Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

Why scruffing a cat is something you should never do according to experts

Paige Cerulli
By

For years, scruffing a cat – grabbing the loose skin around the neck – has been touted as a safe and humane way to restrain your pet. Thought to mimic the way that a mother cat would pick up her kittens by the scruff, this restraint method has been used by vets, groomers, and pet owners. In some cases, handlers would pick cats up by the scruff of the neck. But the views on scruffing are changing, and it turns out that this type of hold can be unnecessarily stressful for cats. There are better ways of restraining a cat to maximize their comfort and safety, and news about the problems with scruffing is starting to get out.

Cat being scruffed at a vet's office while having its leg bandaged
Hanna Taniukevich / Shutterstock

Why scruffing is a problem

Veterinary behaviorist Stephanie Borns-Weil and veterinary technician Michelle Damon took on the matter of scruffing cats in the TuftsNow “Ask the Expert” column in 2019. Their article made several arguments against the practice.

Recommended Videos

While many vets have been taught that scruffing replicates the way that a mother cat carries her kittens, the article points out that kittens have a reflex that makes them go limp when they’re lifted by the scruff. That reflex is lost by the time cats are adolescents, so older cats will tense and even fight being scruffed.

Related

While kittens might find it relaxing to be carried around by the scruff, the practice makes older cats scared and stressed. Adult cats are held by the scruff when a predator attacks them, so it’s easy to see why the behavior is less than relaxing.

This view against scruffing is quickly gaining in popularity. The International Cat Care charity has also issued a formal statement against scruffing.

Alternatives to scruffing

The TuftsNow article advocates for the use of other means of restraint that are more humane and comfortable to the cat. Gently cupping a cat’s head and jaw provides stabilization and restraint without evoking the immediate stress response that scruffing creates. You can put an e-collar on your cat, which can prevent them from being able to reach around and bite you as you’re working with them. Some cats do well when you put a towel or light blanket over their head so they can’t see you approaching and handling them. You can also carefully wrap your cat into a blanket or towel so they’re not able to scratch you while you handle them.

Grey cat being held by the scruff of the neck
victoras / Shutterstock

Think about why restraint is necessary

In some situations, like administering veterinary care, it’s necessary to restrain a cat. In these instances, it’s essential to carefully and appropriately administer restraint while keeping a cat safe and minimizing their stress. Your veterinarian can demonstrate appropriate restraint techniques if you need to care for your cat at home.

If you need to restrain your cat for care processes like trimming their claws or giving them a pill, then think about ways you can make these common events less stressful for your cat. If your cat struggles against nail trims, regularly handling their paws can teach them to accept this process. Touching your cat’s paws and then giving them a treat can teach them that having their paws handled is a positive experience, possibly making them more cooperative with nail trims and other times when you need to physically work with your cat.

Final thoughts on scruffing

You may have relied on scruffing as a mode of restraint for years, and that’s understandable. Until recently, we really didn’t understand how unpleasant and stressful this restraint was for cats. Now that we know better, we can do better. Rather than scruffing your cat, look for alternative ways to handle them while also helping to keep them comfortable. If you have the time to work with your cat gradually, you may be able to get them more comfortable with whatever treatment they need, so the experience is more enjoyable for you both. If the matter is more urgent, then ask your vet to help train you in how to best work with your cat. Using humane restraints helps minimize stress, making these experiences healthier and safer for your cat.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
What you need to know about crating a cat at night
Tips to make introducing your cat to a crate easier for you both
Kitten in a crate

In most cases, your cat probably roams around the house at night. They might visit you in bed, hunt for any bugs that have gotten into your home, or try to start a game of tag with your dog or other cat. But sometimes it's necessary to restrict your cat's movement.
Crating a cat at night can help with injury recovery, can aid in litter box training, and might even be necessary to help keep your cat safe. If you're considering crating your cat, you'll need to be prepared with the right type of crate and introduce it carefully to help your cat learn to accept it. Crating a cat isn't always easy, but these tips can better your chances of success.

Reasons for crating a cat
There are a number of situations where it can be helpful to crate your cat. Some are temporary, while others may be long-term solutions, such as when your cat disrupts your sleep.

Read more
Why doesn’t my cat meow? Here are 5 reasons why your feline friend is silent
Physical and mental reasons why a cat suddenly stops meowing
Bengal cat lying down, looking at the camera

It's not exactly news that cats communicate with humans by meowing, In fact, you may have already learned to recognize what each of your cat's meows means. If your cat stops meowing, though, you might have a problem.
Some causes of this odd change are normal and harmless -- and some will even resolve quickly -- but there are also potential causes that can be much more serious. This is why it's important to get your vet involved early on. If you're wondering "why doesn't my cat meow?" you'll want to get to the bottom of the issue to determine whether your cat needs additional help.

Why doesn't my cat meow? Emotional upset could be the cause
If you think that "my cat doesn't meow," it might be because they're stressed or upset. If your cat is experiencing significant change, like having just moved into a new home, they may be staying quiet out of fear. The same is true if you've recently brought a new pet home. Your cat may be trying to avoid the new pet and any resulting fights that could occur if they meow and make noise. Alternatively, something like the loss of a companion or a recent illness could cause a kitty to feel shut down and quiet.

Read more
Why do cats like to sleep on the bed with people? This common behavior explained
Does your kitty adore sleeping on your bed? Here's why that's so normal
Orange cat sleeping on a bed covered by a blanket

Few first-time cat owners expect their cats to be affectionate, yet many cats seek their owner's attention. Compared to dogs, cats are typically thought of as more standoffish and less loving. That's certainly not always the case. You may be surprised when your otherwise aloof cat prefers to sleep in your bed over any other place in the house, but cats have many reasons for wanting to sleep in your bed. Read on to learn why your cat likes sleeping in your bed and the pros and cons of letting them do so.

Reasons your cat likes sleeping on your bed
How did your bed become your kitty's favorite sleep space? Several reasons could be in play.
Your cat loves you
Though they sometimes act indifferent, cats love people just as much as dogs do. Sleeping in your bed may be your cat's way of letting you know they care. When your cat sleeps with you, they show that they enjoy your company. This is especially common if you met your cat during the first four to nine weeks of their life when imprinting occurs. If you were a stable and caring presence during this time, you've likely imprinted on your cat and gained their complete adoration and trust.
Your bed is oh-so-comfortable
Cats can sleep up to 15 hours a day -- they are sleep pros. They’ve probably tried to nap in every spot in your home, so they know the comfiest, warmest, and best locations for napping. It makes sense that they would try sleeping in your bed. And all the blankets and pillows you put on your bed for yourself only make it more enticing for your cat. After all, you find your bed comfy, so why wouldn’t they?

Read more