How To Pick Up A Kitten (with Pictures) - WikiHow Pet

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How to Pick Up a Kitten Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Last Updated: July 20, 2025 Approved

• Handling Newborn Kittens
|
• Dealing with Stray Kittens
|
• Assuring Your Kitten's Comfort
|
• Dealing with Behavioral Issues
|
• Video
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 90% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 43,363 times.

Learning how to pick up a kitten safely and carefully is very important. Kittens should be taught to be held early on, so they'll be easier to handle as adults. It may be necessary to hold your cat to do things like move it into its crate for a vet's trip. Make sure your kitten is relaxed before picking it up, and make sure you support its whole body. Pay attention to your kitten's body language as you hold it. Soothe your kitten if it seems distressed. Issues like biting and scratching should be addressed appropriately. You do not want to encourage aggressive behavior in your pet.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 4:

Handling Newborn Kittens

1. 1 Wait until the kittens are about two weeks old to handle them. Unless absolutely necessary, refrain from handling newborn kittens until they're at least two weeks old. The mother cat will be extra protective up until this age. The kittens are also more susceptible to infection and disease.[1]
   • If you have to handle the kittens before this age, wear gloves. You should also wash your hands first.
2. 2 Wash your hands before and after handling newborns. You should wash your hands before and after handling kittens. If you have sanitary gloves, it's a good idea to wear these while handling kittens.[2]
   • Wash your hands under clear, running water. Lather them in soap for about 20 seconds, making sure to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
   • If you have young children, make sure they also wash their hands before handling the kittens.
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3. 3 Be considerate of the mother. Even when you know a cat well, you can expect a mother will be protective of her babies. When handling the kittens, keep an eye on the mother. If she seems distressed or aggressive at any point, talk to her in a soothing voice to keep her calm. You want the experience of being picked up to be positive for your kittens, and a nervous mother can affect the experience in a negative way.[3]
   • Many people believe a mother cat will reject her kittens if they get a person's smell on them. This is a myth. Even if the mother cat appears concerned, she will not reject her kittens just because you handle them.
4. 4 Pick the kitten up with two hands. Place one hand under the kitten's chest to support it. Take your other hand and place it under the kitten's back legs and bottom. Even if a kitten is very small, you should still use two hands for comfort. You want to make sure the kitten is as comfortable as possible.
   • A kitten may squirm, especially if it's never been held before. If a kitten wriggles, talk to it in a soothing voice instead of putting it down. You do not want a kitten to think it can get out of being held by squirming.[4]
5. 5 Hold the kitten close to your chest. After you've lifted the kitten off the ground, being sure to use both hands, pull the kitten to your chest. This will help the kitten feel secure, and help you hold on to the kitten safely. Kittens are fragile, and you don't want a kitten to fall. Keep supporting the kitten with both hands as you hold it.
   • Make sure to pet and soothe the kitten throughout the process. You want the kitten to have a good experience being held, as it's important for the socialization process.
   • You can expect a kitten to be a little nervous the first time being picked up, so be prepared for some wriggling and scratching.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 4:

Dealing with Stray Kittens

1. 1 Assess the situation first. If you find a litter of stray kittens, assessment is important before you act. How to handle the situation depends on the age of the kittens and whether there is a mother present.[5]
   • Kittens under two weeks will still have their eyes closed. You should not attempt to handle these kittens on your own. See if a mother is present, and call a local humane society.
   • Kittens with open eyes crawling around are probably around four weeks old. They will still be dependent on a mother, so do not move them until you figure out whether a mother is present.
   • If the kittens are moving around freely, they are probably older than four weeks. There's a chance they may be feral, so do not handle them. Instead, work on providing a shelter.[6]
2. 2 See if the mother returns. If you find kittens without a mother, watch and wait. The mother may return, in which case you will have to capture her alongside the kittens. This is especially important for very young kittens who are dependent on their mother for milk.[7]
   • Watch and wait for about a day to see if the mother comes back. In the meantime, you can provide food, water, and something like a box or carrier for shelter. This ensures you're keeping the kittens safe without removing them from their mother.
   • If the mother comes back, try to figure out if she's a stray or feral. If she is a stray, she will be somewhat friendly towards people. If you approach her, especially with food or treats, she will likely let you pet her. A feral cat, on the other hand, will be very skittish of contact.
   • In the event you find a feral cat, many animal shelters recommend a TNR policy, which stands for trap, neuter, return. You would trap the mother, have her fixed, and return her to the wild. Older feral cats are hard to domesticate. Depending on the age of the kittens, you may be able to domesticate them and find them homes.
3. 3 Catch the kittens in a trap or carrier. There's always a chance stray kittens could be feral, so do not simply pick them up and bring them inside. Feral cats will be very stressed out if they're brought into someone's home. Instead of taking the kittens inside, provide them with some shelter to keep them safe.[8]
   • You can buy and set up a no-kill trap, which you can purchase online or at a pet store. There should be instructions that come with your trap for safe use.
   • You can also set out a carrier. If you put food or treats in a carrier, the kittens may enter on their own. You can then close the carrier and transport the kittens to a safe area.
4. 4 Wear gloves if you need to handle the kittens. You should not handle stray kittens without gloves. They could be carrying diseases, and may also have weakened immune systems from being outside. You may have to pick up some kittens to place them in a carrier and bring them inside. Wear gloves if this is necessary.[9]
   • Remember to hold a kitten with two hands, using one hand to support the chest and the other to support the back legs.
   • Hold kittens close to your chest to prevent them from squirming and falling.
5. 5 Make the kittens at home. Set up an area in your home to keep the kittens until you can get in touch with an animal shelter. Place food, water, a litter box, and bedding in this area.[10]
   • Stray kittens may be shy, so provide boxes where they can hide. However, make sure you can easily reach into any boxes. You may have to pick up the kittens again to take them to the vet or an animal shelter.
   • You want to make sure the kittens are warm enough. You can wrap a towel around a heating pad, set to low, or a bottle filled with hot water.
   • Make sure a litter box is shallow enough for small kittens to climb in and out.
6. 6 Contact an animal shelter or veterinarian. Professional guidance is important in these situations. The kittens will need a veterinarian evaluation and may need special care. If the kittens are very young and do not have a mother, for example, they have a slim chance for survival without bottle feeding.[11] It's also important to get the kittens to an animal shelter if you do not have the space and resources to care for them. Advertisement

Part 3 Part 3 of 4:

Assuring Your Kitten's Comfort

1. 1 Identify any reasons your kitten may not like being held. If your kitten dislikes being held, try to evaluate why. It may associate being held with something unpleasant. Once you identify the triggers, you can work on avoiding them when picking up your kitten.[12]
   • For example, some kittens may associate being held with going to the vet. Kittens need more frequent vet trips for things like vaccinations, and your kitten may only previously have been held to be put in the crate for a vet visit.
   • If this is the case, work on holding your kitten when you're not planning a vet trip. Make sure the carrying crate is out of site, and pick up your kitten gently. If it appears distressed, talk to it using a soothing voice to keep it calm.
2. 2 Learn what your kitten likes. You want to make sure you're holding your kitten in a manner it enjoys. Kittens like to be held in different ways. When holding your kitten, pay attention to when it seems most calm and comfortable in your arms.[13]
   • Your kitten may like to, for example, rest its paws on your shoulder. Other kittens may enjoy being held with their paws dangling outward.
   • Most kittens dislike being held in a cradled position, like an infant, as this can create distress. However, in rare cases, kittens may enjoy this. You can try holding your kitten like a baby. If it dislikes this, stop right away.
3. 3 Do not hug your kitten. Kittens do not take well to hugging and squeezing. This is usually uncomfortable and can create distress. You do not want your kitten to associate being picked up with anything negative. Hold your kitten loosely. Hugging your kitten can make it feel restrained, which most cats dislike.[14]
4. 4 Be careful when walking. If you walk while carrying your kitten, watch your step closely. A small mishap when walking, such as tripping or falling, can create negative associations with being held.[15]
   • Be careful where you carry your kitten as well. Kittens will dislike being carried near ledges or staircases as they'll fear falling.
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Part 4 Part 4 of 4:

Dealing with Behavioral Issues

1. 1 Use positive reinforcement. You want your kitten to know it needs to behave when being held. Cats and kittens don't take well to scolding, so do not chastise your kitten for squirming. Positive reinforcement is much more efficient. Reward your kitten when it behaves appropriately while being held.[16]
   • Go slowly, if necessary. With a particularly skittish kitten, start with gentle petting and handling before you move on to holding. Use positive reinforcement throughout the process. You should also gradually lengthen the amount of time you hold your kitten.
2. 2 Do not put the kitten down if it squirms. Many people will immediately put a squirming kitten down for fear of distressing the cat. While you do not want to upset your kitten, you should not put it down when it squirms. It's important a kitten is used to being held, and you do not want to teach it resisting will result in it getting its way.[17]
   • Instead of putting down a squirming kitten, continue to hold it. Try to calm the kitten by petting it and talking to it in a soothing voice.
   • Once the kitten has calmed down, continue to hold it for a couple of minutes before putting it down. This will teach the kitten it must behave to get its way.
3. 3 Address biting appropriately. Many kittens do not know good boundaries. They may bite or scratch when being held. This is not always aggressive. Kittens may bite or scratch as a form of play. However, the behavior needs to be addressed. You do not want a kitten to learn to bite as an adult.[18]
   • As scolding does not work, simply ignoring the behavior is best. If your kitten bites or scratches when you attempt to pet or hold it, ignore it for a few minutes. Then, try again.
   • Only give your kitten attention when it stops biting and scratching.
4. 4 Accept your kitten may not like being held. Not all kittens will enjoy being held. It's a good idea to get a kitten to at least be calm and cooperative for short periods when being held. However, not all kittens will purr or snuggle in your arms. Do not force a kitten to allow you to hold it if it does not like it. You can find other ways to bond with your kitten, such as petting it and playing with it.[19] Advertisement

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Tips

• If a kitten appears to have no mother, watch it for a few hours before removing it from it’s place, unless it is in immediate danger. If no mother appears to be present after a few hours then it might be a good idea to address the situation. Thanks Helpful 14 Not Helpful 0
• If you are not the owner of the kitten, ask the owner before handling it in case the kitten is prone to scratch or bite people or the kitten is ill. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 0

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Warnings

• Remember kittens have sharp claws and teeth. They are not afraid to use them if they feel unsafe. Thanks Helpful 13 Not Helpful 3

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References

1. ↑ https://pethelpful.com/cats/NewbornKittens-WhatYouNeedToKnow
2. ↑ http://fixnation.org/2011/04/momma-mia-7-important-tips-when-caring-for-momma-cats-and-kittens/
3. ↑ http://fixnation.org/2011/04/momma-mia-7-important-tips-when-caring-for-momma-cats-and-kittens/
4. ↑ https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/play-exercise/how-to-pick-up-a-cat?lightboxfired=true
5. ↑ http://www.feralcatfoundation.org/Resources/If-You-Find-Kittens
6. ↑ http://www.care2.com/causes/7-things-to-do-if-you-find-stray-kittens.html
7. ↑ https://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/pets/article/what-to-do-with-stray-kittens-10-dos-and-don-ts
8. ↑ https://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/pets/article/what-to-do-with-stray-kittens-10-dos-and-don-ts
9. ↑ https://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/pets/article/what-to-do-with-stray-kittens-10-dos-and-don-ts

More References (10)

10. ↑ http://www.care2.com/causes/7-things-to-do-if-you-find-stray-kittens.html
11. ↑ http://www.feralcatfoundation.org/Resources/If-You-Find-Kittens
12. ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/5-keys-to-picking-up-and-holding-your-cat-the-right-way?page=2#0_mm2m3rfj
13. ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/5-keys-to-picking-up-and-holding-your-cat-the-right-way
14. ↑ http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/how-to-pick-up-and-hold-a-cat
15. ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/5-keys-to-picking-up-and-holding-your-cat-the-right-way
16. ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/5-keys-to-picking-up-and-holding-your-cat-the-right-way
17. ↑ https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/play-exercise/how-to-pick-up-a-cat?lightboxfired=true
18. ↑ http://www.allfelinehospital.com/kitten-training.pml
19. ↑ http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/how-to-pick-up-and-hold-a-cat

About this article

Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This article has been viewed 43,363 times. 79 votes - 90% Co-authors: 14 Updated: July 20, 2025 Views: 43,363 Article SummaryX

To pick up a kitten, start by placing one hand under the its chest and the other hand under its back legs. Then, gently lift the kitten and bring it to your chest to keep it secure. If the kitten squirms, don’t put it down right away, because you don’t want it to think it can get out of being held by wriggling away. Instead, pet it and speak soothingly to it so that it’s a positive experience for the kitten. Additionally, avoid hugging or squeezing your kitten since it can make it uncomfortable and cause distress. For advice from our Veterinary reviewer on how to deal with a kitten that doesn’t like to be held, keep reading. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Veterinarian Co-authors: 14 Updated: July 20, 2025 Views: 43,363 90% of readers found this article helpful. 79 votes - 90% Click a star to add your vote

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"I am a 9 year old kid who happens to love cats. My friends and I have adopted two kittens and one mom cat. We were..." more

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"I still haven't actually gotten my kitten, but this will come in handy when I do. Thank you so much! " More success stories Hide success stories

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