Cats have an instinctual response to a specific patch on the back of their neck being pinched. Their mothers carry them by that part when they’re kittens, and the response keeps them still. Male cats also bite female cats there during mating. It can be used to functionally restrain a cat, though doing so unnecessarily is just gonna stress the cat out so it’s generally not recommended
My cat lacks the scruff response. Probably why we found him alone without his mother and litter. Anyway, he’s an asshole who cannot be restrained by scruffing, and somehow we love him anyway.
How does this prevent scratches?
Cats have an instinctual response to a specific patch on the back of their neck being pinched. Their mothers carry them by that part when they’re kittens, and the response keeps them still. Male cats also bite female cats there during mating. It can be used to functionally restrain a cat, though doing so unnecessarily is just gonna stress the cat out so it’s generally not recommended
My cat lacks the scruff response. Probably why we found him alone without his mother and litter. Anyway, he’s an asshole who cannot be restrained by scruffing, and somehow we love him anyway.