This document provides guidance on safely handling cats to avoid bites and stress. It discusses identifying cat body language and behaviors that indicate stress, how to minimize stress when cleaning cages and handling cats, and proper restraint techniques for medical procedures. Key recommendations include paying attention to a cat's body language, giving cats space to hide, and using the least restraint necessary while keeping other animals away.

1. Don’t bite me!
Safe Cat Handling
October 7, 2011
Tania Huycke-Phillips, Foster & Facilities Coordinator

2. What were we doing before
the cat bit or tried to bite?
• Cleaning it’s cage
• Carrying/holding it
• Putting dogs or other cats near it
• Putting it near other cats or dogs
• Putting it in sight of other cats or dogs
• Performing medical procedures
• Trespassing/disturbing its territory

3. What was the cat doing before
the cat bit or tried to bite?
• Cowering in the back
• Vocalizing (growling, hissing, yowling)
• Stiff, tense body
• Flicking tail tightly, or tail tucked tightly
• Pupils dilated, bug-eyed, or direct stare
• Ears back or to the side
• Ill or in pain
Adult animals can inhibit their bite.
If they bit hard, they meant to.

4. Concerns for Confined Cats
• Presence of other cats or dogs disturbing
• Need somewhere to hide
• Difference between feral and pet cats
• Resources and position
• Need for control and predictability
• Need for outlet of natural behaviors
• Aggression often fear orientated
• Behavior in the cage may not reflect
behavior in the home.

5. Furnishing the Cage –
Stressed Cat
• Before you open a cage, close doors!
• Sanitize hands between (scent & health)
• Somewhere to hide: litter box, bed, paper bag
• Bedding & toys
• Cover front with towel
• Litter, food, water at front of cage
• Canned food if not eating
• Minimal disturbance – spot clean
• Only remove items if soiled (scent comfort)
• Difficult cat – play the claw game to pull items
forward (Don’t reach in!)

6. Handling Cat in Cage
• Prevent cat from seeing other cats
• If reacting (growling, hissing), do not touch
(redirected aggression)
• Watch surroundings (someone bringing a cat or
dog through, water spray)
• Try to get cat to come to you (cat makes
decision, start on positive note)
• Lift with control, point away from other cats
• If you must move a feral or aggressive cat, use a
net
• Uses carriers always when moving!

7. Removing cat from carrier
• Allow cat to move out of its territory on its own
• Assess body language and if ok, reach into carrier,
scruff cat and remove
• If cat is tense, remove top of carrier, scruff cat and
remove, or place towel over cat’s head and body
and remove animal
• If aggressive, do not remove from carrier, put
entire carrier in cage with door open

8. Restraint Precautions!
• MINIMAL restraint! Use the least amount
of restraint necessary to accomplish the
task. Can adjust to more restraint as
needed
• Close all portals in the room (doors,
drawers, cabinets)
• Work in an area cleared of debris
• Use pill poppers
• READ CAT’S BODY LANGUAGE!
• Ask for help!

9. Restraining the Head
Scruffing: grabbing loose skin behind head and neck
• Grab high for better control of head.
• Support body when lifting – never lift cat by scruff
alone!

10. Lateral Restraint
1. With one hand, scruff cat and brace the same arm
against the cat’s spine
2. Grasp rear limbs in other hand and roll cat on side
3. Hold top rear limb and tail, while using edge of hand
to put pressure on lower rear limb
4. Struggling cats - wrap with towel, muzzle,
or ask for help!
Ideal for:
Blood draws for
FeLV or Triple
Tests

11. Restraint Equipment – Cat Muzzles
• Size Matters!
• Grasp scruff and one tab of
muzzle with same hand
• Bring muzzle up and around other side of face and
secure on top behind ears tightly (velcro)
• Make sure cat’s nostrils are exposed

12. Escape!
Cat is calm:
•Pick up safely with control and put cat in clean crate if cat
consistently escapes
•Don’t allow to wander: risk of spreading disease, may get
stressed by other cats, or may cause stress to other cats
Cat is stressed/fearful/aggressive/feral:
•Keep room door closed.
•Inform a supervisor always!
•Only supervisors and specifically approved staff are allowed
to capture escaped dangerous cats.

13. Special Handling Equipment
You must be trained in how
to use these items safely
before using on own
•Gauntlet gloves*
• Towels*
• Carrier
• Squeeze net
• Pole net
*Cat can bite through!

14. Why? To avoid this: