Pinch-induced behavioral inhibition ('clipnosis') in domestic cats

Abstract

Research has documented immobilization of rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs by mechanical means, typically using neck clips or inversion ('animal hypnosis'). In contrast, only a few studies of mechanical immobilization of cats are available, although some success has been reported in the literature. Domestic cats may be effectively immobilized by clips placed along the animal's dorsum. We use the term 'pinch-induced behavioral inhibition' (PIBI) for this behavior because it describes both the method and the response, while avoiding the more anthropomorphic term 'hypnosis'. We investigated the effectiveness of PIBI and its neurological and habituation effects in healthy cats and cats with idiopathic cystitis (IC). Although not all cats were susceptible to PIBI and effectiveness varied among individuals, PIBI was useful for gentle restraint in most cats.

Fig 1

Placement of clips along the dorsal cervical region of a cat.

Fig 2

Effect of repeated clipping on response in healthy (H) cats and cats with IC. Only H2 and IC 1 were statistically different using Kruskal–Wallis test.

Fig 3

Regression (best fit line and 95% confidence limits) of response to scruffing onto response to clipping in healthy cats and cats with IC.

Fig 4

Ventroflexion of the back and tail placement during positive PIBI.

Fig 5

Clipnosis using clothes' pins.