Kitty tummy trap questions:
Hello, I've been watching someone's cat for 5 months and I have some questions. I've never owned a cat and this is the longest I've ever shared my space with one. I think the cat likes me... we have long petting sessions where he wants me to rub him all over and he smooshes himself all over every available inch of me.
One thing I haven't gotten the hang of yet though is - during these petting sessions - he'll flop over on his back like pic related and close his eyes at me in what I believe is a kitty blink. I *REALLY REALLY* want to rub his belly when he does this. I'll inch my hand close to him verrryyyy slowly.... and when I get close he'll put his claws out and grab my hand. He's never scratched me, ever, and he doesn't scratch me... he gently rests his claws on my incoming hand as if to tell me "that's close enough pal!".. and then he kitty blinks at me.
He does this all the time. I really want to rub his inviting little cat belly because he's a big fricking cutie pie... but I also don't want him to scratch the shit out of me. If he hurts me I'll get mad. Is he going to scratch me if I inch closer?
He's really gentle with me... he open his mouth and puts his teeth on me but never, ever bites me. I really want to rub his belly.
It's play. They think you're playing with them, just like how a littermate would play. Housecats are psychologically in a state of extended kittenhood, and see you as a big dumb littermate. They attack your hand because kitten 'play' is basically practising predatory behaviour. As long as you set boundaries on how hard they can scratch/bite, and as long as you respect their boundaries on how much you can fight back, it's fine.
He is just playing and showing he trusts you by exposing belly. Some cats love to get belly and chest rubs and will never attack or seriously scratch if you go for it, some don't like it and will scratch. Exposing belly isn't always an invitation to touch, it depends on the cat.
Thoughts
Your kind of more scratching its chest than its belly.
This is common cat behavior, it's play-fighting. This is how kittens play, they kinda grapple each other and kick and bite but they know not to do it to hard. But you're a b***h simian with no fur so it easily hurts you.
Of course sometimes a cat genuinely isn't playing and is pissed.at.you but it's easy to tell
Advice: start gently scratching the neck, they love that, and then gradually make your way to the belly, you have less chance for it to scratch you. If it responds well it will eventually let you do it in one go, my does it but only if then I also pet her neck and head in exchange.
>Anon I am going to expose my vulnerable underside to you because I wish to express that I trust you and am comfortable around you
>*rubs belly
>What the frick anon! you have violated the trust I just gave to you. What the frick is your problem?
Really anon what the frick is your problem?
My mother's cat will let me rub her belly if I do it very slowly with my foot
My cat lets you pet it all over, comes when called, plays fetch, and other shit.
Mainly because it was raised with five dogs after it's mother abandoned it from birth and doesn't know how to cat at all.
Hilariously, it proves that cats teach other cats to be buttholes and it isn't the default stance.
My cats let me rub their stomachs.
My male loves to roll over on his back, grab my hand, bite it, and rabbit kick my arm. It's fun playtime for him. He's a big boy, he can handle it.
My female is much smaller and daintier and she'd bite the SHIT out of me if I touched her belly.
trim your cats nails and you can rub their tummy as much as you want
>vet offers to trim cat's nails
>I say why not
>cat likes to run at the speed of sound and leap across the room to catch on the side of his giant cat tree
>no grip, he heats shit and bounces off the wall
I felt kind of bad.
Do not listen to this dorklord. Cat nails are self-trimming. Do not subject your cat to a vet nail trim. It's unnecessary.
OHH FRICK IT HURTS SO MUCH WHY DID I DO THIS
arm pics or gtfo
OK I'mma go for it. Thanks guys.
Cat belly is a prize only for the brave.
They expose their bellies like that to show they trust you, or showing you they're not a threat.
My last cat absolutely hated having his stomach touched (not that it ever stopped me from slapping that cat belly), my current cat will grab my hand and put it on his chest and try to rub his face on my hand.
Yeah what the worst that could happen. A cat scratching you isn't the end of the world. They are weak. But yeah, you'll know the answer a half second after touching his belly. Hell, I've had cat go bat shit randomly during their purring and snuggling and freak the frick out.
>I've had cat go bat shit randomly during their purring and snuggling and freak the frick out.
The cat got over stimulated, it short circuits their brains and they go from loving affection to furry blender. Best thing to do is watch the tail, once it starts getting twitchy let up for a second, or blow in the cat's ear to get its attention.
Cats are like women where they sometimes regret sex and then accuse you of rape after the fact.
That cat is wearing a bikini. Lmao. Just go for it.
Also this is a useless thread. Should have just left it to a post in the cat general.
some cats are actually pretty receptive to it, it's not a universally guaranteed attack spot.