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kitty bellies!

post #1 of 27
6/18/07 at 3:59am
Thread Starter 
Hello! I have a very simple question........why do cats roll over and show you their bellies? Is it just a comfortable way for them to lay, or is a sign of something else?
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post #2 of 27
6/18/07 at 7:26am
I'm interested to know the answer, because for Ginger and Penny, it means: rub my belly, whereas for Ferris, it means: touch my belly and DIE!
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post #3 of 27
6/18/07 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
I'm interested to know the answer, because for Ginger and Penny, it means: rub my belly, whereas for Ferris, it means: touch my belly and DIE!
ditto for me too...........Pepsi & Teddy roll over and love serious tummy rubs

Whereas Dino he'd have my hand off in a whisper

Miss Moofs, you can tickle but only until she says so
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post #4 of 27
6/18/07 at 9:43am
same here - Pixel LOVES belly rubs, the other 3, not so much, & Chip will bite. i wonder if it's partially raising - Cable will allow me to touch her belly with no real protest, altho she doesn't love it like Pixel does. they were both mine from 8 weeks of age. Java, i got at 3.5 months, Chip as an adult - they both highly dislike their tummies approached. i'm training [] Firefox to accept it, if not love it.
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post #5 of 27
6/18/07 at 9:53am
Same thing here.
With Gracie it means "rub my tummy, Mom"
With Elliott and Annabelle it means "Good, she fell for it again now I can stick my claws into her, do bunny kicks and bite"
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post #6 of 27
6/18/07 at 1:04pm
Same here - Sonic is very affectionate and is quite happy to have his belly stroked whereas if you try it with Radar you are in danger of having part of your hand amputated. Both neutered boys, Sonic 7 1/2 months, Radar 13 1/2 months.
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post #7 of 27
6/18/07 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 
All 4 of mine love showing me their bellies, but Tiggy will immediately go for your hand if you try to do more than touch his belly.......the other 3 tolerate it for a bit, then they're done..
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post #8 of 27
6/18/07 at 3:48pm
Charlie is a rub tart First you start at his back legs and rub above the ankle, then he stretches them out, then start moving to his belly, he gets all comfy stretching and flipping over, then voila! a belly! Saying 'ooh that's good, please mum i want more belly rubs!' lol

Jazzy was funny with those. Even though she'd run around and go psychotic, in the middle of chewing and clawing things shed just plop onto the floor and flash her fluffy belly. Then about a minute into rubbing she'd have enough and sink all claws and teeth into you for the whole of a second, then start licking your hand! I loved it when shed get annoyed shed try to kick your hand away with her back feet! I should have taken pics of that *sighs*
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post #9 of 27
6/18/07 at 3:56pm
My RB kitty Babygirl would not let you rub her belly for long, but all 5 of mine now will let you rub their bellys until they fall asleep. The first time I saw Easy she just flopped on her back exposing her belly and I rubbed it and she still does that. Maybe she taught her kids to love it too
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post #10 of 27
6/18/07 at 5:11pm
yup mine too! They roll over to show you, but then touch it and they only tolerate it for a second before you get the "bunny kick"
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post #11 of 27
6/18/07 at 9:15pm
Lexi does it also, but I think it might be a form of trust if they let you touch them there because that is one of their most vunerable spots. But I could be way off.
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post #12 of 27
6/19/07 at 9:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyGirl View Post
yup mine too! They roll over to show you, but then touch it and they only tolerate it for a second before you get the "bunny kick"
That's exactly how it is with Gizmo. It's interesting how some cats welcome the belly rub and others don't.
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post #13 of 27
6/19/07 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyGirl View Post
yup mine too! They roll over to show you, but then touch it and they only tolerate it for a second before you get the "bunny kick"
Thats how Harley is- Bayley is a lover, he'll let you rub his tummy all day!
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post #14 of 27
6/19/07 at 9:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyGirl View Post
yup mine too! They roll over to show you, but then touch it and they only tolerate it for a second before you get the "bunny kick"
EXACTLY!!!
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post #15 of 27
6/20/07 at 6:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by babyharley View Post
Thats how Harley is- Bayley is a lover, he'll let you rub his tummy all day!
Awwww, Bayley can come for a stay anytime! I could rub kitty bellies all day if they'd let me!
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post #16 of 27
6/20/07 at 2:56pm
yes! stoli is a tummy lover too, but he 'pretends' he doesn't like it and does a half-hearted bunny kick then relaxes, then kicks, then relaxes....
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post #17 of 27
6/21/07 at 10:38am
When we first adopted her, Sophie would seem to thoroughly enjoy me petting her for a minute or two, and then suddenly would kick and bite me very hard, almost drawing blood. When my bf would do it, she would kick, but bite very softly and playfully.

