Glossary

Scruff

The loose skin at the back of a cat's neck, which a mother cat grips to carry kittens but which adult cats should not be lifted or held by.

Also called: scruffing, nape, scruff of the neck

The scruff is the loose, thick skin at the back of a cat's neck. A mother cat picks up her kittens by it, and young kittens respond by going limp and curling up, which makes them easy to carry. The reaction fades as they grow, and it is not a reliable way to calm a bigger cat.

Do not lift or restrain an adult cat by the scruff. Its body weight is too great for the skin to bear comfortably, and most cats become frightened rather than relaxed. Cat-friendly handling guidelines for vets advise against scruffing as routine restraint. A cat that feels trapped may bite, scratch or learn to fear handling altogether.

Better options are a towel wrap, a quiet room, letting the cat stay in its carrier while a vet examines it, and calm, slow movement. When you must pick a cat up, support the chest and hindquarters. If your cat needs medicine or grooming that it fights, ask your vet for handling advice or a lesson.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Kitten A cat in its first months of life, from birth until about six months to a year old, a time of rapid growth, learning and vaccinations. Neonatal kitten A kitten in its first two weeks, born with closed eyes and ears and unable to regulate its own temperature or toilet without its mother. Righting reflex The reflex that lets a falling cat twist its body in mid-air so it lands on its feet. Hissing A sharp, breathy warning sound a frightened or angry cat makes to tell another animal or person to back off.

Related guides

Found a very young kitten: what to do first What to do when you find a very young kitten outdoors: check for the mother, keep it warm, judge its age and call a vet or rescue before you try to feed it. How to pick up and carry a cat How to lift and hold a cat so it feels secure, when not to pick a cat up, why scruffing is discouraged, and how to carry a frightened or sick cat.