The cat will tell you.
this post was submitted on 03 Sep 2026
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its the right way when it stops hurting.
then its ok
I think thats more of a cat decision then an internet decision. That said, depending how much they want to be out of your arms, giving them a platform to jump from on your arm could result in some desperate breakout attempts.
she protests when i first pick her up and then shes fine (shes always a pitiful little victim)
Omg wait this is not only an opportunity for me to share one of the YouTube videos I quote the most, but it's also a legitimately helpful share! 😄
All you gotta do is squish that cat.
Clawdia is perhaps the most patient cat in history and shoulder cats rule 😄🥰
squish! that! cat! 📢
Sir that's a kangaroo
The cat will let you know, either way.
Upvote because I appreciate the MS paint drawing.... and it's a good drawing.... i just noticed the elastic on the waistband...
Most people would have used AI in this situation.
Can we get an actual photo of cat?
i have plenty on my profile
Supporting the feet can be helpful for cats who are nervous being held
Caillou asks
I don't see anything wrong with it. Looks supported. Every cat I've had who doesn't mind being carried climbs onto my shoulder, though.
I hold one of my cats this way. He loves it. He will, however, launch himself to a nearby landing spot very suddenly when he’s had enough. Which is also what makes this a good way of holding him, since it allows that freedom.
My cat is not a fan of being held but that's the way he tolerates it the most
A lot of cats do that when I pick them up. A lot of times I’ll adjust my grip and flip them over a cradle them like a baby. No cat has taken issue with it yet.
Funny enough my old cat only had an issue with being cradled, absolutely hated it, but had no problem being held out like a gun and pretend fired
It seemed every cat I ever picked up was cool with cradling. Then for years it seemed like not one cat would put up with it. Now I have one who is more tolerant of scoop/cradle than of any other method. It just seemed weird that it kind of went different ways in phases for me. I thought it would be more random.
I've had two cats who loved this and would hang out in my arms as long as I could hold them, and I've had one that hates it and would rather I just let his rear legs dangle awkwardly.
Claws?
she doesnt scratch
Are you sure you’re carrying a cat and not the ping pong set from the garage?
it's a good way to start. gives them a lot of control
if you're training to hold them then don't let them jump, slowly lower them and hold them until they touch the ground
then a treat maybe
I agree with everyone who says it's cat dependent with a lot of variation. My cat's favorite way of being held is for me to stick my arm through both sets of legs from behind so she's straddling my forearm, and my hand is holding her chest below her neck. She'll happily sit like that for ages, especially if I'm moving around and she can watch the scenery.
A prior cat preferred to be held like a baby, on his back cradled in our arms, but my current cat hates that.
I don't know why but most cats hate being held on their back like that even though it's my preferred way to hold a cat
I imagine it makes them feel very vulnerable, and most cats don't like feeling like that.
My only suggestion is to try to get their front paws above your elbow so that you can you use that arm to (gently, of course) hold them to your chest. Overall though, if the cat's weight is being supported by their feet and they're not falling off, you're all good!
I used to hold my cats this way, normally their preferred way.
I also liked holding their back paws while doing this, and give them a hug.
Or I would hold them like a baby.
My cat loves being held (he will come beg to be picked up and will throw a tantrum if I refuse) and he likes me to hold him similar to how you would hold a baby you would be trying to burp. I scoop him up so he is facing my torso with his head at my chin level, front paws on my shoulder, and one of my arms is under his butt and back legs supporting them in a sitting position and my other arm is free to either pet him or wrap around his back and hug him. He loves being hugged tight or snuggled and pet.
My other cat doesn't like being held nearly as much, but I've found that this is also the position that she's happiest in. She feels physically supported and also still has autonomy to look around and move and can easily signal to me when she wants down.