I got my spray bottle out and taught her what happens when she bites me that hard, and also yelped in "pain" when she bit me. The other day, I was petting her stomach and she did the kicking, but bit me very softly and playfully. I was relieved that she learned not to bite me so hard!
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post #18 of 27
6/22/07 at 3:12am
I think it depends on what mood your cats are in.. If they are feeling playful they will claw you when you rub their tummy but if they tired and sleepy they love their belly rubbing ...
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post #19 of 27
6/22/07 at 1:20pm
In most cat family cultures it says, you're the mommy or daddy, I trust you. I think it depends on how trusting your cat is towards you, and again, just what the cat likes.
Mr Cleo is my giant kitty, (he's mixed so I don't know what exactly he is but it's big) I've had him since his was just little little baby. I think his mother got pregnant again when they were still nursing, or she was killed. It's been some years ><
But he trusts me alot. the only instance of clawing we had was when we were moving and he DID NOT was to get into the box. He flops over and loves his belly rubbed. I can carry him around like a baby and rub his belly.
Biscuit gives you maybe one stroke before attempted amputation. He's my sisters cat.
Rowena flops around a bit, but she's not ever really rolled over like that. Se's my newest one.

Probably alot more rambling, than explanation, but there ya go. ><
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post #20 of 27
6/25/07 at 9:49am
Alley would have lay there all day and let me rub her tummy
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post #21 of 27
6/25/07 at 10:36am
All three of my boys show their tummies. Forest loves to have his belly rubbed. He'll frequently flop down in front of one of us and demand a rubbing. Tailer sometimes likes it, sometimes not. Harvey won't stand for it.
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post #22 of 27
6/25/07 at 2:27pm
It is a submissive gesture
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post #23 of 27
6/25/07 at 6:55pm
Good question! This charming posture is used to display friendship, love and trust, but don't touch....most kitties do not like their belly rubbed. Unlike dogs this is a very sensitive area, rubbing their belly can easily lead to overstimulation and result in the claws and teeth coming out. On another note, when cats get to playing too rough, to show they are getting serious and to warn the other; a cat will roll over on its back to expose and show its wonderful array of weapons, the claws and teeth and express the fact they are ready to be used. So this posture can be used to express a serious warning or to express the trust they feel toward a particular person or animal. I hope this answers your question.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kittylover4ever View Post
Hello! I have a very simple question........why do cats roll over and show you their bellies? Is it just a comfortable way for them to lay, or is a sign of something else?
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post #24 of 27
6/29/07 at 3:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CatPsych View Post
Good question! This charming posture is used to display friendship, love and trust, but don't touch....most kitties do not like their belly rubbed. Unlike dogs this is a very sensitive area, rubbing their belly can easily lead to overstimulation and result in the claws and teeth coming out. On another note, when cats get to playing too rough, to show they are getting serious and to warn the other; a cat will roll over on its back to expose and show its wonderful array of weapons, the claws and teeth and express the fact they are ready to be used. So this posture can be used to express a serious warning or to express the trust they feel toward a particular person or animal. I hope this answers your question.
wow thats really fascinating especially the bit about a cat showing another cat its underside as a sign of seriousness. When Teddy & Miss Moofi fight more often than not she'll end up like this and I assumed it was a position of submission. Hopefully he'll get the message PDQ
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post #25 of 27
6/29/07 at 7:07am
It seems as though it could also just be a comfortable way to sleep. Swanie starts out in a curl, but ends up sprawled on his back most of the time. Cindy will do it too. Both enjoy having their tummies rubbed.
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post #26 of 27
6/29/07 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Misty8723 View Post
It seems as though it could also just be a comfortable way to sleep. Swanie starts out in a curl, but ends up sprawled on his back most of the time. Cindy will do it too. Both enjoy having their tummies rubbed.
Chip usually sleeps on his back, all sprawled out... but DON'T touch the tummy! it's sooooo tempting, but if you're not quick, he'll nip you!
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post #27 of 27
7/1/07 at 4:05pm
Oh yes, kitties definitely love to sleep in this position too. Your kitties must also trust you a whole lot to let you rub their bellies, many cats won't permit this, I'd take it as a huge compliment from your kitties since they let you.
Kerry


Quote:
Originally Posted by Misty8723 View Post
It seems as though it could also just be a comfortable way to sleep. Swanie starts out in a curl, but ends up sprawled on his back most of the time. Cindy will do it too. Both enjoy having their tummies rubbed.
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