Pinch-induced behavioral inhibition

Pinch-induced behavioral inhibition (PIBI), also called dorsal immobility, transport immobility, clipnosis, or scruffing, is a partially inert state that results from a gentle squeeze of the nape, the skin at the back of the neck. It is mostly observed among cats and allows a mother cat to carry her kitten easily with her jaws. It can be used to restrain most cats effectively in a domestic or veterinary context,^[1] however it is no longer recommended as studies have shown significant fear-anxiety responses and aversion in cats who have this technique used on them.^[2] The phenomenon also occurs in other animals, such as squirrels and mice.^[3]

Lioness carrying a cub.

See also

• Tonic immobility