They can do that because kittens have a reflex in which their bodies go totally limp when picked up by the scruff—a reflex that is lost by adolescence. What is often seen as “relaxation” in a scruffed cat is actually behavioral shutdown. In adult cats, scruffing triggers fear and stress rather than relaxation.
Scruffing removes the option to retreat and a sense of control for the cat, which commonly results in an escalation of stress, fear, and anxiety. Lifting a cat or suspending their body weight by the scruff is unnecessary and could be painful.
Cat scruffing takes away their sense of control: This increases their fear and stress, potentially leading to aggression. Scruffing is uncomfortable and may even be painful for the cat. Scruffing could also damage your relationship with your cat.
Cats can be temporarily paralyzed by pinching the skin on the back of their neck. This is called "pinch-induced behavioral inhibition" (PIBI) or "scruffing" or "clipnosis" (a composition of clip and hypnosis, because clips are often used in veterinary or scientific settings to keep cats immobile).
International Cat Care is against the use of scruffing as a method of restraint, because of the stress and distress it can cause to cats.
Place your forefinger and middle finger on top of the cat's head and your thumb and ring finger under the jaw. This hold is a great alternative to scruffing calm cats, while allowing you access to scruff the cat if absolutely necessary.
It seems to be common knowledge that scruffing a kitten will temporarily calm them as it is the way their mothers pick them up to move them around, HOWEVER... scruffing a cat past 8 months of age isn't a good idea. The heavier they get the more problems this can cause.
About 0.055 seconds. But seriously… you should never pick an adult cat up by its scruff. The loose skin at the back of a cat's neck is not meant to support an adult cat's full body weight; the tissues can tear, injuring your cat.
Species appropriate punishment such as “hissing” or the use of punishment devices such as a water sprayer, can of compressed air, or hand held alarm are better than using any physical techniques since they are less likely to lead to fear and retaliation.
Cats are very sensitive creatures and will become overstimulated by too much petting, regardless of how much they enjoy it. Some cats are overstimulated much more easily than others and may even react violently if touched in the wrong way.
You can cause serious injury to your cat and it is quite likely to be painful. This is especially true for heavier cats, but adult cats of any size really shouldn't be carried this way.
This can be a pleasure thing or a dominance thing. Some cats will do this because they like to… and will do it to other cats, stuffed animals, dogs, etc. If it doesn't bother your other cat – then maybe it is not worth worrying about. Make sure the cat doing this behavior has plenty of playtime, toys, and stimulation.
“Cats don't forgive, and once they realize a person is causing them anxiety or hurt, they keep away.” So says John Bradshaw, an anthrozoologist at Bristol University and author of “Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet.”
Spraying cats with water from a squirt bottle is not a reinforcement; it's a punishment. Giving your cat a choice of ways to express his behavioral needs and then rewarding his use of the choice you prefer is the best way to encourage your cat's “good” behavior.
In addition to being petted, do cats like to be held? Sometimes. Most cats love to snuggle, and they're typically responsive to being held if you introduce them to it gradually. The best way to approach your cat for a hug is to start with a few soft pets, then carefully pick them up.
Going limp is actually a pretty rare reaction from a cat. If they're used to being held, most will find a comfy position and relax. If they're not used to it you can get anything from light struggling to outright fury.
Don't use your hands to pin the cat down or wrestle with her. In addition to the danger of you ending up injured, it changes the tone from play to battle where the cat views you as an opponent. Cats don't wrestle their prey to the ground and they don't want to be wrestled to the ground by an adult human.
Being scruffed as an adult can be highly intimidating, and, as explained above, may lead to negative emotions such as fear and distress. Indeed, immobilisation from heavy restraint is known to elicit fear in other animals and is a common method used to measure stress in many species.
Place your hand underneath the body behind the forelimbs. Use your fingers to hold the limbs together, with one finger in between the forelimbs. Use your arm to gently hold the cat against your body, this will help prevent the cat from wriggling.