Has this happened to you? You are casually petting a kitty’s stomach, and suddenly, they lash out, bite you and run away? Have you ever wondered if your cat likes belly rubs? Cats are fantastic cuddlers when they want to be and are incredibly standoffish at other times. Whether or not a cat likes to cuddle is sometimes a matter of individual circumstances. Most owners generally agree that their feline friends are wonderful to cuddle with. That leads us to ask the question: do cats like belly rubs?
Cats are always rubbing on things, legs, feet, and furniture, so it seems a safe assumption that they like tummy massages and being petted. They often start to purr or will come and ask for attention. However, not all kitties like this kind of petting; some do not like being touched in any area of the body.
With cats, it is never safe to assume anything, even if they have liked something in the past. As with any feline behavior, owners must learn what a cat’s body language means. We get into the details and more.
Do Cats Like Belly Rubs?
There are two sides to this issue. Some cats appreciate belly rubs, while others do not. Most felines enjoy being petted, at least a little. However, where they like petting is a different story. No two animals are the same, and all have individual preferences. This is an interesting topic to discuss regarding cats, and only some purr babies are comfortable with being touched in this area. Every purr baby has their own personal preferences. Generally speaking, most kitties prefer petting under the chin and around the head, and some enjoy back scratches.
There is a large misconception that all kitties like their bellies rubbed or that when a cat lays back and exposes the abdomen, they want to be petted. The stomach is a highly sensitive area where many vital organs are located. Felines feel very exposed and vulnerable when this area is open. Exposing the abdomen and allowing a human to pet them in that spot is a big sign of trust. Cats will not let just anyone pet their belly. For most, this is reserved for a particular person.
A kitty lying on their back, exposing their underbelly, is not an open invitation for a stomach rub. This action is a sign of trust and often a method kitties use to get our attention, but an exposed belly does not equal a request for a tummy rub. This is a common misconception and can lead to some hurt feelings and possibly punctured skin if people falsely assume that any cat with an exposed abdomen wants attention. This can lead to claws out and even a nip or serious bite if the kitty feels frightened.
While some cats enjoy tummy petting time and seem to ask for this by rolling over or flopping gut side up on your lap, this is not a good feeling for others. Some pets can feel threatened or that their safety is at risk.
Some breeds are more likely to appreciate tummy attention than others. Those include the Burmese, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Siamese, and Sphynx. While more affectionate felines may enjoy a stomach massage, one can never safely assume that any cat, regardless of breed, likes tummy rubs. Owners will need to test this out personally and very cautiously.
Even cats in the same litter will have different preferences regarding affection and human touch. For some kitties, this kind of physical affection feels good and may even cause them to purr and become very happy. The underside area is strictly off-limits for others and will remain that way. Most cats who do not like this attention will give a first mild signal like a slight swat with a paw or a quick soft nip with the mouth. However, if an owner has overstayed their welcome or a cat is very sensitive, these gentle signs may quickly turn to aggression.
What Percentage Of Cats Like Belly Rubs?
This is a hard question to answer, as there have been few, if any, studies done on the percentage of cats that appreciate belly massages. Many kitties will tolerate minimal abdominal rubbing. For some, this can be just a brief few seconds. For others, it can last a few minutes or more.
Our Personal Experience
We have quite a few feline friends here on the LoveYourCat crew, and from our survey, out of 10 kitties, only two like or even tolerate tummy attention.
One of the LYC kitty crew only reports a cat liking tummy attention only with feet. However, the owner must take care to wear socks, or that foot gets shredded. Others, however, will react worse to feet than to hands. One cat of the ten tolerates tummy touching for more than just a few minutes and is fine with both hands and feet. However, that pet has a limit and will let owners know with a soft nip.
The kitty that tolerates abdominal attention the most likes it when our male cat lays on his side, but not particularly when he lays on his back. This cuddly buddy is fine with being picked up, cuddled, and rubbed on his stomach but will clearly let you know when he is done. In our case, the majority of kitties do not like tummy massages, and most take great offense. Based on our experience and research, we can confidently say that most felines don’t like tummy attention. I personally have owned over 10 cats and have only had one or two that even tolerate touching the stomach area.
Even the one purring baby that likes them is only tolerant for only a few minutes before he starts to paw and nip. So, this illustrates that it is never safe to assume a feline wants you to pet their tummy, even if they expose it to you.
So, if a kitty flops down next to you, exposes the stomach, and glances up with the most adorable pussy cat eyes, it is not wise to take the bait. Never assume that a cat is asking for a tummy rub. If you are brave enough to try, tread lightly. Soft touches and move your hand away at the first sign of trouble. This is not an exaggeration, as kitty claws and teeth are sharp. They can stroke quickly and do great damage. We speak from personal experience. Even a pet you have known for years, have a relationship with and feel a sense of trust can be taken by surprise, petted the wrong way, or have a bad reaction to a petting session.
Why Don’t Cats Like Belly Rubs?
The stomach area is a very sensitive part of the body for felines. Their tummies, along with the feet, legs, tail, and whiskers, are generally body areas kitties would prefer we leave alone. The abdominal area contains all of a kitty’s vital organs, including the kidneys, liver, and primordial pouch. The primordial pouch is made up of fatty tissue and extra skin and protects those vital organs. Both males and females have them. This is a high-sensitivity area, and many felines do not like being petted or touched in that area.
