It is a very common misconception for people to think that cats and dogs have similar characteristics, likes, and dislikes. If you are a person who has both cats and dogs at home, you will know how wrong this statement is, won’t you? While dogs love pampering and belly rubs, cats hate it. Have you ever wondered why cats don’t like their belly rubbed? This article will provide you some insight into this.
Cats and dogs are excellent pets, but they are completely different in their behavior. If you have already had a dog in your house and are planning to get a cat soon, you need to read this. First, you should make yourself aware of raising the cat and understanding its behaviors. You should train yourself to understand the signals of the cat. Never try to adopt the same approach to your dog and cats; this is not just a mistake, but a blunder as well.
Why cats don’t like their belly rubbed – What you should know
Usually, one of the best ways to pamper your dogs is to rub its belly in a relaxing way. Your dog loves this action and will immediately return the favor by licking you, hugging you and showing its loyalty to you in many ways. Do the same thing with your cats and alas! You will be left with a bite-mark on your hands! Cats hate it when you rub or touch their bellies. Why cats don’t like their belly rubbed? Read on to know more.
Cats are active and very alert. Therefore, they are good predators. Unfortunately, due to their small size, they also make for good preys. Hence, by default, cats have been designed in such a way that they are ready to launch into the defensive mood, at the slightest possible trigger. When there is more than one cat in your home, you will have an unlimited source of entertainment. They love to play with each other.
Defensive behavior
However, when they start fighting, you will notice that suddenly one of the cats rolls over to its side. This is because, it doesn’t want to expose its vulnerable part, its stomach to its opponent. By way of protecting its tummy, the cat is displaying a defensive behavior. When triggered, the cat uses its paws, claws, and teeth to attack its opponents, in this mode.
So, when you touch your cat’s belly, it will suddenly spring into action and attack you with its claws, paws or teeth. This doesn’t mean that the cat treats you as its enemy. If you have been thinking on why cats don’t like their belly rubbed, you know the answer now. Your cat is not showing any hatred or anger towards you. It is only displaying its defensive behavior.
Watch out for your cat’s actions
When you have a cat at home, it is imperative for you to watch its behavior and movement. Sometimes your cats may roll over on their backs and have a relaxing time enjoying the breeze. Domestic cats display this behavior only when they are absolutely comfortable and safe in their environment. As a cat-owner, you should know better than to go and rub your cat’s belly at this point and spoil its calm, relaxing mood.
Reflex action
When you touch your cat’s belly, you will notice that your pet immediately springs up in action to shake your hand away. This is a reflex action that your cat cannot control. The natural predatory and defensive behavior of the feline animal makes it jump when you touch its most vulnerable area. The cat attacks you with paws, claws or teeth because it wants to defend its tummy and the vital organs inside its tummy, from your touch.
If you have recently bought a cat, it is quite natural for you to feel startled to see your pet’s instant reflex reaction. Many pet owners immediately consult veterinarians to check if their cat is offended or irritated or if something else is wrong with them. Pet owners believe that rubbing the belly is a way of petting & pampering. Therefore, they are alarmed when they see the strange reaction of the pets. If they already have dogs, they are more shocked than ever, because the dog seems to love this petting from its owner!
Understanding feline behavior
Though cats and dogs are very lovable and friendly pets, the similarities end there. By nature & design, the canine and feline species are very different from each other. You have to do some research to understand the likes and dislikes of cats before you get a cat into your home. This will help you create a safe and comfortable environment for the pet.
Questions such as why cats don’t like their belly rubbed, why cats don’t like getting wet, and the like can be easily analyzed and answered when you do your groundwork correctly. This will not create any ambiguity in your minds when you bring cats. Apart from baths and belly rubs, there are quite a lot of things that cats hate.
Some of the common things that your cat is most likely going to hate are car rides, loud sounds, hair-brushing sessions, too much display of love and pampering, nail-cutting sessions and more. As a cat-owner, you should put in a considerable amount of time & effort to understand these feline behavioral patterns, before you decide to bring your cat home.
Why cats don’t like their belly rubbed – Conclusion
Cats don’t want to you show too much of love for them. They don’t want your undivided attention. They hate a lot of pampering from you. This is exactly why cats don’t like their belly rubbed. You may think that by doing so, you are playing with your cat, but your cat thinks otherwise. It sees your touch as a threat to its vital organs, which is why it attacks you as part of its defensive behavior.
So, next time your cat roll over when she sees you,
Before you go ahead and close this page, we would like to suggest to read about Why does your cat roll over when he sees you, for a better understanding of your kitten.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why do cats not like their belly rubbed?
Cats do not like their belly rubbed because it is a vulnerable area for them. When a cat exposes its belly, it does not necessarily mean that it wants to be petted or touched. Instead, it is a sign that it feels comfortable and relaxed in its environment. Some cats may enjoy gentle belly rubs, but it is important to read their body language and respect their boundaries.
What percentage of cats like belly rubs?
There is no exact percentage of cats that like belly rubs, as it varies from cat to cat. Some cats may enjoy gentle belly rubs, while others may not tolerate it at all. It is important to read a cat’s body language and respect their boundaries when attempting to pet or touch their belly.
Why do dogs like belly rubs but cats don’t?
Dogs and cats have different anatomies and behaviors, which is why they may have different preferences for being petted or touched. While dogs have a more exposed and sensitive belly area, which can be a pleasurable spot for them to be rubbed, cats have a more protected belly area and may find it uncomfortable or threatening to be touched there.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
Love reading about cats but my big Tom cat Peppa loves getting his belly stroked. I’d heard that about cats so been really careful but nope he lies down next to me and lies on his back and lets me stroke his belly. There are always exceptions to every rule.
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