Scruffing a Cat: Why You Shouldn't Grab a Cat by the Neck, According to Vets

From knocking over your plants to scratching your furniture, cats get into their fair share of regular trouble. If they're in the middle of a precarious (or even dangerous) situation, you likely want to restrain them or move them to safety—and one way you might think to do so is by grabbing them by the folds on their neck, which is called scruffing a cat.

This is actually a natural behavior that should only be used by cat moms on their young or other animals—not humans, say leading veterinarians. Here's what experts have to say about why you should never use this maneuver.

What Is Scruffing?

Cats are born with loose skin on the back of their neck, which is called a scruff. "Scruffing refers to grabbing a cat by their scruff," says Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, chief veterinarian at Petco. Some people believe that scruffing is an effective way to restrain, move, or reprimand a cat, but it's not something that should be replicated by humans. The natural behavior is used between mother cats as a way to move or carry their kittens—not to discipline them.

Why Do Cats Grab by the Scruff? 

Cats are only grabbed by the scruff on their neck in limited circumstances: by their moms as kittens and during mating. None of these situations are useful to mimic in a home. Cats are also grabbed by their necks by predators and when fighting, but this is different from scruffing; it's a tactic used to immobilize cats. 

As Kittens

Cats are most commonly scruffed by their mother as kittens. "Kittens are born with an instinct to go limp when being carried this way," says Dr. Miller. "However, this instinct goes away during adolescence, and mother cats will naturally end scruffing behavior after their kittens are about two months old."

During Mating

Additionally, cats may be grabbed by their scruff during mating. "Tomcats will frequently bite the scruff of females they are mating with," says Gary Richter, DVM, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition.

Why You Shouldn't Use Scruffing

Scruffing occurs naturally in the wild, but it should never be used by cat owners for movement or as a form of discipline. In fact, it can have very negative consequences on your feline and their relationship with you.

Anxiety

Although you may see it as a way to reprimand or restrain an unruly cat, scruffing can be very stressful for your feline. "Scruffing eliminates a cat's ability to control their environment and movement, which can cause fear and anxiety and result in them batting your hand or running away,” says Dr. Miller.

Aggression

You may even find that scruffing has the opposite effect of disciplining your cat and can even make them more aggressive. "Scruffing can lead to aggression in your cat, since it can scare them or cause pain," says Carly Fox, DVM, senior veterinarian at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. "Both of these are common reasons why a cat may be aggressive."

Distrust

Not only is scruffing a cat a counterproductive way of attempting to restrain or immobilize them, but it can also lead to a lack of trust between you and your feline. "People should never hold or restrain a cat by their scruff, as it could compromise their trust with the human handling them," says Dr. Miller. Overtime, your cat may associate the pain they feel from scruffing with you—which may cause them to fear you.

Alternatives to Scruffing a Cat

Since scruffing can lead to stress and fear in cats, it's important to choose gentler—and more effective—techniques when handling them. Here are some alternatives.

• Secure Holding: When picking up a cat, place one hand under its chest and the other under its backside. Hold the cat close to your body to help it feel secure and supported.
• Burrito Method: Gently wrapping a cat in a towel is a great way to safely restrain a cat when necessary. Place a towel over the cat's back, wrapping it snugly but leaving its head exposed, and hold it securely. This method helps prevent scratching and reduces stress.
• Give Time and Space: If your cat is hesitant to be handled and you're not in a rush—like before a vet visit—then allow your cat time to come out of hiding or approach you on its own. You can encourage this with treats or favorite toys.