If you are a new cat owner, you’re probably spending a lot of time snuggling with your furry friend. You’re also probably researching pet care, such as when to take the kitty to the veterinarian and how to best handle the feline. Scruffing, or holding the cat by its loose neck skin, should not be one of your management techniques. Here are some reasons this behavior can be harmful.

What Cat Owners Should Know About Proper Handling

Why & When Are Cats Scruffed?

Kittens are born with flexor reflexes that last for the first few weeks of life. The flexor causes kittens to go limp when their mother holds them by their scruffs, or neck skin behind their head. Mother cats scruff their kittens for transportation and have pressure sensors on their teeth that tell them where to hold the kittens to avoid injury. 

As adults, cats also can experience scruffing. A male cat holds a female cat by the scruff when mating. Cats also often get held by their scruffs when they are attacked by predators. 

Why Is Scruffing Bad? 

Scruffing is not a typical occurrence in the day-to-day life of a cat, and it can have negative associations for the animal. Some pet owners scruff their cats to immobilize them for activities like claw trimming and teeth cleaning, or as punishment for poor behavior. Unfortunately, doing so can cause serious stress. A cat's behavior is due to natural processes, not spite. Punishing a cat with scruffing, spraying water, and shouting can make it fearful and aggressive. Frequent scruffing often results in a damaged relationship and mistrust on the cat’s part.

There are many non-scruffing ways to restrain a cat, such as speaking in gentle tones and encouraging the kitty to come to you. If you are calm, the feline will calm down too. Other pet care tactics include avoiding direct eye contact and not approaching your cat head-on, which they might view as an attack. Using food as a distraction is another method. Swaddling the feline in old towels also helps with restraint while giving them control over the situation, as they can sit up or lie down as they wish. 

Discuss handling techniques and other customized pet care solutions for your cat at The Pet Clinic. The veterinary hospital in Honolulu, HI, helps four-legged friends throughout the region stay healthy, offering vaccines, nutrition, dermatology services, and more. Call (808) 946-5096 to make an appointment or visit the website for more information.