Sorta. If we do it right.
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Momma cats do not see anything special in the way they move their kittens. They do the same thing with prey. But kittens seem to remember being moved this way, since most cats will give us a certain amount of slack if we try this move.
Get a handful. The more we can grab, the more secure our grip, and the less likelihood we will hurt the cat by pinching.
While the size differential would look similar to a mother cat and her kittens, we should never try to move a cat one-handed this way. Because the cat is much bigger now, and no longer adapts so easily to hanging by the loose skin on the back of their neck. Kittens have low mass and more compact bodies.
It can be a good move to get a kitten off a table or away from delicate objects, but still not one-handed.
We should use the Momma Cat Grab to keep them from dashing off through the centerpiece or dragging a table runner with them, but picking them up should still be two-handed.
It is useful for instances where the kitten has gotten themselves into a spot where only one hand can reach, such as behind the stove or bookcase. Even so, we do better letting the cat walk along with our urging hand, just so we know they are moving freely and we won’t hurt them.
We might need to get a cat out from under a bed for various reasons.
Getting a hold on the back of their neck is by far the best place to grab them, but we still need the other hand to support their weight if we are going to carry them anywhere.
Urge them out with our hand holding their “scruff,” to give them a chance to cooperate. Any time we can give them the illusion of doing things of their own volition, we should try it. It “saves face” for both of us.
If the cat is still protesting, wrap them in a towel for transport. This lets their claws dig into the towel, not us, and is more calming to the cat than trying to transport them while they are wildly flailing, which means someone is going to get hurt.
For long transports, put the cat into the carrier right away, back legs first, with an arm around their lower stomach for support.
Stand one of the hard-sided carriers with the side door, upright. Soft-sided carriers should be top loading for this reason. If we put them in with the towel, let them keep it.
I’ve seen speculation on using the Momma Cat Grab as a disciplinary tool since it is supposed to remind cats of their mother, who teaches them things.
But this is something even Momma Cats use only in cat handling emergencies.
We should follow her wisdom.
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There’s more ways to understand our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on WHY CATS DO THAT.
