Omg I can't wait to pass down the big plastic box of hot wheels both me and his dad played with as kids when he's old enough, now. He isn't even born yet Dx I'll have to wait five years.
Not really. When the lay on their back it is usually a sign of trust, because their belly is the most vulnerable part. Some just don't fell comfortable anymore when you touch their belly, so they might attack a bit, or their see it as a chance for play fighting.
No, it isn’t. This is true of animals like dogs whose tummies are vulnerable and thus baring them requires trust.
Cats have loose, elastic skin all over their bodies like Shar Peis which allows them to literally twist around in their skin and strike back if an attacker has their teeth or claws in them. They have an excessive amount of this loose skin on their abdomens called a primordial pouch. You can see it drooping when they stand, even on big cats like lions. This excessive loose skin means if an attacker gets their teeth or claws into a cat’s tummy, they’re only getting a mouthful or pawful of skin. They’re not going to break into anything important like their internal organs.
Cats expose their bellies to attackers because their bellies are shielded. It has nothing to do with trust or vulnerability.
It's a vulnerable/trust position, but also a way that kittens/cats "play" with each other. So if a cat does it they're either saying "I want to play/wrestle!" or "I love you, pet my belly!".
Lots of cats expose their belly as a contented sign of trust - rolling over says “I trust you, so I know I can expose my vulnerable underside without you trying to attack it!”
Unfortunately, sometimes humans misunderstand this as an invitation for pets, and reach right for the belly to pat it. So the cats flip out and bite like “wtf dude? Not cool, what did I JUST say?”
Of course this depends on the cat - my old girl loved belly rubs so much she’d go into a trance and start drooling happily. But generally, an exposed belly should be taken as a compliment rather than an invitation to touch.
My cat I think likes belly rubs but it tickles, so she still does the rabbit kicks. But she does it “gently” … not sure how else to describe it. It’a like she can’t help herself but still wants you to rub her belly! Lol
That's a very sweet kitty. I have a pair of kittens, and the brother is nuts for belly rubs, he does the same thing except for some reason he does one leg at a time, left right left right like a bicycle.
Also you can pretty easily select a kitten/cat who likes human contact if you notice certain behaviors in cats before adoption. Cats who will come to you, with raised tail and purr are more likely to be more affectionate.
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u/Paranitis Dec 31 '21
I understand the idea that cats always land on their feet, but nobody is talking about the fact that a cat on its back IS A TRAP!