Why Do Cats Like Their Butt Patted? 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons
No matter how much we love them, no one can deny that cats can do strange things. They are daredevils who 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 Possible Reasons Why Cats Like Their Butt Patted
1. Patting Can Make Some Cats Feel Good
Cats have various 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 patting your cat’s bottom could be pleasurable for some cats, making them feel happy and content during the interaction. However, be mindful that not all cats enjoy this, and their preferences should be respected.
2. It Feels Like a Massage
Like humans, most cats enjoy touch. With the rump area having so many nerve endings, it only makes sense that it would feel good. Light pats to the bottom may help stimulate these 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 pat your kitty too hard. If you walk by and give your kitty a light pat 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 pats 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 mobility, dry skin, or other skin problems, reach out to your veterinarian for advice and treatment.
4. Your Cat Likes the Attention
Whether your cat craves attention or rarely allows you to interact, a gentle pat on the butt shows that you acknowledge them. When your cat is in the mood for you, they may see bum patting 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, we may be able to assume 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 a 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 reserved for those individuals who enjoy each other’s company and for those establishing a social hierarchy.
7. It May Remind Them of Maternal Care
Kittens learn everything from their mums. 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 hunt, 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. This type of bonding behavior may be similar to you providing gentle pats on your cat’s bottom.
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 to be gentle. Never pat your kitty too hard. Some cats dislike it altogether, and they should not be patted on their butt. Their backsides are very sensitive, and rough handling can cause discomfort, pain, or fear in your cat.
In case your cat likes it, they may want more of it. Don’t be surprised if you’re sitting on the sofa and your kitty decides to stick their butt in the air for a pat.
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Sources
Featured Image Credit By: RJ22, Shutterstock
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A native of East Tennessee, Melissa is an avid animal lover who enjoys writing in her notebooks and playing outside with her many pets. Currently, she has two cats, Princess and Pepper, who are total opposites that demand constant attention. Her three dogs, Jazzy, Whitey, and Demon, are spunky troublemakers.
Melissa is also a dedicated wife and mother to two children. Beyond her career as a freelance cat writer, she's a published Indie author under the pen name Rena Marin!
