support their entire body.