Times to scruff a cat!

farthing · 20-02-2009, 08:28 PM

We had an interesting morning at the vets today, a client's cat escaped outside the surgery. The owner came in a panic and announced he'd escaped. He had run across the busy road and was in some of the gardens, obviously, he didn't know the area. Her cat box had fallen apart as she carried him in.
Anyway we ran across the road and he was totally freaked out, every time she go a hold of him he would wriggle out of her grasp, she wasn't very confident, and take off again. Finally she caught him and managed to hold him until I got there. I told her I'd scruff him, and did so. Thankfully he settled and I managed to get him into the vet's without too must distress to him or damage to me. It was a situation, in which I felt, for the safety of the cat I had to be strong. The owner understood, but I'm interested as to how you would have felt!

Elaine · 20-02-2009, 08:33 PM

I personally would have done the same and would feel releived if some one did that for me and any of my cats.
It's definately a situation where you have to react and as you say be strong for the best out come.

cats' staff · 20-02-2009, 08:54 PM

Wel done- I would have been very grateful had it been one of mine! Done properly, which I'm sure you did, it doesn't hurt them and they just have to relax as though Mum had picked them up. It is a good job you were there and confident with handling.

smokytopaz · 20-02-2009, 08:57 PM

OK this is essential knowledge for me, scruff a cat? How? Pick them up as mama cat does, surely they get to heavy for this?

cats' staff · 20-02-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokytopaz

OK this is essential knowledge for me, scruff a cat? How? Pick them up as mama cat does, surely they get to heavy for this?

If you pick them up by the scruff in the right way they just go floppy- it doesn't hurt although they do seem to remember the indignity for a long time........

smokytopaz · 20-02-2009, 09:14 PM

Oh lor, sorry to be pedantic, what is the 'right' way?

farthing · 20-02-2009, 09:31 PM

I don't mean I carried the cat across the road by just the scruff. I held his scruff while supporting his body, I held on to his scruff to control him and prevent him from taking off again.

cats' staff · 20-02-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokytopaz

Oh lor, sorry to be pedantic, what is the 'right' way?

Er, hard to describe but my vet showed me so perhaps ask for a demo? There is a lot of loose skin at the back of the neck and you pick them up by it and they sort of flop. As Farthing said tho' you don't do it for long and support their weight. She can probably describe it much better than I can! I wonder if there is a video somewhere?

angieh · 20-02-2009, 10:01 PM

Here's a picture. You would support the cat's weight with your other hand under their hindquarters.

I'd be happy to be helped in this way farthing and I'm sure the poor puss would too - hate to think what might have happened otherwise.

dandysmom · 20-02-2009, 10:11 PM

Farthing, I'd be delighted if that had been my cat! The right person at the right time. I've never had to scruff a cat but would do so in a situation like that. Well done you!

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