If you’ve ever picked up a cat and gotten a reaction that ranged anywhere from begrudging tolerance to full-blown existential crisis, you are not alone. Some cats act like you’ve personally betrayed them. Others immediately go stiff, eyes wide, calculating the fastest way to escape. And then, there’s that rare, mythical breed of cat that actually enjoys it—purring, nuzzling, possibly plotting world domination from their elevated throne.
So, do cats like being picked up? That’s the question. And instead of giving you the usual non-answer—“Well, it depends on the cat” insert vague shrug—this video is actually going to answer it. No fluff, no clickbait, no ten-minute buildup where I talk about ancient Egyptian cat worship before getting to the point. You will leave this article knowing whether your cat secretly loves snuggles or is just tolerating your nonsense because you control the food supply.
Because, let’s be honest, most cat owners don’t really know if their cat likes being picked up. We just do it and hope for the best. Maybe your cat purrs, maybe they stare into the void like they’ve just been drafted into an unpaid internship. Maybe they let you hold them for five seconds before engaging in full-body parkour to escape your grasp. Either way, by the end of this, you’ll understand why.
Imagine you’re going about your day, just minding your own business, and suddenly, a giant hand swoops in, hoists you into the air, and cradles you like an infant. No warning, no explanation. Just—lift off. That’s what getting picked up feels like for a cat. One minute, they’re on solid ground, perfectly in control of their destiny. The next, they’re airborne, legs dangling, completely at the mercy of a much larger creature that may or may not understand personal boundaries.
Cats are both predators and prey. This means they have two priorities in life: hunting things and not becoming lunch. In the wild, the only time they get lifted off the ground is either as kittens—by their mother—or by something with bad intentions. So when you scoop up your cat for a cuddle, their instincts kick in. Are they safe? Are they about to be eaten? Is this the end?
Some cats learn over time that being picked up doesn’t lead to disaster. Others remain deeply suspicious, convinced that every lift is a potential kidnapping. And honestly, can you blame them? If a 30-foot-tall creature grabbed you and started cooing at you in a language you barely understand, you’d probably freak out too.
Some cats love being picked up. They purr, they nuzzle, they make you feel like the chosen one. Others act like you just violated the Geneva Convention. Why the difference? Personality. Just like people, some cats are natural cuddlers, and others have an emotional range that hovers somewhere between “mildly irritated” and “actively plotting revenge.”
Breed plays a role, too. Ragdolls, for example, go limp when you pick them up, like a furry bag of flour. They were literally bred for this. Meanwhile, Bengals and Abyssinians have the patience of a caffeinated toddler and will likely rocket out of your arms before you even get a good grip.
And then there’s socialization. Kittens who are handled gently and frequently tend to be more comfortable with human touch. On the other hand, if your cat grew up under the rule of Lord Independence, where affection was strictly on their terms, congratulations—you now have a tiny dictator who will tolerate exactly three pets before invoking martial law.
At the end of the day, whether your cat enjoys being picked up or not is less about love and more about their personal comfort level. It’s not personal. Well, unless they stare directly into your soul while slowly pushing a glass off the counter. Then, yes, it’s extremely personal.
There is a right way to pick up a cat, and then there is whatever you’re probably doing that makes your cat want to file a restraining order. If your cat flails, squirms, or looks at you like you’ve committed a war crime, there’s a good chance you’re doing it wrong.
First, let’s talk about what not to do. Don’t swoop in from above like an eagle grabbing a fish. That’s an immediate nope. Don’t grab them under the armpits like they’re a toddler you’re about to toss in the air. They don’t have collarbones—what you’re doing is basically cat chiropractic malpractice. And for the love of all things fluffy, don’t scoop them up without supporting their back legs, unless you enjoy the feeling of tiny claws digging into your flesh.
Now, the correct way. Approach gently. Support their chest with one hand and their hind legs with the other. Think of it less like lifting a cat and more like securing valuable cargo. Keep them close to your body so they feel stable. If they start to squirm, respect the squirm. That is your cat’s polite way of saying, “I am done with this interaction, put me down immediately before I turn into a furry chainsaw.”
If you follow these steps and your cat still doesn’t enjoy being picked up, don’t take it personally. Some cats just like their paws on the ground. Think of them like people who hate hugs. You wouldn’t chase down a friend and force them into a bear hug (or at least, you shouldn’t), so don’t do it to your cat. Respect the boundaries, or prepare to be rejected in the most dramatic way possible.
Can you train a cat to enjoy being picked up? Technically, yes. Will it be easy? Absolutely not. You are, after all, trying to convince a tiny, independent creature that being restrained is actually a good time.
But if you’re determined, there is hope. The trick is to make your cat associate being picked up with good things—like treats, head scratches, and not being immediately smothered in unwanted affection. Start slow. Lift them for a second, then put them down and reward them. If they don’t immediately bolt under the couch, congratulations, you’ve made progress.
Gradually increase the time you hold them, always keeping an eye on their body language. Ears back? Tail flicking? That’s cat for “You have three seconds before I detonate.” If they relax, give them a treat and release the hostage before they decide to take matters into their own paws.
Some cats will warm up to it over time. Others will tolerate it at best. And a few will simply never enjoy it, no matter how many bribes you offer. That’s just how it is. You can’t force a cat to love being picked up any more than you can force a toddler to enjoy broccoli. So, set your expectations accordingly—because at the end of the day, your cat is training you just as much as you’re training them.
Some cats just don’t like being picked up. Not now, not ever, not even if you offer them a lifetime supply of tuna. And honestly, that’s fair. Imagine if your friend showed affection by randomly hoisting you into the air against your will. You’d reconsider that friendship real quick.
But just because your cat hates being lifted doesn’t mean they don’t love you. Cats show affection differently—through slow blinks, headbutts, and sitting near you like a tiny, judgmental gargoyle. If your cat leans into your hand when you pet them, congratulations, you are chosen. If they rub against your legs, that’s their way of saying, “You belong to me now.” If they bring you a half-dead bug? That’s… well, let’s just call it a gift and move on.
Instead of forcing unwanted snuggles, meet your cat on their terms. Offer a cozy lap, a gentle chin scratch, or some quality playtime. Some cats prefer a good brush, others just like sitting nearby while you exist in the same room. The key is understanding how your cat wants to be loved, rather than assuming they’ll appreciate affection the way a dog would.
And really, that’s the beauty of cats. When they do decide to climb into your lap or nuzzle your hand, you know it’s real. No fake enthusiasm, no people-pleasing. Just pure, selective, slightly arrogant love.
So, do cats like being picked up? Some do. Some don’t. Some tolerate it the way you tolerate that one coworker who always microwaves fish in the office kitchen—silently, with mild resentment. The real question isn’t can you pick up your cat, but should you? And if you value your dignity and the condition of your skin, the answer depends entirely on your cat’s personal opinion, which they will communicate very clearly—usually through claws.
At the end of the day, the key to a happy cat-human relationship is simple: respect the fluff. Your cat isn’t a stuffed animal. They are a highly intelligent, highly independent creature who is allowing you to live in their home rent-free. If they enjoy being picked up, great—soak in that rare moment of affection. If they don’t, show your love in a way they actually appreciate.Because here’s the thing—wait, scratch that. Because the truth is, when a cat chooses to love you, it’s on their terms, and that makes it all the more special. So whether your cat is a cuddly lap gremlin or a distant, judgmental overlord, just know that their affection, however limited, is genuine. And that, my friend, is worth more than a thousand forced snuggles.
