How to pick up a cat like a pro - Vet advice on cat handling.

Summary

Dr. Uri Burstyn's video offers practical cat handling tips for pet owners. He emphasizes the importance of proper approach, gentle interaction, and safe lifting techniques to avoid injuries. The veterinarian demonstrates how to make a cat feel supported when picking them up, using a 'squish' method for restraint, and introduces the 'football carry' for quick transport. Additionally, he addresses 'shoulder cats', showing how to allow a cat to climb onto shoulders safely and how to manage them while wearing a hoodie or jacket. The video aims to educate viewers on creating a comfortable and secure experience for both the cat and the owner.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Approach a cat gently and let them sniff your hand to introduce yourself.
• 🐾 When petting a cat, use a light touch and be mindful that they can spook easily.
• 🙌 Pick up a cat by supporting their chest and abdomen to ensure their comfort and safety.
• 🚫 Avoid swinging cats around as it can be uncomfortable and unsafe for them.
• 🦵 Be aware that cats may scratch when they feel insecure or are trying to scramble for purchase.
• 🤲 When carrying a cat, hold them close to your body to make them feel secure.
• 🐈 If a cat is trying to escape, 'squish' them gently to restrain without causing harm.
• 🧣 Use a towel as a restraint tool to prevent scratches when a cat is scared or restless.
• 🔧 In emergencies, use the 'football carry' method to securely and safely transport a cat quickly.
• 🌟 Some cats enjoy being 'shoulder cats' and will naturally climb onto your shoulders for a comfortable position.
• 👚 Wearing a thick jacket or hoodie can make it easier for a cat to climb onto your shoulders and stay comfortable.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker is Dr. Uri Burstyn, a veterinarian in Vancouver, BC.

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to teach pet owners how to properly handle and manage cats.

What is the issue with swinging a cat by its body?

Swinging a cat by its body is uncomfortable and unsafe for the cat, as it can lead to injury and distress.

How should one introduce themselves to a cat?

One should introduce themselves by letting the cat sniff their hand, with fingers curled to avoid getting bitten, and offering a gentle scratch on the side of the face or a tickle under the chin.

Why should you be careful when petting a cat?

Cats can spook easily, so it's important to be gentle and use a light touch to avoid startling them.

How should you pick up a cat to ensure its safety and comfort?

To pick up a cat safely, use one hand under the chest and the other under the abdomen to support the cat's body, and lift gently to prevent it from hanging or flopping.

What common mistake can lead to injuries when handling cats?

Injuries often occur when a cat is held in a way that allows it to swing freely and scramble with its hind legs, potentially scratching the handler.

How can you carry a cat without it trying to escape?

Hold the cat close to your body and 'squish' it gently, making it feel secure and supported.

What is the 'football carry' method for carrying a cat?

The 'football carry' involves scooping the cat up with its head under your arm and its rear in your hand, squishing it tightly to your body for secure and safe transport.

What is a 'shoulder cat' and how do you handle it?

A 'shoulder cat' is a cat that enjoys being on the shoulder. To handle it, lean forward to allow the cat to climb up, and squish it gently to keep it secure on the shoulder.

What is the best way to put down a cat that has climbed onto your shoulder?

To put down a shoulder cat, lean forward gradually until the cat rights itself and decides to hang out or leap off your back.

How can a towel be used as a restraint tool for cats?

A towel can be used by placing it over the cat and squishing it gently, preventing the cat from scratching with its claws while being restrained.

Outlines

00:00

🐾 Proper Cat Handling Techniques

Dr. Uri Burstyn introduces his video series aimed at teaching pet owners practical skills. He demonstrates correct cat handling methods, emphasizing the importance of making cats feel supported and comfortable. He advises against swinging cats and shows how to properly pick them up with one hand under the chest and abdomen. Dr. Burstyn also discusses how to approach a cat, the importance of a gentle touch, and the risks of picking up cats incorrectly, which can lead to scratches and injuries. He suggests holding cats close to the body for safe carrying and introduces the concept of 'squishing' a cat to restrain it when necessary, using a towel for additional safety.

05:04

😸 Managing Shoulder Cats and Emergency Carry

In the second paragraph, Dr. Burstyn continues with cat handling by addressing 'shoulder cats,' those that enjoy perching on their owner's shoulders. He explains that while some people might be wary of this behavior due to the potential for scratches, it's a natural instinct for cats to climb. He demonstrates how to allow a cat to climb onto the shoulder and how to safely manage this, including squishing the cat to keep it secure. Dr. Burstyn also mentions the option of using a jumper or hoodie for added comfort and safety. He then shows an alternative method for putting a shoulder cat down safely and concludes the video with a reminder to enjoy the interaction with the cat, encouraging viewers to like and share the video.

Keywords

💡Veterinarian

A veterinarian, often abbreviated as 'vet', is a professional who practices veterinary medicine by treating animals for various health issues. In the context of the video, Dr. Uri Burstyn is a veterinarian from Vancouver BC, who is demonstrating proper cat handling techniques to pet owners, emphasizing the importance of comfort and safety for the cats.

