A cat owner from New York defended holding his feline in “air jail” after getting a “ton of comments saying how awful [he] is” for holding him that way.
In a post shared on Instagram earlier in September under the username @renusdelph, Zach Hotaling said that, every time he posts a video of his cat in “air jail,” he receives a lot of hate from internet users because of it.
“I get a ton of comments saying how awful I am, treat that baby right, you’re hurting the cat. Does he sound like he’s in pain?” Hotaling can be heard saying, as the orange cat purrs while he holds him against the camera.
“First question, why is he upside down? Because he’s in air jail,” Hotaling continues, “Plus he won’t let me hold him any other way. Have you seen how angry he gets when I hold him in other ways?
Hotaling told Newsweek that his 2-year-old cat, Nanaki, is a “pretty typical cat;” he is clingy and loving, and loves to spend time cuddling with his siblings, but he is most known for dangling upside down like he does in that video, since he doesn’t like being held upright.
“He does not like to be held in most ways, but he seems to enjoy it when I dangle him upside down. The only other way he will let me carry him is if I put him on my shoulders,” Hotaling said.
Hotaling can be seen holding his orange cat Ron in “air jail.” The poster said he received constant criticism for the way he holds him, but Ron doesn’t really mind.
@renusdelph
Hotaling holds his cat in “air jail” when he causes trouble, as a sort of funny “timeout,” to learn his lesson. However, vets say this method may not be the most effective for training your cat.
Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance, told Newsweek that, as a veterinarian, she is not a fan of “air jail” for cats, and it is not something that she does with her own cats.
“Whether ‘air jail’ is being used in a playful manner or as a form of punishment, there are several things to consider before trying this trend,” Cahn said.
“Most cats don’t like it. All cats are individuals, and there may be the occasional goofy kitten who tolerates or even likes being held up in the air; however, while it may seem harmless to us, this is not a safe or comfortable position for most cats.
“Observe your cat’s body language for signs of stress and anxiety, including struggling to get free, vocalization, flattened ears, wide eyes, dilated pupils, tense body posture, avoidance, fast tail movements, and freezing in place,” Cahn added.
Ron didn’t show any signs of distress in the video, and he was loudly purring, but that doesn’t mean that he did learn a lesson from his air jail time.
Cahn said that any sort of punishment is not an effective training method and can lead to increased fear, anxiety, stress, and aggression. “It can also negatively affect the bond you share with your cat. If your cat is misbehaving, it’s important to consult your veterinarian to rule out any medical causes, then seek guidance from a behaviorist or trainer who uses positive reinforcement training techniques.”
While holding your cat shouldn’t be used as a punishment, this doesn’t mean that you can’t hold them at all.
An article written by Dr. Jess Kirk, a licensed veterinarian in the state of Georgia for Vet Explains Pets, says that one common method to hold you cat is to gently scoop them up placing one hand under their chest and the other hand supporting their hind legs, which provides cats with comforts and helps them feel secure.
“Another method is to cradle the cat in your arms, with one hand supporting their chest and the other hand supporting their hindquarters. This can be a comforting position for some cats, as it mimics being held like a baby,” Kirk added.
The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across Instagram. It has so far received over 692,000 views and almost 50,000 likes on the platform.
One user, Nickybateleur, commented: “People are soft in the head. If a cat ain’t happy, it’s leaving. With or without part of your anatomy.”
Risaczu posted: “This is the happiest kitty ever. And he is Orange, why do people expect him to like the usual ways? He’s a little extra, as every orange cat I’ve met.”
Ladybugmindydee added: “He’s ORANGE, I can’t believe you have to explain this!”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
