How to Pick Up and Hold a Cat Safely Without Stress or Scratches

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Picking up a cat sounds simple, but it is easy to do wrong. Some cats love being carried, while others tolerate it for a few seconds. Learning to handle a cat safely protects you from scratches and protects your cat from pain and stress.

When to pick up a cat

Many cats do not need to be picked up often. Reasons to lift a cat include:

• Putting it in a carrier
• Moving it away from danger
• Vet care or grooming
• Cuddling, if the cat enjoys it

Respect your cat's preferences. A cat that dislikes holding can still be affectionate on the sofa.

Before you lift

1. Approach calmly. Move slowly, speak softly and avoid looming over the cat.
2. Let the cat sniff your hand.
3. Pet in favorite spots, such as cheeks and chin, to build trust. See why does my cat bite me while petting.
4. Watch body language. A relaxed cat has a soft body and ears forward. A tense cat may flatten its ears, twitch its tail or freeze.

How to pick up a cat

1. Slide one hand under the chest, behind the front legs.
2. Place the other hand under the hindquarters, supporting the back legs.
3. Lift smoothly, bringing the cat close to your body.
4. Support the weight with your forearm, so the cat feels secure.
5. Hold it against your chest or hip, and keep a hand on the back legs.

Let the cat face outward or toward you, whichever it prefers. Keep your movements slow.

What not to do

• Do not lift by the front legs, which can injure shoulders.
• Do not pick up by the scruff, except in emergencies. Kittens go limp when carried by their mothers, but adult cats can be hurt.
• Do not hold a cat with only one hand around its belly.
• Do not hold a cat upside down or squeezed tightly.
• Do not chase a cat to pick it up.

Reading signs it wants down

Put the cat down gently if you notice:

• Tail flicking or thumping
• Ears turning back
• Tensing, wriggling or pushing against you
• Dilated pupils
• Growling or hissing. See why do cats hiss.
• Claws extending

Do not drop the cat. Lower it to the floor, and let it walk away.

Kittens

Kittens are fragile. Support the whole body with both hands, and keep sessions short. Gentle handling builds trust. See how to socialize a kitten. Supervise children, and teach them to sit on the floor with the kitten on their lap.

Shy or nervous cats

Do not force it. Sit near the cat, offer treats and let it come to you. Use slow blinks. See what does a cat slow blink mean. If you need to move a frightened cat, drape a towel over it and lift it with support, or coax it into a carrier.

Handling for care

For nail trims, ear cleaning and pills, use gentle restraint, such as the towel burrito, which wraps the cat with the head out. See how to trim cat nails, how to clean a cat's ears and how to give a cat a pill. Reward with treats afterward.

Carrying a cat to the vet

Use a carrier, not your arms. Transport cats securely. See how to choose a carrier and train your cat to use it. A loose cat in a car or vet's lobby can bolt in fear.

If you are scratched or bitten

Wash the wound with soap and water, and see a doctor if it is deep, swollen or red, since cat bites often become infected. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic if your cat is injured or in pain.

Teaching children

Children often grab cats awkwardly. Teach them to sit on the floor and let the cat come to them, to pet gently and to never lift a cat unless an adult shows them how. A calm, supervised introduction protects both child and cat. If the cat walks away, let it go.

Cats that love being carried

Some cats, such as many Ragdolls, enjoy being held. Even then, support their weight and watch for changes in mood. A cat that is happy for five minutes may want down after six. Respect the signal, and the cat will keep trusting you.

Practice makes it easier

Short, positive handling sessions each day teach a cat that being lifted leads to something nice. Pick up, hold for a few seconds, give a treat and put down. Increase the time slowly, and stop before the cat objects. Over weeks, many cats learn to tolerate or even enjoy it.

Building trust

Positive experiences, treats and patience make handling easier. Respect your cat's limits, and your cat will feel safer around you.