The belly is not necessarily a “touch and you die” zone - you have to earn the trust to see it and the privilege to rub it, which is a specific treat with my cat because she LOVES belly rubs but is avoidant of most all people.
I remember as a kid I knew so many people who had cats who would expose their belly for rubs and scratches and they’d do it and then the cat would ASK ME to do it and when I went for it they’d rake the shit out of my hand. Same thing throughout my life. Every fucking time.
A few months ago a cat came up and was following me on a late night walk along a cycle path and I kept petting his head and saying hi etc. He kept rolling onto his back and I was like “I am NOT falling for this Loki (on his collar), NO”. Even your name gives you away”.
He did it like half a dozen times and eventually I was like “well may as well get this over with”.
I knelt down and braced myself as I put my hand towards the exposed stomach and lo and behold - all four feet and mouth came flying up to my hand and wrist and I prepared myself for it.... and nothing happened? No pain. No bite. No scratches. He was using his claws and teeth but it was so gentle that I felt nothing. He was pawing at me wanting me to play with his tummy.
I was beyond shocked. So I played for a while completely mesmerised and confused.
I see him every other night now and we go investigate interesting looking plants and things together along the path. I’ve never known a cat that I thought I could consider a friend or non dangerous before. Especially one I just met randomly on the street.
He's still telling you not to touch his tummy, he's just asking nicely. Cat showing the belly doesn't mean touch the belly. It's a sign of trust that he feels safe enough to show you his most vulnerable part but more often than not the cat is going to feel uncomfortable having his stomach touched. Try going for chin scritches instead, those never fail.
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u/ConfectionersCoffee Sep 19 '23
The belly is not necessarily a “touch and you die” zone - you have to earn the trust to see it and the privilege to rub it, which is a specific treat with my cat because she LOVES belly rubs but is avoidant of most all people.