All About the Cat Belly — Why Cats Show It and If You Should Pet It
Picture this: Your cat is sitting on your lap, lazily enjoying spending some quality time with you. Then, he rolls over onto his back, exposing his belly. What do you do? The cat belly is a tempting thing, but, as Admiral Ackbar says in Star Wars, “It’s a trap!”
There are lots of places cats like to be petted, but if you try to pet a cat’s belly, you’re almost certainly going to be met with some claws and teeth. So, why do cats react this way when we try to touch their bellies? Let’s break it down.
The Cat Belly is a Vulnerable Place
If you see your cat’s belly, should you pet it? Photography ©Aleksandr Zotov | Thinkstock.
First of all, the cat belly is a very vulnerable place. A host of vital organs sits mere millimeters under the skin of your cat’s tummy, and damage to any of them could be potentially fatal. Cats are therefore highly likely to guard their bellies from potential injuries.
Unlike dogs, who love to have their tummies rubbed, cats are a good deal more reticent about it. Sure, there are some cats who love belly rubs, but they’re few and far between. Although you’re not a predator bent on helping your cat meet a grisly fate, instinct tells cats that they should never leave themselves that vulnerable. That’s why you rarely see a cat lying on his back, even when he’s fast asleep.
So, When Do Cats Show Their Bellies? What Does It Mean When a Cat Shows His Belly?
Like dogs, cats have been known to roll over and expose their stomachs to the people they know. That doesn’t mean you should take it as an invitation for a cat belly rub. What your cat is telling you when he shows his belly is, “I trust you with my life.” Don’t violate that trust by going in for a belly rub, pet or tickle!
Okay, But What If You Really Want to Pet a Cat’s Belly? How Do You Rub a Cat Belly the Right Way?
So, what should you do if you really feel you must try for a cat belly rub? One obvious answer is, don’t.
The second answer, if you can’t follow that advice, is to take a different approach to the cat belly.
Some cats will let you touch their stomachs if you go in from the side, but you really have to watch their body language. My cat, Thomas, will let me rub his belly if he’s lying on his side and I touch the tummy fur with my fingers as I’m stroking his flank. My Tara will even let me stroke her stomach once or twice, but for my little Belladonna, the belly is strictly a no-go. Any time I do approach Thomas or Tara’s bellies, I’m constantly aware of subtle signs of discomfort, like a twitching tail tip or a glance toward my hand, and I stop as soon as I see it.
Have I gone in for the cat belly rub, even though I knew better? Yes, of course I have. Haven’t we all? But I’ve only done it with cats I’ve known for many years. I still got a paw-smack or two while doing so.
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 large, I don’t recommend rubbing a cat belly. If you do so, you might betray the sacred trust between you and your kitty. Before you get anywhere near your cat’s stomach, be sure you know each other very well. Stay attuned to any signs that your cat has had enough, and stop before you reach the point where claws and teeth come out.
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!
Read more about cat behavior on Catster.com:
122 comments on “All About the Cat Belly — Why Cats Show It and If You Should Pet It”
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I have a six-year-old female that I rescued from an abusive home. She has multiple health problems, including a probable intestinal lymphoma and chronic (but well-controlled) urinary issues (crystals). Much of the time, she doesn’t even want to be touched, and I try to respect her wishes — even though it’s hard not to pet her since I love her so much. Just a few minutes ago, she was lying on her side and I was stroking her softly. Suddenly, she turned over on her back and exposed her stomach. I tentatively scratched it, kind of expecting her to jump up and run away. Instead, she clearly loved it! I can’t quite figure it out. I’ve tried so hard over the past six and a half months to get her to actually seek out affection. This tiny gesture just thrilled me.
I don’t agree with this article. I have 2 females cats that loves when I rub them all. As soon they see me they roll on the floor like a ball when I pet them and rub their tummy. I been searching on the internet about cats and I noticed my cats are way different. They hate being lonely. They love playing with water. They even follow me to the bathroom and stay there even when I’m showering they get between the plastic curtain and the bathroom curtain cause they enjoy watching me shower and so much more. I guess they ain’t real cat lovers.
All four of our cats love belly rubs. This article is not based on expertise. It’s based on the author’s experience. Obviously, the author doesn’t really have a special relationship with their cats and therefore should not be writing about them. There are people out there who live their cats in such a special capacity that they expect to give belly rubs. Their cats a revered and worshipped. Their cats are grateful. You are not a cat person.
I feel completely honored. My baby Tommi will allow me as many belly rubs as I like as long as I’m holding her like a baby. It’s the sweetest thing and she gives the most amazings purrs. I love the bond between Tommi and I.
