The clipnosis gentle calming clip causes a similar calming behavior when clips are applied to a cat's scruff
In fact, the result is almost identical to that seen in kittens when their mother picks them up by the skin of their neck
Clipnosis provides a safe and effective alternative to scuffing and harsh restraint methods, and allows the handler to have both hands free for grooming or healthcare tasks
The ability to quiet animals and make them less sensitive to sights and sounds has been found in many different kinds of animals, including insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The effect may have survival value, because many instances of this are found in the wild. For example, baby animals, including kittens, become limp when their mothers pick them up by the neck in their jaws. This is called the "scruff response." The kitten's tail curls up between the legs, the back rounds as the kitten pulls its legs in close to its body and becomes passive. Veterinarians and other pet professionals sometimes use this response to their advantage when they grasp the skin on the back of a cat's neck (an area called the "scruff") with their hands, producing the same response seen when mother cats grasp kittens. HOW TO USE CLIPNOSIS GENTLE CALMING CLIP: 1. Gently gather the scruff (the loose skin on the back of the neck) of the cat in one hand while holding the open clip in the other. 2. Place the first clip on the scruff starting at the base of the skull. The amount of skin in the clip depends on the cat, but as much as possible should be in the hollow of the clip. 3. If needed, place a second clip directly below the first. The two clips should be touching. One clip will usually be adequate for a small cat or kitten, but two clips may be needed for an average-sized adult cat. The area to be covered should be from the base of the skull to the base of the neck. 4. The cat will usually start to relax within 10-15 seconds. Cats often have one side or the other they prefer