As with all things, our intention and execution plays a huge part in how it is received. If we are anxious, compassionate, angry, or frustrated—all of that will be conveyed when we connect through physical touch.

The term scruffing refers to a physical hold done on cats which utilizes a grasp of the loose skin at the back of their neck. In recent years there has been a very large push against it—and for good reason, because most individuals do not know what they are doing when it comes to handling cats. This push, with the best of intentions, has become somewhat frustrating for feline centric professionals as it can be a positive and supportive method when executed properly.

The Push Against Scruffing

International Cat Care is one of the leading organizations that promotes a very strict “No Scruff” platform. They define scruffing as “restraining a cat by firmly gripping the loose skin at the back of the cat’s neck, [sometimes] accompanied by lifting the cat up or heavily restraining the cat in other ways.”

While a huge portion of their platform is promoting respectful handling of cats, their definition of scruffing is extreme and inaccurate, thereby creating a very serious and enflamed divide between people who love cats and people who work with cats.

International Cat Care and other organizations quote two very specific articles, claiming that scruffing causes undue distress to cats and is an abusive method of handling. However, as you can read from the article here, that is not the conclusion that was discovered by either Christopher J. Andrews or David G. Thomas.

In March of 2022, these gentlemen did a study which was published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior. The study looks into the efficacy of pinch-induced behavioral inhibition in domestic cats. (The efficacy of pinch-induced behavioral inhibition...)

For those of you who are unfamiliar with clip restraints (formally known as pinch induced behavioral inhibition or PIBI) they are commonly used to restrain cats during clinical procedures. They discovered that out of 142 cats, 95 of them (66.9%) were effectively restrained with only one cat out of that population sample exhibiting an overtly negative response. Specifically, the cat vocalized and aggressively tried to remove the clips. 

In fact, Emily Caldwell recently posted an article in The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Science in January of 2023 which discovered that 30 out of 31 cats responded positively to gentle pressure/squeeze at the skin on the back of their neck as long as they were not already agitated or upset. This type of handling only continued to show more confidence and improvement by cats who had repeated experience over three months.

"Cats generally seemed more content, sometimes even purring, and less fearful during veterinary procedures when clips were used instead of restraint by some other means." 

(Buffington, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, February 2008)

Studies have found that heavily restrained cats do exhibit a high amount of unnecessary stress. Several individuals did a study in Applied Animal Behavioral Science in 2018 where they looked into the negative response to restraint in cats. Cats were restrained according to treatment and asssesed for behavioral and physiological responses: during their placement into the restraint, actively being restrained, and post restraint. The study showed that 95% of cats struggled and stressed being placed into full-body restraint in comparison to passively restrained cats. This was the first study that showed scientific evidence and validation that full body restraints negatively affected the welfare of cats during handling. However—-proper scruffing is not considered a full body restraint and is in fact considered a passive restraint by veterinarians and animal behavioralists. Other forms of passive restraint include:

• Elizabethan collars
• Pharmaceutical restraint
• Pinch-induced behavioral inhibition (PIBI)

Effectively, Anti-Scruff organizations have taken a humane and safe method of restraint and twisted it into an ugly narrative that paints pet professionals and feline specialists as unnecessarily rough and borderline abusive due to their lack of experience and education.

Most veterinarians or groomers do not like to enter the Scruffing Debate as any association with it immediately impassions thousands of people who begin throwing accusations that they are cruel, unkind, and shouldn't be working with cats. In fact, it's much safer for most individuals to just not allow the cat's owners to accompany them at the back of the grooming salon or at the vet clinic.

The fact of the matter is that cats do at times need to be restrained for clinical procedures or grooming. As an entire association dedicated to holistic health of felines in our care, we're going to have that uncomfortable conversation.

In my professional experience, there are three different types of scruffing. Scruffing as a means of restraint, scruffing as a means of discipline, and scruffing as a means of physical manipulation. As pet professionals and owners the first question you must ask yourself before placing your hands on any cat is what is my intention, and what is the best way to proceed? Identifying the energy and purpose behind any form of touch is going to be imperative before successfully handling an animal.

The Need For Feline-Specific Education

Cats are extremely sensitive creatures and are notoriously medically fragile when it comes to a wide variety of cardiac and respiratory issues. Many of which, are heavily triggered by stress. If you have not had formal education or training by reputable organizations such as The National Cat Grooming Institute or the Fear Free Certification I do not suggest you attempt any types of restrictive holds. Mishandling as well as over-handling can potentially lead to major cardiac events, trauma, and even death. In cases of cats who are obese, suffering from arthritis, or have other underlying medical issues—incorrect handling can also exasperate their condition.

The Fear Free Certification Program's official stance on scruffing is: 1.3 Restraint of any animal that could be painful and/or cause emotional distress is prohibited. The use of physical punishment or force in anger or frustration is unacceptable. Which, we absolutely agree with.

Every time you pick up a cat to perform any type of service on them, you are conditioning them. The ways in which you handle them are going to factor in whether it's a positive or a negative association. Most cats are not willing to sit on the table and await these tasks and unlike a dog physical restraints such as loops and nooses are extremely unsafe. So where do you even start?