Felines are very individual creatures. They like to stay in control of how they interact with humans. This means they will accept petting on their own terms. In fact, petting more than they are comfortable with can cause stress and anxiety in felines. Felines are far more sensitive to touch than we are; too much of it can overstimulate them.
Felines are covered in hair follicles. Those in the areas of the stomach and tail are incredibly sensitive. Rubbing on these areas can make kitties uncomfortable, causing them to move away or become aggressive. Just as we humans have certain areas we don’t like to be touched, our four-legged friends are the same. Older animals who did not have this affection as kittens may be less accepting of them as adults.
Along with feeling uncomfortable with petting in their tummy area, felines can also experience petting-induced or overstimulation aggression. Their sensitivity threshold varies from cat to cat, but they can reach a point where this physical touch becomes painful To them rather than enjoyable. Some kitties can suffer from medical conditions that make them more sensitive to pain, or they may be trying to assert control over the situation.
Felines who are experiencing petting-induced aggression will need time and space to calm down. It is also essential to have your purr baby checked out by the veterinarian if they are experiencing petting-induced aggression. In some cases, this can be due to feeling pain in their body. This pain can be in their stomach, ears, back, or elsewhere even in their joints or teeth. Pets will need a medical examination to rule out underlying medical concerns.
While it may be scary for owners and painful if they get scratched or bitten, it is crucial never to yell at your purr baby if they lash out due to over-stimulation-induced aggression. Yelling at them will only cause further stress, and they will not connect the yelling with the behavior. This is ineffective. It also may make them even more sensitive to touch than previously.
Owners must learn what their cat’s body language means. Always pay attention to subtle behavioral signs in any situation. Kitties may not always give strong indicators that they do not feel safe or are uncomfortable. If they are missed and the kitty gets pushed too far, it can be dangerous for them and their people.
Signs Cats Like Belly Rubs
Kitties that appreciate tummy rubs will give some signs and indicators. These include:
- Exposing the belly, rolling over, and stretching out in front of you.
- Purring and nuzzling on you.
- Experiencing deep relaxation.
- Pawing at you for attention.
- Rubbing up against you.
- Breathing slowly and steadily. Upright ears and a slowly moving tail.
- Pushing at you with their head and face
- Upright ears
Signs Cats Do Not Like Belly Rubs
Felines will also give off subtle behavioral cues if they are uncomfortable with petting or handling in a certain way. These signs include:
- Showing their tummy
- Swatting and clawing at your hands or feet
- Biting
- Running away and hiding
- Hissing and growling
- Going very quiet
- Twitching skin and muscles
- Ears pinned back and thrashing of the tail
Where Do Cats Like To Be Petted The Most?
First, this depends on the specific animal. However, most are comfortable with petting around the ears, chin, and on the top of their heads. These are generally safe areas for people to pet, even with unfamiliar kitties. Along with those areas, some felines enjoy petting and scratching on their backs and even their buttocks area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when a cat lets you rub its belly?
If your kitty lets you rub her tummy, this is a sign of ultimate trust and contentment and is a great compliment. The abdomen is one of, if not the most vulnerable spot on a feline’s body. Permission to pet and touch this area means a kitty truly trusts you. This behavior is often reserved for a special person, a kitty’s primary caretaker, someone they have imprinted on, rather than a stranger or someone with whom they are uncomfortable.
Can I train my cat to like belly rubs?
It is certainly possible to try and train your pet to tolerate and even like these. Owners must remember that some kitties simply do not like their bellies touched, and this is not an issue to force. However, if your kitty is mildly tolerant of tummy touches and you would like to increase that tolerance, you may be able to train this behavior. This will only be possible if you have a kitty motivated by treats, food, and rewards. By offering positive rewards after petting, owners can associate this behavior with positive actions and feelings. We must be quite clear here. It is not possible to train every pet to like the human touch. Some simply do not want petting in that area and will not tolerate it, regardless of any offered reward.
Is it rare for cats to want belly rubs?
It is not necessarily rare for kitties to like tummy massages, but that does not mean it is super common either. Of course, felines are unpredictable creatures and are all individual animals. So, some kitties like them, and others do not. In our experience, more would prefer no petting in the stomach area, but there is no way to determine exactly how many kitties like or do not like rubbing on their bellies.
Final Thoughts
When a cat comes up next to you, flops down, and exposes their tummy, this may seem like the opportune time for a tummy rub. Humans enjoy petting animals. It relaxes us and promotes good feelings. However, massaging on the stomach is not always a welcome occurrence for felines. Some love this petting, and others will not tolerate it. It is essential that owners take time, use patience, and caution, to learn safely about whether or not their purr baby is comfortable with petting in this area. The stomach is an incredibly sensitive area, and felines are very protective of it, which is why a good-natured and well-intentioned petting session can sometimes turn into a painful kitty bite and hurt feelings.
Never force attention on a feline, and always look for subtle signs in body language and behavior that indicate whether your pet is comfortable with a belly rub.
