What is a guard cat?
It is said that a cat rubs itself when you take the skin of its neck (called cat skin) in its hand and hold it. The skin is looser in this area, and some people mistakenly use the skin as a handle. Dr. Kelly C. Ballantyne, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois School of Veterinary Medicine, explains why your cat's skin is still being used: "Brushing can make some cats immobile, which can allow veterinarians (and owners) to do things without fighting with the cat, such as cutting nails or administering medication".
Another reason why people continue to perpetuate this wrong way of interacting with cats is that they think they are imitating what a mother cat does. "Cat owners may also feel that rubbing is a natural way for cats to reprimand each other, but this is not true," says Dr. Ballantyne. "While mother cats carry their kittens through the scrubland, this is to move them from one place to another when they are very young and is not a form of discipline".
"The garrigue can be uncomfortable and scary," says Dr. Ballantyne. "And while rubbing may temporarily immobilize some cats, it's not effective for all cats. If the cat is frightened during the experiment, it may change its strategy to get out of the situation, for example by hitting, scratching or biting".
How to hold a cat without rubbing it
There are many ways to safely restrain a cat without the need for rubbing. Duke University's Dr. Margaret Gruen says, "Much work has been done on how to handle cats without stress and fear. Allowing them to use at least one limb and providing them with distractions (such as tasty food) can be helpful when it comes to restraining cats. Most cats do well with a "less more" type of handling. Rubbing and stretching a cat will only cause it to have negative associations with the experience and gradually get worse. Brushing is often done as a shortcut, but in the long run, it has a cost for the cat's well-being and for the owner's willingness to take his cat to the vet".
Dr. Ballantyne recommends using a practical, everyday tool, such as a towel. "Some of the most common options are to allow the cat to hide its head under a towel or blanket or to gently wrap the cat's body in a towel. It is important that the towel provides even and uniform pressure, but not so tight that it interferes with the cat's breathing".
While Dr. Ballantyne's advice may sound technical, you've probably seen this technique in action before. The social media meme of a "burrito cat" is actually a cat that is restrained and obviously satisfied with the process. Dr. Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD, Diplomate - American College of Veterinary Behaviorists James Law Professor of Behavior Medicine, emeritus, tells us that he feels safe at the Temple Grandin. Grandin observed that animals that were gently restrained on all sides were comforted by this feeling. It's like swaddling a baby, and there are products on the market today that do exactly that, like Thundershirts.
If you have to hold your cat - it's easy
Forcing a cat to do something he doesn't want to do will probably not end well. If you have to restrain your cat, and you are using the burrito method, stop doing it if his resistance intensifies. Let him calm down and try again once he is comfortable. For routine procedures such as medication or nail trimming, waiting an hour or so can make the process easier. No matter what you do, rubbing a cat will only make things worse!
Tell us about it: How can you control your cat gently and safely?