Scruffing As A Means Of Restraint

The word 'scruffing' is so incredibly tainted now that veterinarians have turned their language to another phrase, and unfortunately groomers really haven't come up with their own.

Although the National Cat Grooming Institute does not have a public or open opinion on scruffing, as a Certified Feline Master Groomer and a high-traffic cat-exclusive grooming business, I do use scruffing as a means of restraint. The majority of my clients are extremely anxious or aggressive and no amount of sweet talk, slow blinking, or Churu smeared on the table is going to keep them there.

A few key things here that play an important part of my handling techniques and methods.

At the beginning of every appointment I take the time to do an extensive physical assessment on the cat that allows me to identify their temperament as well as any triggers they may have from contact. Some cats are naturally wary of specific areas being touched and this is an important time to identify where those spots might be and if any handling modifications need to be made during the appointment. This is something every pet professional working with cats needs to be doing. Keep in mind, limiting the physical examination and services to one handler is key as some cats can become immediately out touched when being manipulated by more than one individual.

When pet professionals need a cat to stay still it is usually because a service needs to be performed. Depending on the cat’s temperament and experience with being handled, the methods and levels of restraint are going to vary. Seasoned and well conditioned cats will have a tendency to be more compliant for medical and grooming services while other cats may need to be safely restrained.

Quite typically, during a grooming appointment in particular a green collar or a purple and white Air Muzzle is going to be used. Sometimes the simple placement on the cat subdues them, similar to wearing clothing and they somewhat just lay there. Other cats, become instantly terrified and don't like anything around their neck.

Under no circumstances should cats ever be placed into a noose or lead. It only takes a brief moment and a slight trigger to cause strangulation and death. Unlike dogs, cats can and will harm themselves to get out of an unfavorable situation. Canine methods of handling cannot be applied to felines.

It is true that harsh and inappropriately utilized scruffing can cause emotional distress in cats, however, potential emotional distress does not supersede potential death and serious physical injury. This is why feline specific information is so detrimental to all pet professionals. Especially when most individuals can't identify the difference between true stress and discomfort of being touched/worked on. Lots of people claim that they can "read cats" or "really know cats", but the fact of the matter is that is simply not true. 

I have heard and read of claims that ‘cats are not actually happy’, ‘it’s stress purring’, ‘they’re not compliant it is emotional shut down’, etc; however, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims and current research shows us that if cats are eliciting an unfavorable or stressed response while under pet professional care, scruffing is not the root of the problem. In fact, according to a study done in 2008, they performed a host of tests which showed that this “clipnosis” (scruffing technique) did not cause cats pain.

While it would be absolutely wonderful to simply say, “please stay, sir” the fact of the matter is that we are working with live animals which don’t always know the expectations of what we are wanting from them.Some services are necessary for the health and hygiene of the animal.

A variety of methods are usually used in place first, such as cupping their head with the crook of an arm or even gentle lap placement. However, situations do arise that more methods of restraint are necessary.

So let’s talk about properly scuffing holds and when to use them. And let me tell you -- you will know immediately if the cat is not receptive to that type of touch as they will immediately flinch, turn around to bite, or become agitated. That is not the cat we are talking about. 

The Slight Suggestion

A two finger ‘hold’ which is just enough touch to suggest to the cat that they need to sit still. No pressure is applied. It is simply a hand or finger placed on the back of the neck. This is important as the touch and pressure is both limited, but this area indicates the need to stay or wait, and is a method of intuitive touch. 

The Gentle Reminder

A two finger hold which has slight pressure to gently remind the cat that they need to stay there. Not a pinch, but faint compression. The skin on the back is slightly lifted between the fingertips. Placement supports a quick reaction in case a firmer hold is necessary. This would be executed for example if the cat is beginning to tense the muscles to get up to move and you're performing a sanitary shave and it's safest if they don't. 

A five fingered grasp where the skin of the neck is gently tucked between the palm, thumb, and fingers. Knuckles of all four fingers should remain connected and the thumb is used to direct as needed. The skin is not pinched and fingernails/tips should never be dug into the skin. Enough of the skin is in the palm of the hand to allow for soft folds in between. Pressure should not exceed that of a blood pressure cuff, and hold should not be prolonged past a few minutes. This is a hold which tells them, "I"m sorry, but no you need to stay here for this." 

A key component of cat handling for any professional is mind your intentions and energy. If you're holding them out of anger, fright, frustration, or anything other than simple holding they're going to pick up on it and it's going to become a behavior modification technique rather than a safety hold.

Stay within your means of experience and education. If harsh scruffing has been your main method of restraint, is it because you’re not sure of where to safely put your hands, or are you struggling to hold them because they do not want to be compliant?

If you find yourself using harsh scruffing methods because you are afraid of getting bitten or are not quite sure of how else to hold them, deferring to someone with more experience is necessary.