💡Cat Handling

Cat handling refers to the proper way to approach, pick up, and manage cats. The video's main theme revolves around teaching pet owners how to handle their cats safely and comfortably. The script provides several examples, such as introducing oneself to the cat, supporting the cat's body when picking it up, and using specific techniques to restrain or carry the cat without causing harm.

💡Comfort

Comfort in this video refers to ensuring that cats feel at ease and secure when being handled by humans. Dr. Burstyn stresses the importance of making cats feel comfortable by supporting their body weight and using gentle, non-threatening techniques, which is crucial for both the cat's well-being and the safety of the handler.

💡Safety

Safety is a key concept in the video, highlighting the need to avoid actions that could harm the cat or the handler. For instance, swinging a cat by its body is discouraged as it can lead to scratches and discomfort. The video demonstrates safe ways to pick up and carry a cat, such as supporting its chest and abdomen, to prevent injuries.

💡Restraint

Restraint in the context of the video means the methods used to hold or secure a cat when necessary, such as during nail trimming or giving medication. The script mentions 'squishing' the cat as a safe and effective way to restrain it, preventing the cat from escaping or causing harm with its claws.

💡Shoulder Cat

A 'shoulder cat' is a term used to describe a cat that enjoys being perched on a person's shoulder. The video demonstrates how to safely allow a cat to climb onto one's shoulder and how to manage the cat while it is in this position. This behavior is part of the video's exploration of different ways cats can be comfortably carried or positioned by their owners.

💡Scratching

Scratching in the video refers to the potential injury that can occur when a cat uses its claws to gain purchase or escape an uncomfortable situation. Dr. Burstyn warns about the dangers of swinging cats, which can lead to scratches on the handler's arms, and provides techniques to prevent such incidents.

💡Towel

In the video, a towel is presented as an effective tool for cat restraint. It is used to cover the cat, preventing the cat from scratching the handler while still allowing for secure handling. The script illustrates this by suggesting placing the cat on a towel and then 'squishing' it for safety and comfort.

💡Football Carry

The 'football carry' is an emergency method of carrying a cat quickly and securely, as demonstrated in the video. It involves scooping the cat up with the head under one arm and the rear in the handler's hand, then holding the cat tightly against the body to prevent the cat from escaping or causing harm.

💡Support

Support in the context of the video is about physically holding a cat in a way that it feels secure and does not feel like it is hanging or flopping about. The script emphasizes supporting the cat's chest and abdomen when picking it up and suggests holding the cat close to the body when carrying it to ensure it feels supported.

💡Squishing

Squishing, as used in the video, is a technique for safely holding or restraining a cat. It involves holding the cat tightly against the handler's body to make the cat feel secure and to prevent it from using its claws to escape. The script provides several examples of when and how to use squishing to manage a cat safely.

Highlights

Introduction to the series of practical skills for pet owners by Dr. Uri Burstyn, a veterinarian.

Demonstration of proper cat handling with one-year-old girl cat, Claudia, and later Mr. Pirate.

Common mistake of swinging cats which is uncomfortable and unsafe for them.

Approaching a cat by letting them sniff your hand and introducing yourself gently.

The importance of a light touch when petting a cat to avoid spooking them.

Safely picking up a cat by supporting their chest and abdomen.

Avoiding injuries from a cat's hind legs when picking them up incorrectly.

Carrying a cat close to the body for a feeling of security.

Technique of 'squishing' a cat for restraint when necessary.

Using a towel as a safe and gentle restraint tool for cats.

The 'football carry' method for quickly and safely carrying a cat in an emergency.

Ensuring a cat feels safe and secure when held tightly.

Demonstration of 'shoulder cats' with Mr. Pirate who enjoys being on shoulders.

Handling a cat that insists on climbing onto your shoulder safely.

The convenience and precautions of carrying a cat in a hoodie or thick jacket.

Properly supporting and putting down a cat that has climbed onto your shoulder.

Encouragement to enjoy the video and share it with others.

Transcripts

Hi, my name is Dr. Uri Burstyn

I'm a veterinarian in Vancouver BC and I'd like to welcome you to my series of practical skills for pet owners

We're here today with Claudia, she's a little one-year-old girl cat and

We're gonna have Mr. Pirate joining us a little bit later just to talk a little bit about

Proper cat handling. So this might - it's gonna be a fun little video

We're just going to talk about how to approach and handle a cat

You know when I'm in clinics I often see people walking around swinging their cat like this

And it really just kind of makes me cringe because that's not comfortable for the cat or that safe to be honest with you

so I just want to kind of go over a little bit how to pick up a cat and different ways of managing them just

To make your life a little bit easier

You know when you're approaching a cat, it's nice to introduce yourself, you know, let them sniff your hand notice

I keep my fingers curled a little bit

So if the cat doesn't really want my company she can't really chomp me when my fingers are curled. So introduce yourself,

give them a little bit of a scratch just on the side of the face like that or a little tickle under the chin and

There we go. We just made friends with this wonderful little cat

If you're just approaching a cat to just pat them and have fun with them

You have to remember that cats can spook very easily. So you do kind of want to take it easy with them

They're also much smaller than us. So a light touch typically pays off with a cat

You can tickle them a little bit stroke them

But most people try to pick up cats and that's kind of we get into trouble

So the key to picking up a cat safely is to make them feel supported

So I always pick up a cat with one hand under the chest one hand under the abdomen and then we can lift them up

Sort of even forced gently. So they're not hanging down. They're not flopping about. That way they'll be

Comfortable and also that way you'll be safe because what happens when you have a cat swing free in the air

Is, they'll often start to scramble for purchase they'll get you with their hind legs.

