How to Properly Pick Up and Hold a Cat (4 Hold Techniques) | The Cat Butler

Today my two ragdoll cats Teemo and Arya are going to demonstrate how to properly pick up and hold a cat! Picking up a cat requires understanding how to properly introduce yourself to cats, reading the cat’s body language, and using the right techniques for both lifting and placing the cats back down.

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○ Teemo - Boy Cream Bicolor Ragdoll Cat
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[herbalannie]

Ragdolls are a whole different game as they will not support themselves, like the shoulder hold. After 50 years of cats the best hold is the one they allow, each cat is different as each human is.

[legitlyspelunking]

A tip for those wanting to get their cat more comfortable once being held: let them lead by where their head goes, and let them investigate with smell objects and other things around the house 😺

[hphoenix]

Having adopted a young traumatised (tragic circumstances) cat (Tuxedo) who hates being picked up, after 19 months and heaps of Dreamies, I can pick him up while I kneel on the floor it's slow going but it's progress, bless him 💕🙏

[diane]

My baby Nori LOVES shoulder holds. She often mews at me asking for me to pick her up, she also loves shoulder rides. I’m fully convinced that her past life is a parrot😂😂 haha my boy Natto loves the baby hold. He’s so cute🥰 ❤

[ziggystardog]

An important thing to realize with all cats is they have time limits for most activities. When they’ve had enough, they’ll let you know. So don’t push things, let them down when they indicate they’re done.

[citruslllad]

3:38 the moment i saw the football hold i started laughing way too hard 😭 he's just dangling!!

[itskashkashi]

The fact that you have ragdolls and a husky is so funny, the dogs of the cat world and cats of the dog world respectively lol 😆

[stewartedgington]

The most basic thing you emphasized is the support for the cat when picking up. I've generally done this because my cats are much more comfortable with this. (What an idea!) Sometimes I do not have two hands available so I use an arm under the cat lengthwise to give them that better support.
The approach though is something I have not been consistent with so I really found that useful.
Also, dropping a cat rather that putting them down gently is a big deal if you want to be able to pick the cat up easily again. Dropping may not hurt them but they must instantly go from cuddly comfortable and relaxed to high alert. They seem to trust me more if I just don't do that.

[chestersnap]

This additionally feels like a demonstration of why Ragdolls are called ragdolls

[revolution]

I like to put the cat’s front feet on my left shoulder and support their back feet and backside with my right arm. That way, the cat is sitting upright, which is usually comfortable for them and I can pet them with my left hand. I think you call this the shoulder hold. Your cats are so beautiful and this video was very clear and informative for new cat butlers. Thanks!

[TheBlackenedSaint]

I very much appreciate how you did not force your cats with the hold they find uncomfortable.

[tracimh]

I am always delighted when you post a new video. your voice is so calm and soothing…it’s no wonder your two cats are so relaxed in your arms. your entire presence speaks: gentleness…safety…love!
thanks for great videos 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛😊😊

[EmmaVB]

It’s funny - my cat Nikita really does not like being picked up or held (after being picked up), but she LOVES to sit on my lap or chest, and is very happy to be held there! I guess it always has to be completely on her terms and initiated by her 😸

They both love to break out of my flat when I’m coming back in and run up and down the hallway outside (and it’s about the length of 4 of my flats side by side, so I’m happy for them to have a place to sprint!), and while I try to let them have their fun and come back in of their own volition (usually when someone else on on my floor either comes home or leaves - I’ve got big scaredy-cats, so the door opening and a person being there sends them running!), sometimes I’ve had to pick them up and carry them back home. Maybe there’s a big element of, “hey, you’re stopping my fun! 😿”, but I always feel from Nikita especially, the message is, “how dare you pick me up and carry me?! Put me down! I’m a strong and independent cat! 😾” 😹 She’s a massive wriggler, and it’s a struggle to get her lowered anywhere near the ground before she’s off out of my arms.

Harvey hasn’t sat on my lap for ages, which makes me sad :( He’s still very affectionate and wants to be near me though. But he doesn’t mind being picked up as much as Nika! I picked him up the other day and he settled and was calm, and we walked around my flat for a bit looking at different things from a different perspective (and sniffing them too - him not me!). He likes a version of the basic hold, but more upright - most of his weight supported by my right arm brought in close to my body, wrapped around him and supporting his back legs with my right hand too, then he puts his front paws up on my left arm, which gives him a good view :) Also, he’s now 8kg/over 17.5lbs!🙀 I think I need to do some weightlifting to get in shape to comfortably pick him up and carry him 😂

[tonymccarthy]

What you say makes perfect sense. I never pick up my cats unless I have to.

[ViralGenesis]

My siamese cat Westley loves the shoulder hold, and every time I go to do it he always jumps up on my shoulders and lays down on my back lol. Then he starts nuzzling me with his face, it's so cute. He used to be a big cuddler as a kitten and I can tell he misses me when I come to visit, as he lives with my parents right now.

[doggo.kk_idk]

You’re voice is so calming and your content is just amazing!

[femmeslash]

my cat only allows a shoulder hold, and funnily enough, he'll only accept the left shoulder! try and keep him right and he'll just squeeze under your face to reposition himself. great vid, always love reading or hearing about the little quirks every pet has

[ctqpbhg]

One of the most important things everyone must learn in their lives.
Thank you!

[AynoTaicho]

Both of my cats definitely prefer being hoisted onto my shoulder. They'll stay there for a while, just chilling. Both of them prefer a different shoulder, though, which I think is quite funny.

[Trenchant]

When necessary, a safe hold is hind quarters tucked between your side and elbow with your same side hand sandwiching both hind legs interlocked between your fingers, and your opposite hand doing the same with front legs. Keep your front arm clear away from biting. Keep cat snugly against body so s/he is fully supported. Any escape efforts trigger tighter hold. I trained my cat (RIP, age 20) to accept this hold, and routinely walked a mile to the vet through a busy metro area. I also used a towel over her to keep her secure. (I was pretty broke at that point-no cat holder or car or cab money.)
My orange tabby (also gone so sad) was usually so relaxed I could hold him upside down with my forearm under his lower abdomen and his legs hooked over my arm, and then walk around swinging him as I went. He seemed quite content.