My cat insists that I rub her belly! If I pet her back, she immediately flips over and uses her back paw to hook my hand and places it on her tummy… she will let me rub and pet her there as long as I want, purring the whole time. True love!
My cat always lets me pet, rub and scratch his belly. For a long time, well over ten minutes. He really enjoys it.
I’ve had a /lot/ of cats who love belly rubs. The first cat my husband and I got would take it as a personal isult if he didn’t run her belly right when he got home from work.
We have two male kittens right now; on loves belly rubs and will easily fall asleep during them (he’s 9 months old), but his little brother (one month younger, they act like litter mates) sees belly rubs as play time. He doesn’t get aggitated, but he’s definitely fond of roughhousing (much to my husband’s annoyance).
Some cats like belly rubs, but I’ve never been able to figure out why. Maybe I just keep getting weird cats! Lol.
I have a 3 year old Ragdoll, and he loves it. When ever he is laying down I will rub his back and he automatically does the one leg up in the air for me to access his belly. Then once I start rubbing he goes into full purr and cuddle mode. It gets to the point that he actually gets mad at me when I stop. I did notice that a lot of the more long haired cats like belly rubs vs the short hair. Long haired cats have for a long time been considered house cats vs short hair that are more wild by nature.
Hi! New to the forum. I have 3 kitties, Derby, Junior and Serendipity. I feel, as do most cats’ humans, that they are the perfect cats. They are all best buds too, so much fun!
On the subject of belly rubs, my girl Serendipity looooves her tummy time. If I try to just scratch her back she immediately rolls over to let me get her tummy. I love it, so she’s a Russian Blue and her fur is so fuzzy. I was wondering if there’s any correlation between mom kitties that have nursed. Seri had a litter of kittens a few years back, Junior is her daughter. Junior is down for tummy time, but she’s too wiggly to stay still to be pet in any area for an extended period, and seems more indifferent. Derby will take pets anywhere. He’s the adult baby who always has to have your attention, constantly whining if he feels ignored. But Seri, she lives for her belly rubs. I just did it now… instantly stretches out and purrrs with bliss.
I normally follow your general “don’t touch the tummy rule” when it comes to cats. However, my elegant, cuddle bug of a long haired kitty LOVES having her belly stroked–if I start petting her on the side she uncurls and stretches, and starts purring, kneading and drooling like a monster once I get to her belly. I can even do the coveted “tummy nuzzle” which results in more purring and stretching. It’s almost bizarre (in a lovely way). I’ve never had such a relaxed, sweet cat–and she was an outdoor stray from the shelter!
Clyde is a big soft cat – 17lbs. We rehomed him at 4 years old and 28lbs after he’d been around several owners. He’s now 9yo, and it did take him a good two years to become really attached to us, such was his lack of a stable home. Now he is so comfortable and trusting of us that he’ll roll over on the floor in front of us, and he expects a belly rub, although we do it smoothly and gently of course. He really enjoys it, but after about 20-30 seconds he’ll spring the trap (of course) and grab/bite our hand – playfully of course. It’s turned into a sort of game now lol. You’re rubbing his belly and you can see him staring into your eyes just waiting to choose his moment.
I rescued a five year old cat whose owner and died and owner’s daughter surrendered.
set her up in large bathroom initially with bed, litter at opposite end, etc.
Took almost 3 months to get her fro cowering in bathtub! after that she’d find hiding places for anther 3 months, barely letting me even touch her.
gave her time and waited it out and she’s on the couch rolling on her side for belly pets. jumps off when she’s had enough. Still won’t let me pick her up
but routinely comes for bellypets early morning and evening….still won’t go near my boyfriend and runs from him. her adoption papers did say, “doesn’t like men” so understandable since we don’t know her previous 5 yrs of baggage.
Time and patience all help,
My cat adores belly rubs also. She lays on her back opens and shows her stomach and the moment my hand hits her furry stomach she starts purring and kneading the air with her paws. Sometimes she gets sick of it and will let me know when to stop. But majority of the time she invites you to rub her belly. Only my girlfriend and I can do this with her of course though.
My cat, Pyotr, absolutely loves belly rubs too. He’s constantly throwing himself onto his back and let’s me rub his belly from his throat al the way down to his weewee and the insides of his thighs. If he’s lying on his side, he’ll open his legs for me to tickle his inner thighs. Haha. He also purrs the whole time and the more my hand moves from top to bottom, the more he stretches himself. I think he wishes to elongate himself in order to get even bigger belly rubs. My cat doesnt allow my husband to do it though.
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