Do Cats Like to Have Their Tummies Rubbed?

Cats are excellent companion animals, but their behavior sometimes surprises their owners. That's why it's never a bad idea to learn about them in order to understand them better.

Reviewed and approved by the biologist Samuel Sanchez.

Written by Manuela Herrera Montoya

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Cat behavior can often seem strange and you often need to know more about them in order to understand them. A cat’s tummy is one of the most sensitive areas for them, so you’ll need to make sure that they really want their tummies rubbed before you do it.

With this in mind, do you think cats like having their tummies rubbed? If you’ve ever had a cat let you pet their stomach (or if they bit you after you did), here’s why.

Some cats don’t like to have their tummies rubbed

The hair follicles on a cat’s tummy and tail are very sensitive to the touch. For this reason, rubbing them in these areas is often over-stimulating and very unpleasant for them, say experts from National Geographic.

Some cats may even get aggressive and angry if you pet their stomachs. Another reason is that their instincts make them consider their belly one of their most vulnerable areas which should be protected. Remember that the belly and thorax contain all the vital organs (except the brain).

Felines prefer to be petted on their head, specifically under the chin and on the cheeks, where they have their scent glands or pheromones. If you see cats rubbing each other’s faces, it may seem rather strange to you, but it’s totally normal in these animals. With this gesture, they give off a sign of trust and friendship and it’s a way of marking the other cat to show that they belong to their “group”.

Other parts of the body where cats can tolerate stroking are the top of the head (between the ears), neck, and back. You should not force your cat to let you pet it, because if they want to be petted, then they won’t hesitate to come up to you and show you very clearly.

Other felines love to have their tummy rubbed

On the other hand, some cats don’t mind having their tummies rubbed at all and will even lie on their backs to let you know it’s time to rub them, says Animal Path. This behavior tends to be the least common of all, although it does exist.

So, if your cat shows you their tummy (for whatever reason), consider yourself lucky. Keep in mind that most felines get annoyed and aggressive at any hint of you petting one of their most sensitive areas.

Why does my cat show me their tummy? Get to know the reasons

There are several reasons for this behavior. Your cat wants to play with you, they’re giving you their trust, they want you to rub their tummy, or they’re simply asking for help to soothe an itch. Here we’ll look at each reason in turn.

Your cat wants to play

Playtime for domestic and feral cats is very important in order to develop their hunting skills. So, when your cat shows you their tummy, it’s probably not just for petting. They may be persuading you to rub it so they can hunt for your hand (as a game, of course).

It’s also a sign of defense

In the wild, and also in domestic environments, when several cats live together it’s sometimes usual to see that one of them lies on their back showing their belly. This is a sign of defense and represents one of the last resources that has a feline to be cautious and communicate that it’s surrendering in the face of possible aggression.

Your cat simply loves it when you pet their tummy

Like people, cats also have favorite places to be petted. Some of these places are the chin, the base of the tail, and the cheeks. Some felines like to have their tummy rubbed, but don’t let you do it on other parts of their bodies.

This activity can become a painful one for owners when their cats bite their hand or arm in order to communicate “no more”. If your cat lets you rub its tummy, or asks you to do it, it’s important to be aware of their body language. For example, when they wiggle their ears, they’re telling you that they’ve had enough.

A cat that trusts you

Cats are excellent predators, but their size makes them vulnerable to larger animals. Because of this, cats tend to be wary even of humans. If your cat shows you their tummy, and lets you rub it, it means they trust you and feel very safe with you, so much so that they’re willing to put themselves in a vulnerable position.

Your cat has an itch

Some parts of your kitty’s body are difficult for them to reach and scratch. So, if your cat has a bite or is itching from an allergy, they’re likely to lie on their back for you to help him with this issue.

As you can see, the most important thing is to know how to read your cat’s body language. Every cat is different and some cats like things that others don’t. If your cat is lying on their back, it doesn’t specifically mean they’re inviting you to pet them, They may just be comfortable in that position and happy to be undisturbed.

In summary, one thing is clear. If someone interrupts your cat unexpectedly, then the cat won’t hesitate to express their dislike of what has happened. If you rub your cat’s tummy without their permission, then you’ll soon know about it!