Like humans, pets need love and affection, and if you own a cat or small dog, you may have the occasional need to pick them up and cuddle them. Although not all pets are cute simply because they are small, in fact a 90 pound Labrador Retriever is more likely to jump on your lap and demand to be held than a very nervous independent 5 pound Pomeranian, small pets need to be treated . with in a different way than their larger counterparts.

When you have a cat or dog that has a fairly delicate build and weighs less than 10 pounds, your pet’s body can only withstand the bumps and shakes it can withstand. If you decide to pick them up, as you inevitably will, there are a few things you can do to prevent injury while allowing your pet to feel loved and comforted.

The best way to lift a cat

Most cats are, by nature, twisted and independent creatures that resist being picked up and carried. If they are ready for love and affection, they will reach out to you and climb onto your lap. But, when you need to pick up your cat to show discipline, remove it from an area, or take it to its cage, you need to know how to avoid an all-out battle.

You should approach your cat indirectly to avoid confrontation, trying to lift it from the right or left side. By gently placing one hand under the armpit area and using the other to support the rest of the cat’s weight, if you have a restless, uncooperative feline friend, you can still carry it without causing any harm.

How to lift a dog

While we’ve all seen the stereotypes of Hollywood celebrities and socialites who carry small dogs in their arms, purses, and laptop bags, the truth is that small dogs are not necessarily docile. Not all breeds are the type that wants to be carried and carried, and even in public situations many are happier with a leash that they can run and explore on.

Even at home, some small dogs have an introverted and withdrawn temperament by nature, rather than being little balls of affection that constantly want to play, be cuddled, and loved by their owners. If you are interested in having a small dog because you want a quiet, loving companion who is happy to be carried around, do your research before adopting.

If you have the type of dog that likes to be held and held frequently, it is important that you learn how to do it the right way. It is a good idea to pick up the dog when on all fours, whenever possible, and placing one arm around the dog’s shoulders, allowing you to cradle its head as you would a small child. You can then use your other arm to slide around the dog’s stomach, or if that’s uncomfortable for either of you, around its hind legs and hindquarters. The smaller your dog is, the easier it will be to achieve this. Depending on their own size and strength, dogs over 45 pounds may need more than one person to lift them, although the only time this should be necessary is in case of injury. Any dog ​​over 30 pounds is unlikely to want to be lifted, so it’s not a big deal for pet owners.

Remember that your small dog is delicate and handle him with care every time he needs to be picked up. Avoid placing your arm in such a way that it presses against the dog’s throat or it may cause serious injury.

A word of caution

Although you will see many behaviorists and training experts take a puppy by the neck to discipline him in a way that replicates the way mother dogs often keep their puppies at bay, it is not a maneuver that we endorse. If you are training a new puppy, your veterinarian or training specialist will work with you to help you without causing harm or pain to your dog.

Because the anatomy of cats is slightly more delicate, you should never pick up a cat by the neck unless the cat was trained to respond to this as a kitten. Again, proper training from your vet is necessary before attempting this, so it is best left to the professionals. If you grab a cat by the neck, you run the risk of causing paralysis and other devastating injuries, especially if it is an adult cat. For the sake of both of you, don’t pick up a cat by the neck.