If you are having to use harsher holds after what started off as a fairly compliant session, then you need to stop, modify, and potentially analyze if the cat is even able to successfully finish. Cats are very consensual and communicative creatures and they will tell you when they are reaching their threshold and when they are done. It is the responsibility of the pet professional to recognize that communication and to follow the cat’s bodily autonomy. Most cats have a capacity for touch and when you have exhausted that, they can and will become quite wiggly and potentially agitated.

Modifications to your services can include anything from medicated support such as Gabapentin, isolating the care needing to take place that day, and even following up with another session a different day. Shorter and more frequent appointments will help your cat quickly become comfortable and acclimated. If you must pause services or defer to someone with more experience and confidence in cat handling you are not any less of a professional. Knowing your capabilities and limitations serves everyone involved.

A Closer Look At Extreme Cases

Extreme cases are always the exception and never the rule. There are times when a situation may arise when temporary and firm scruffing is required. For example, providing medication to an aggressive and reluctant cat or doing a pelt removal on a cat that is not a candidate for sedation.

If you are not formally trained to recognize emotional shut down, stress, anxiety or symptoms from feline medical conditions, then you should not be attempting to provide services when a cat is anything short of compliant.

Being able to differentiate between aggression and stress is the difference between an angry cat and a dead cat.

The natural progression of these holds happen as the cat responds/reacts, always taking into consideration the cat’s health, emotional state, previous trauma, current condition, and the services which are being requested.

For example, rectal checks may begin with a gentle reminder but ultimately end with a “I’m sorry but no you have to stay still” as the thermometer is inserted.

As ever, the best way to set up your cat for success is going to be early positive conditioning from a young age. This includes not only being handled by a variety of pet professionals but exposure to new sensations and environments.

Scruffing As A Means of Physical Manipulation

Cats definitely have more touch preferences than dogs. A seasoned cat professional is going to have an arsenal of moves that they can utilize for handling. Ultimately, there are situations in which scruffing is the most realistic, humane, and safe way for both cat and human to proceed.

One thing to keep in mind when utilizing scruffing as a means of physical manipulation is to never allow the full weight of the cat to dangle. If you must scruff to move, place your hand on the back of their neck for security and stability, while ensuring their weight is being born either by your other hand or their lower body.

A good example of scruffing for a means of physical manipulation includes pelt removal from a matted cat. Working in sensitive areas such as the arm pits, stomach, and genital area may trigger a bite response from the cat. Air muzzles and other cat cones are a great solution to preventing bites. However, in situations such as matting a scruff may be necessary to help keep the cat still from wiggling or keeping skin taught to prevent cuts by the blade.

If you find yourself in a position where harsh holds are necessary for a prolonged period of time. Then you may need to stop, analyze, then modify.

Consistent, respectful, cat specific handling techniques will help your cat become comfortable and confident with whatever services are being done to them. While many individuals seek services when there is an imminent need rather than from a young age, cats can still learn to cooperate and even enjoy interactions with pet professionals. Positive conditioning and counter conditioning is necessary. You cannot and should not push a cat past their threshold.

I have found that when a cat feels respected, safe, and confident in what is happening to them the necessity of any type of restraint greatly diminishes. Remember, compliance is trust. Trust may be easily given by some but it is hard to earn back by all.

Scruffing As a Means Of Discipline

Scruffing is a very heated debate and most definitely a trigger word in the cat community. Whenever I get into a discussion about scruffing, more often than not, they’re referring to scruffing as a means of discipline. A type of scruffing which is usually executed with an unfavorably firm grasp, nails and fingers digging into the skin, with lots of intense and angry energy.

I’ll keep it short and simple. Don’t ever put your hands on an animal if you’re mad at them. No one was ever made to feel better by being hit or handled roughly.

If your cat is climbing on the counter and you want to get them off, chewing your electric cords, scratching at your couch, or defecated on your bed—-none of these are reasons to harshly handle your cat. One thing all pet professionals should agree on is that when it comes to behavior or any type of training animals there is only conditioning. And I guarantee you that if you hit or harshly handle your cat for jumping on the counter, they’re not making the connection of counter to consequence. They’re learning that you coming near means pain and discomfort. Groomers or veterinarians who mishandle cats easily can set them up for a lifetime of trauma that makes each interaction exponentially more difficult.

Cats hold onto stress and trauma in their bodies. When you expose them to an unfavorable experience they’re going to hold a grudge. Working within each individual cat’s threshold is the key to a positive relationship between the person and the cat. 

Change the Narrative

As we work to make cat grooming and cat handling more mainstream we need to support each other and change the narrative on what the realities of cat grooming looks like. As an in-home cat exclusive groomer I welcome all of my clients to remain with me for the duration of the groom. When needed, I will appropriately scruff and I always take the time to explain and point out behavior indicators. This results in educated clients, comfortable and trusting cats, and more importantly cats who are then positively conditioned to realize that the tasks I am about to perform will in fact not kill them, and they're not about to die. As these relationships and awarenesses build, the amount of scruffing is greatly reduced as a simple hand placement reminds them to stay. 

Always ask yourself, is my touch causing pain or emotional distress to this specific cat? Or do they just not want a thermometer in their butt? Do they not want me to get this tangle out?