If you’ve ever had a cat, you’ve probably wondered what goes through their mind when you pick them up. Their furry little faces don’t exactly scream their inner thoughts. But understanding your cat’s perspective can help strengthen your bond and make them more comfortable with being handled.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Most cats experience a mixture of surprise, uncertainty, and even fear when first picked up. With trust and positive reinforcement it’s possible to make them feel safe and secure. Now let’s explore the details…
Cats Experience an Initial Fight or Flight Response
Being Suddenly Lifted Triggers Instincts
When humans abruptly pick up a cat, it can trigger their innate fight or flight response. Cats are predators, but also prey, so they are wired to react to sudden movements or disturbances. Getting swooped up by giant hands probably makes many cats feel like they are being grabbed by a predator.
This causes an adrenaline rush and activates their instinct to flee or defend themselves.
Cats may exhibit body language signaling fear, stress or discomfort when picked up. Common signs include tensed muscles, swishing tail, flattened ears, wide eyes, and scrambling to get down. The startled cat may also meow, hiss, or even scratch or bite the human.
This is simply their reflexive reaction to what they perceive as a threat, before they realize it’s just their owner.
Signs of Fear and Uncertainty
Once lifted, a cat often remains apprehensive while being held. Their eyes may continue darting around and ears stay flat against the head. They might wriggle or make attempts to jump down. Some cats may freeze entirely, not moving a muscle until placed back on solid ground.
These behaviors all suggest the cat is not fully comfortable with the experience.
There are certain ways of holding a cat that tend to make them more uneasy. Supporting their chest and hindquarters while allowing the limbs to dangle straight down is unnatural for felines. They feel vulnerable and insecure because they cannot easily twist or jump free.
Tight squeezes or restraint can also increase distress.
Kittens Are More Accepting Than Adult Cats
Kittens who are frequently handled, cuddled and picked up from a young age generally become more tolerant of it as adults. But kittens plucked from mom and litter too early may be skittish and frightened more easily when lifted. Adult cats are the most likely to resist being held.
With patience and positive reinforcement, even grown cats can learn to better tolerate being picked up. But their primal instincts remain, and they are unlikely to ever enjoy prolonged restraint. Respect your cat’s boundaries, and limit handling to short durations.
If they exhibit signs of distress or attempt to escape, return them gently to the ground.
Their Past Experiences Affect Reactions
Kittens Benefit from Early Positive Handling
Kittens that experience gentle, affectionate handling by humans during their first 2 months tend to become more tolerant of being picked up later in life (ASPCA). At a young age, kittens are still forming associations in their brains between stimuli like touch and the appropriate emotional response.
So positive, rewarding early experiences with humans lead to cats that enjoy and seek out human touch as adults.
In one study, kittens that received just 10 minutes per day of gentle human handling during their first 7 weeks showed less fear and aggression toward humans even 6 months later (Mertens and Turner, 1988).
Clearly, early positive experiences have an enormous impact on how cats perceive being picked up later on.
Cats Develop Trust Through Consistency and Care
For adult and senior cats, consistent caring experiences continue to shape their trust in being handled. Many cats dislike being held because it makes them feel physically vulnerable. But cats that live with humans who interact with them using patience, care and respect tend to grow more tolerant of things like being picked up.
Cats are observant animals who learn through repetition, so consistent gentle handling helps them come to expect no harm from human touch. Things that build trust and reassure cats when being picked up include:
- Speaking in a calm soothing voice and praising them
- Confidently supporting their full weight properly
- Limiting handling to 5-10 minute sessions so they don’t feel trapped
- Providing treats, play or affection after returning them safely to stable ground
These measures reinforce to cats that the experience is safe and sometimes even rewarding. In this way, adult cats can often overcome difficult early experiences through patient care and handling by trustworthy humans.
Rescued Cats May Need Extra Patience and Reassurance
Sadly, many rescue cats and strays have experienced abuse, deprivation, instability, or even prolonged periods without human contact. According to one 2017 study, over 80% of relinquished cats had received no obedience training, socialization or exposure to handling as kittens (Grimm).
Unsurprisingly then, cats from uncertain backgrounds often show fear and defensive aggression when first picked up. But fortunately most respond well to slow acclimatization with kind, trustworthy handlers.
In fact, going slowly to build confidence and using rewards afterwards have been found highly effective in reducing struggling and aggressive behavior in newly adopted adult cats (Kessler).
So while early positive experiences provide lifelong benefits, rescued cats can overcome traumatic histories given sufficient patience. Their learned trust in gentle handling brings comfort and closeness with their new human companions.
You Can Make Picking Up More Enjoyable
Let Them Approach First Before Lifting
Cats feel more secure and comfortable when they have control over a situation. Before picking up your cat, get down on their level and extend a hand, allowing them to walk over and sniff you first. This gives them a chance to inspect you and consent to being held.
Wait for them to rub against you or bump your hand before sliding both hands under their belly and lifting up gently.
Use Tasty Treats and Praise as Positive Reinforcement
Most cats don’t inherently enjoy being picked up and handled. However, you can help them to associate it with positive things by offering treats and affection immediately after. Keep a stash of their favorite crunchy treats in your pocket.
As soon as you set them down, reward them with a treat and some verbal praise like “Good kitty!” This reinforces that being picked up leads to good things happening.
Opt for Slow, Gentle Movements
When lifting your cat, move slowly and cautiously to avoid startling them. Slide one hand under their chest and another under their hindquarters to support their weight. Bring them close to your body in a cradling position for security.
Lower them down gently, keeping a firm hold until their feet touch the ground. Sudden or rough movements are likely to scare them and make them distrust being handled.
Pay Attention to Their Body Language
Your cat’s body language will reveal how they feel about being picked up. If they go limp, avoid eye contact or their ears go flat back, they are probably unhappy or feeling stressed. Put them down immediately and try a slower approach next time.
Signs they feel comfortable include leaning into your hands, relaxed open eyes and upright ears. Talk in a soothing voice and pet them while holding so they feel calm and secure.
Conclusion
The truth is, most cats never learn to love being picked up and held. But by respecting their boundaries, moving slowly, and rewarding desired behavior, you can help make the experience less frightening.
With time, patience, and care, it’s possible to have a cat that tolerates or even enjoys a occasional cuddle in your arms.
