All About the Cat Belly — Why Cats Show It and If You Should Pet It

Isn't that cat belly just begging for a rub, pet or tickle? It depends on the cat and how you do it. Plus, what it means when your cat shows his belly!

Picture this: Your cat is sitting on your lap, idly enjoying defrayment some quality time with you. Then, he rolls over onto his back, exposing his belly. What does one do? The cat belly may be a tempting issue, but, as Admiral Ackbar says in Star Wars, “It’s a trap!”

Their square measure several places cats prefer to be petted, however, if you are attempting to pet a cat’s belly, you’re nearly actually planning to be met with some claws and teeth. So, why do cats react this fashion once we attempt to bit their bellies? Let’s break it down.

The Cat Belly may be a Vulnerable Place

If you see your cat’s belly, should you pet it? Photography ©Aleksandr Zotov | Thinkstock.

 First of all, the cat belly may be a terribly vulnerable place. a number of important organs sit mere millimeters beneath the skin of your cat’s tummy, and harm to any of them can be doubtless fatal. Cats square measure thus extremely probably to protect their bellies from potential injuries.

Unlike dogs, WHO like to have their tummies rubbed, cats square measure an honest deal additional reticent concerning it. Sure, there square measure some cats WHO love belly rubs, however, they’re few and much between. though you’re not a predator dead set serving to your cat meet a macabre fate, instinct tells cats that they must ne'er leave themselves that vulnerable. That’s why you seldom see a cat lying on his back, even once he’s sound asleep.

So, once Do Cats Show Their Bellies? What Will It Mean once a Cat Shows His Belly?

Like dogs, cats are noted to roll over and expose their stomachs to the individuals they understand. That doesn’t mean you ought to take it as asking for a cat belly rub. What your cat is telling you once he shows his belly is, “I trust you with my life.” Don’t violate that trust by getting in for a belly rub, pet or tickle!

Okay, however What If you actually wish to Pet a Cat’s Belly? however, does one Rub a Cat Belly the correct Way?

So, what must you do if you actually feel you want to compete for a cat belly rub? One obvious answer is, don’t.

The second answer, if you can’t follow that recommendation, is to require a unique approach to the cat belly.

Some cats can allow you to bit their stomachs if you enter from the facet, however, you actually need to watch their visual communication. My cat, Thomas, can let Maine rub his belly if he’s lying on his face and that I bit the stomach fur with my fingers as I’m stroke his flank. My town can even let Maine stroke her abdomen once or double, except for my very little Belladonna, the belly is strictly a no-go. Anytime I do approach Thomas or Tara’s bellies, I’m perpetually attentive to delicate signs of discomfort, sort of a muscle spasm tail tip or a look toward my hand, and that i stop as short as I see it.

Have I gone sure the cat belly rub, even if I knew better? affirmative, in fact, I actually have. Haven’t we tend to all? however, I’ve solely done it with cats I’ve noted for several years. I still got a paw-smack or 2 whereas doing, therefore.

The Bottom Line on the Cat Belly and Cat Belly Rub

Can you / should you pet a cat belly? In some cases — and if you do, proceed with caution. Photography ©anurakpong | Thinkstock.

 By and enormous, I don’t suggest rubbing a cat belly. If you are doing, therefore, you may betray the sacred trust between you and your kitty. Before you get anyplace close to your cat’s abdomen, take care you recognize one another fine. keep attuned to any signs that your cat has had enough, and stop before you reach the purpose wherever claws and teeth take off.

Tell us: What about you? Does your cat like having his stomach rubbed? Have you ever successfully rubbed a cat belly? What happened when you went in for the belly rub? Would you do it again? Share your thoughts in the comments!