Most cats, although there are some exceptions, are especially reluctant to manipulate the abdominal area, even showing aggressive behavior, including biting and scratchingThese are not isolated cases, there are many felines that hate it when we touch their "tummy".
If you have also been through this situation, you may be wondering why cats don't like to have their bellies touched, how you can solve it or which areas are more indicated when caressing him. For this reason, in this article on our site we will explain the causes of this behavior, the meaning of certain body positions and much more about petting and cats. Do not miss it!
Why won't my cat let his belly be touched?
Despite having a reputation for being independent animals, the truth is that cats create very intense emotional bonds with their caregivers. Regardless of sleeping, grooming or playing, our felines love to be petted, especially on the neck or back. However, they don't seem to like it as much when we try to rub their belly. Why happens?
The situation generally unfolds as follows: the cat lazily stretches out, turns on its belly and allows its belly to be touched… Until it bites or scratches! ! Then we ask ourselves what happened, why he doesn't like it and how we can solve it, since it is a particularly soft area of his body, which invites to be caressed.
Why do cats show their bellies?
To learn to relate to our feline correctly we must start learning the body language of cats and to do so understand the meaning of the cat "belly up". Contrary to what many tutors often believe, this position is not an invitation to caresses, but rather a position that indicates cordiality, well-being or relaxation. Our feline tries to tell us that he feels comfortable and calm by our side, something totally positive, but not that we are going to touch him.
When our cat understands that we have ignored that this posture is not a hint, he begins to manifest other signalsof the species, that once again go unnoticed by us humans. We are talking about ears backwards, accompanied by flattened body, displacement movements or rigidity.
As we continue, the cat flattens its ears more and more, makes restless movements with its tail and, finally, it can even get to show bristling hair, while scratching and biting us. For us it was completely unexpected, but our cat knows that we have been warned
In addition, we must understand that the belly is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body of cats that, despite having been domesticated for centuries, maintain certain behaviors of their wildlife. It is for this reason that they tend to have a strong survival instinct, paying attention to possible predators (even if they do not exist within their own home).
Under the belly, in fact, the main organs are located and the cat knows that, by showing them, he is completely vulnerable. This is another reason why cats don't like having their bellies rubbed, unlike dogs.
Should we avoid touching his belly?
We must understand that each individual has a unique personality. While some cats like to have their belly touched, others will be totally offended by such handling. For this reason it is very important that we inform ourselves about the communication of cats and that, in addition, we strive to know the tastes and character of our feline
Where to pet a cat?
In addition to the belly, many owners also wonder why cats don't like to have their paws or tails touched. Well, once again we must emphasize that although the animals lie down pleasantly next to us, that does not mean that they want us to manipulate them, much less excessively.
Instead we can bet on stroking the areas that have a greater acceptance by cats in general, such as the chin, the head, the neck and the back We must also massage with some gentleness, be attentive to his body language and accept that, if he does not want more, he will leave our side.
Although most cats like to be petted, virtually none like it when we force them to stay by our side petting them. They should have the freedom to leave at any time and express that they do not like something, thus fulfilling one of the 5 freedoms of animal welfare.
