A pet is an important family member, especially if it’s a cat that you want to hold and cuddle all the time. But even such a simple thing as picking up a Ragdoll cat should be done with care to ensure that both of you feel at ease. It is essential to approach and treat your furry friend with understanding, as this is a true expression of love.
So, let’s try to figure out how to pick up and hold your Ragdoll correctly and comfortably for both of you.
How to Pick up a Ragdoll Cat?
For us cats, getting to know each other before any hands-on contact is essential. So, before picking up a Ragdoll cat, take the first step and let my fellow brother/sister sniff your hand. Then, gently stroke their fur a few times. Among cats, such a gesture is considered a display of trust. Of course, you don’t have to go through the drill over and over again with the same kitty, as you will probably soon enough be a well-established team in this regard!
Congratulations! Now, you are officially allowed to pick up your Ragdoll friend. Let me walk you through the routine.
The best way to do this is by placing one hand under their chest and supporting their rear end with the other. This way, your Ragdoll will be most comfortable, and you won’t accidentally put pressure on any part of their chest or abdomen. Also, keep them upright against your body. The more tactile contact there is between you and your cat (especially around their chest area), the easier it will be for them to relax and enjoy.
It’s best to accustom your Ragdoll cat to picking it up since they are kittens. It’ll help foster a sense of trust and familiarity between you and your cat, making handling easier and more comfortable for both of you throughout their life.
But keep in mind that we cats are creatures of personality. What I’m implying is what one cat likes, the other won’t. It can go from the poses we like to be cuddled in to preferring not to be picked up at all.
What should you pay attention to when picking up a Ragdoll cat to ensure they enjoy it as much as you do?
Check for dilated pupils, nervous tail wagging, crouching down, and unpleasant sounds, e.g., hisses, growls, or even meowing in a different tone of voice. These are the signs of distress. If this happens, give your furry friend some space. When the time comes, they’ll come back to you, asking for cuddles. It’s just like when it’s Thanksgiving, and your grandma wants to give you a big smooch out of the blue – you may be out of the mood for that at the moment. And so are we.
If your kitty doesn’t want to be picked up at all, it’s okay. The reason for this preference might have nothing to do with you. My friend, the Bengal Bengie, doesn’t like to be picked up and held, but he loves his hooman parents to the moon and back!
As cat parents, your role is not to impose your desires on your furry companions, even from their earliest days as kittens. Instead, it’s about attentively tuning in to the individual preferences and comfort levels of your Ragdolls, each with their own distinct personality and needs. But hey, if you’re here reading my blog, you’re on the right track, my friend!
No-Go’s: Don’t pick up your Ragdoll cat like this
As lovely as it feels to pick us up, there are a few no-go’s that need to be clarified beforehand:
- Do not pick Ragdolls up after feeding them. You know what it’s like when you’re full to the brim and are already undoing the buttons on your pants to take some of the pressure off your belly. We feel the same way after eating.
- Never lift them by the scruff of the neck. Even if cat mothers carry their kittens around this way, you hoomans are not suitable for imitating them, especially after the cat reaches adolescence. The grip can cause them great pain and even health issues. This is because the weight, borne solely by the neck and spine, surpasses the maximum load these body parts can safely carry. Moreover, as potential dangers such as birds of prey would attack in this way, we cats naturally associate this grip with additional fear and stress.
- Do not pick up Ragdoll cats under the armpits like a baby. This “technique” is uncomfortable for them, causes insecurity (especially if they are swung around), and gives them a lot of room to maneuver with all their paws, increasing the risk of scratching and potential drops from significant heights.
- Never lift them overhead or far away from your body. This can cause a fear of heights and a sense of danger. Better keep them at a medium level and closer to your body.
- Do not pick up Ragdoll cats with only one hand. This can cause discomfort and imbalance, and they have already stopped feeling the solid ground under their paws.
How to Hold a Ragdoll Cat?