They can do quite a bit of damage I mean and I've been scratched quite badly on my forearms just with a with a cat

going for a little bit of a paddle with their legs and

and

Raking me and this is quite common

It's probably the most common way people get scratched either if a cat just feels insecure

Tries to grab purchase tries to scramble up onto something out of your hands and that's when you get a little bit injured

It's very little kids swing cats around can can get a bit of strife that way

so just nice and supported hold them up and then if I need to carry a cat around

I usually just holding close to my body

And again, I'm just squishing them squishing them into myself, you know that way Claudia feels nice and supported

I'll put my hand out here for her put her paws down and you know

I can carry her around quite safely like this and and and she won't want to get away

Now if we do have a cat who's trying to get away from us?

We always squish that cat

If you're trying to hold the cat down

whether it's

To trim their nails or to give them a pill or whether you just want to have a cat not run off for a moment

Squish that cat. All you need to know about cat restraint is to squish that cat

again, feel very secure that way and they generally even if they're really scared like sometimes cats come to me in the clinic and they're

Quite afraid and you just gently squish them and they'll sit there and kind of not hurt themselves not hurt us

Just hang out and let us do our thing

If you have a towel handy

This is one of the best cat restraint tools around

You can just throw a towel in the caddy and squish over the towel

that way they won't get a claw into you if there are scrambling about a bit very safe and gentle and

Generally cats are very very happy to be squished like that

Now if you have one other thing I want to show you with Claudia. Hey, darling, where you going?

Is a football carry. So this is kind of an emergency way. If you really need to carry a cat through somewhere in a hurry

and

Maybe there's not much time

what you're gonna do this scoop her up, little football carry just like that. Little head's under your arm

butt in your hand and you squish her tight to your body and

with that little football carry

You can basically hold a cat very securely and very safely

Because it's really hard for them to rake you with their hind legs

If you're holding them like this just squish them really tight to your body. You don't have to worry about hurting a cat

they're very very tough little beasts and

You know just squish you against your bodies. Never going to do them any harm.

In fact, they tend to feel more safe and secure

When they're being held tightly

now, I'm just gonna

Say goodbye to little Claudia and bring Mr. Pirate in who's another cat and

Show you some shoulder cat techniques

Right. So we're here with Mr. Pirate to demonstrate a behavior that I call shoulder cats

So Pirate is a shoulder cat he loves being on shoulders. Some cats

This is their favorite position to be in it's really convenient for your cat like that because they're really easy to carry around

But some people get put off by shoulder cats. So let me show you why

All right, Mr. Pirate he's my handsome little he's 14 year old boy

Very handsome a little bit chubby. Quite beautiful though. Look at that face. Look at that face

So notice see how he tried to get up on my shoulder there for a second

So when we're hanging out with pirate his main goal is to get up on my shoulder

And that can be a little scary to people because if people are standoffish or if you understand what's going on

He could potentially scratch you because cats will naturally put their claws out to climb. So look at him

He's looking at my shoulder

all I have to do is lean down and he's gonna scramble his way up and a lot of cats are shoulder cats and this is

Great

Sometimes you've gotta be a little bit careful when a cat goes up on your shoulder because it can shoot off behind you and run off

And give your back a bit of a scratch or sometimes they try to scramble around the back of your neck

but as I said before squishing is your best friend when you're dealing with a cat so

You have a cat on your shoulder. You squish them nice and tight and he's gonna stay there

Now if you're wearing a jumper or a hoodie - something like a thick jacket

Cats can actually climb up on your shoulders and be really comfortable.

I've seen people walking around town with a cat in their hoodie

Usually it's a good idea to have a harness on them when you do that

But this is a really great way to carry a cat around. Now not all cats go for this.

But if you do have a cat who insists on being lifted up you basically just lean forward. Let me demonstrate that again

Okay

Notice, - Oh, I should show you how to put him down as well

But if you have a cat who wants to come up you lean forward and he'll just put himself up and you support his bottom

And there you have it and when you try to put him down, often he won't want to

So you have two choices one is just to lean back and they'll kind of leap off your back

not the safest thing. Two, is to support your little cat and just lean forward lean forward lean forward and eventually

They'll right themselves and hang out. So that's how you deal with a shoulder cat

Now I hope you enjoyed this video, please

give us a like, feel free to share it, and

Just remember to have fun with your cat.