Why Do Cats Like Their Butt Patted? 7 Interesting Reasons

No matter how much we love them, no one can deny that cats can do strange things. They are daredevils that enjoy high places. They fixate on the smallest things and can sit there for hours, seemingly staring at nothing. Some of them even like things a bit rough. Have you ever patted your kitty on the bottom and noticed that they liked it? Not every cat will enjoy this type of interaction, but some, well, they love it. There are various reasons why cats could like their butt patted, and these cats will raise their rear end wanting another pat and, at times, come to you to initiate the contact.

Let’s take a look at the interesting reasons why cats like being patted on the bum. This will help you better understand this behavior and may even help you feel more at ease about doing it.

The 7 Reasons Why Cats Like Their Butt Patted

1. Slapping or Patting Activates Nerve Endings

Cats have a large collection of nerve endings around the base of their tail. The lumbosacral plexus is connected to the pelvic and pudendal nerves, which run through the genitals. Gently slapping or patting your cat’s bottom could signal the brain to release dopamine or oxytocin. These hormones are responsible for indicating pleasure and can make your cat feel happy and content during the interaction.

2. It Feels Like a Massage

Like humans, cats enjoy touch. They are located throughout your cat’s body. With the rump area having so many nerve endings, it only makes sense that it would feel good. Light slaps to the bottom help activate these nerves and sensitive areas. For most cats, it feels good. You can give your kitty a nice massage without having to pay a dime. Just remember, don’t slap your kitty too hard. If you walk by and give your kitty a light slap on the bum and their rear raises to meet you instantly, you know they enjoyed it.

3. Your Cat Has an Itch They Can’t Scratch

If your cat is overweight or has mobility problems such as arthritis, this enjoyment may come from the fact that their skin is itching back there, and they simply can’t reach it to get any relief. We’ve all watched cats groom. Most of them are very meticulous about it. Unfortunately, some of them can’t reach every single area of the body. Light slaps can allow you to relieve that itch for your kitty. You should always keep your eyes open, however. If your kitty needs to lose some weight or is having issues with dry skin or other skin problems, reach out to your veterinarian for advice and treatment.

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4. Your Cat Likes the Attention

Whether your cat craves attention or rarely allows you to interact, a gentle pat or slap on the butt shows that you acknowledge them. When your cat is in the mood for you, they may see bum slapping as a reward or a bonding moment. Whether we realize it or not, our cats learn our actions. If you spank your kitty’s bottom a couple of times to show affection, they’ll want you to do it more often. They’ll even come to you when they want some love.

5. Cats See It as a Form of Play

We all know the stereotype surrounding cats that all they want to do is eat and sleep. That simply isn’t true. Cats love playing. For some, a gentle slap to the bottom may be an indication that you want to play as well. If you pat your kitty on the rear and they instantly come alive, ready to engage in play, make sure you take part. While some cats are very independent, a bit of playtime with their humans is great for bonding and helps them get the exercise they need.

6. It Reminds Your Cat of Grooming

While we can’t say exactly how it feels when we pet a cat, most feel that it is similar to the sensations they feel when they are grooming themselves or are getting allogroomed. In case you haven’t noticed, some cats get going during a grooming session, especially when they are trying to get to their backside. When you give them a pat or gentle slap on the bottom or even pet them, they could be reminded of how good grooming feels. Allogrooming between two cats is a special bonding behavior only reserved for those individuals who enjoy each other’s company.

7. It May Remind Them of  Maternal Care

Kittens learn everything from their mothers. As a mother cat tends to her young, she does everything for them. She grooms them, licks them to initiate elimination, helps them learn to eat, and even corrects them when necessary. If you’ve watched a momma cat with her kittens, you’ve seen that she isn’t exactly gentle. The grooming and licks she provides are a bit rough. You must also think about how rough a cat’s tongue is anyway. Even with older cats, it’s possible that when you slap their bottom, they remember how their mothers cared for them when they were young. It could even help them bond with you as they feel that you’ll now be the one caring for them.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are multiple reasons why cats like their butts patted. If your cat enjoys this type of interaction, there’s no reason to fear. Like with anything you do with your kitty, simply keep their best interests at heart. Some kitties may like their spanking to be a bit rougher, while others prefer it gentle. Never hit your kitty too hard. Their backsides are very sensitive, and their bones are fragile. Just remember, once your cat finds something they like, they’ll want more of it. Don’t be surprised if you’re sitting on the sofa and your kitty decides to stick its butt in the air for a pat.

See Also: 

• Why Does My Cat Put Her Bum Up? 6 Vet-Approved Signs A Cat Is in Heat
• Why Do Cats Slap and Swat? 9 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Tips

Featured Image Credit By: RJ22, Shutterstock