Now, let’s move on to the holding and carrying. The first thing to keep in mind is that we Ragdolls are rather large cats, and we are not as comfortable in a raised position for a long time as smaller breeds (Screw gravity!).
As I mentioned earlier, different cats prefer different cuddling positions. So, when holding a Ragdoll cat, give them the chance to scootch around for a bit and nestle comfortably into your arms. Pay close attention to the chosen positions for future cuddles!
But of course, I have some tips for comfortably holding us for you to give a try:
- Gently press the cat against your chest like a baby and support them with their hindquarters and shoulders. Try different variations of this position: belly-up (like a hooman baby) and belly-down (like a sphinx).
- Place your Ragdoll’s front paws on your shoulder so that they can watch the world behind you. Their butt continues to sit on your hand or arm. Use the rest of your hand to hold a Ragdoll cat gently against your body.
- Some cats like to climb onto people’s shoulders. In this case, you can lean down and let your baby climb onto your shoulder, supporting its rump with your hand. This is generally more suitable for kittens, as it will not be very easy for you to hold adult Ragdolls in this position for a long time, given their size. However, you can try leaning comfortably on the back of a sofa or armchair, which will help reduce the strain on your shoulders and neck.
Whether you use one of the methods above or your own, keep the following in mind: The more points of contact the cat has with your body while being held or carried, the more snug it will feel. This way, you take away the cat’s fear of falling down, securing a great snuggly experience for you both.
Safely Setting Ragdolls Down
If your Ragdoll no longer wants to be held, please let them go immediately. Do not hold them against her will, otherwise they won’t enjoy being carried anymore. Signs of their discomfort include excessive movement, nervous behavior, kicking, or meowing. If possible, put your furry friend down before they begin to fidget or once they’ve stopped.
Some of us jump off the lap on our own. To ensure that nothing bad happens, it is important not to abruptly let go like a sack of potatoes, but to lower your Ragdoll cat yourself. If you’re close to the ground, consider bending down, or if there’s a nearby piece of furniture or a familiar spot, encourage them to jump off safely. This ensures that the height isn’t risky for them (or for you, if they use their claws to push off).
The best thing to do is to accompany a Ragdoll with your hands – one of them supporting their chest as usual – until they have (almost or completely) solid ground under all their paws. Only then can you slowly retreat your hands and let them go.
What if a Ragdoll Doesn’t Like to Be Held?
Please don’t get upset if your pet doesn’t wish to chill on your arm only briefly or at all. Not every Ragdoll cat wants to be picked up and this has nothing to do with a lack of affection. There are cats that are completely relaxed in your arms and could fall asleep there. And there are Ragdolls that feel uncomfortable when they are not in control, and this is the case when being carried.
Just as you and your bestie don’t agree on all of your preferences, characters also vary from cat to cat. Maybe your cat expresses their love in a completely different way – that can enchant you (at least) just as much. Or they may simply not always be in the mood, just like you.
If your Ragdoll cat doesn’t like to be held, give them some space to come to you in their own time. It’s okay to test whether a cat can be picked up, but it’s important not to have any expectations. Remember, your kitty isn’t a baby who must be held close, nor an inanimate toy that simply tolerates everything.
Keep these tips in mind and pass this written treasure on to your children and others. After all, every one of you hoomans loves to pick up cats and carry them around. What can you do? Show them how to hold a Ragdoll cat, explain the step-by-step routine, and only then allow them to do so under an adult’s close supervision. If a child is not big or strong enough to hold the cat on their own, they can sit next to it and have a fun time together. If the cat seems uneasy or grows impatient, it’s your responsibility to promptly notify the child and assist them in safely setting the cat down. This ensures the well-being of the cat and prevents the child from getting scratched.
On behalf of all cats, I, Kylie, thank you, my dear hooman, for showing interest in properly handling Ragdolls. Enjoy cuddling with your furry baby!
Till next time!
