When she rolls over and shows you her belly, you may think your cat is saying 'tickle my tummy'. But, in fact, most cats don't like to have their tummy rubbed. By exposing the most vulnerable part of her body, she's showing that she trusts you – but she'd probably rather be tickled around her head.
Some cats will come up to you full of love and affection, roll over and stretch out, but when you extend your hand to give them a belly tickle they suddenly seem to turn feral in a biting and clawing frenzy. This is a defensive reaction; the cat's belly is probably their most vulnerable area to predators.
Some cats are highly motivated by food and treats. And if you have such a cat, you can give your pet treats to help him form a positive association with belly rubs. Over time, with repetition, persistence, and lots of patience, your cat will soon enjoy getting belly rubs from you.”
Cats don't like being touched on the belly for the same reason they don't like being touched on the tail. The hair follicles on a cat's tail and belly are hypersensitive. A belly rub can be overstimulating due to the heightened sesitivity.
A host of vital organs sits mere millimeters under the skin of your cat's tummy, and damage to any of them could be potentially fatal. Cats are therefore highly likely to guard their bellies from potential injuries. Unlike dogs, who love to have their tummies rubbed, cats are a good deal more reticent about it.
The head, chin and neck are often their favorites. While some cats enjoy having their tails touched, others will recoil and even experience pain from a tail stroke. Take it slowly, paying close attention to your cat's reactions to your touch and always respecting their preferences.
If you notice your cat showing their belly when they first see you — after school or work, for example — it's probably a sign that they're happy to see you and want some attention. Think of it as excitement and a sign of love.
Most cats don't understand that kisses from humans are a sign of affection. A cat will surely let you know if they enjoy being kissed or not. The best ways to show your cat that you love them are to give them toys, treats, and plenty of one-on-one time.
They're soft, small, and just unexplainably adorable. But there is a reason why most cats don't like their paws touched: their paws are extremely sensitive. Cat paws contain large concentrations of nerve receptors, turning your cat's cute paws into finely tuned sensory organs.
First of all, the belly is a very vulnerable place. A host of vital organs sits mere millimeters under the skin of your cat's tummy, and damage to any of them could be potentially fatal. Cats are therefore highly likely to guard their bellies from potential injuries.
Your cat is not aroused sexually; your cat simply wants to show you his affection. More precisely, your cat wants to tell you that he loves and trusts you like his maternal figure. So instead of feeling insulted the next time your cat presents you his butt, maybe you will feel “special”…!
Tail: Most cats don't particularly like to be petted on the tail. And for what it's worth, a cat's tail is a good measuring stick for how stimulated (read: agitated) she's becoming as a result of your petting. The more it starts to move, the sooner you should keep your hands to yourself.
Yes, you read that right: A recent study revealed that getting your pet's attention is as simple as speaking with a high-pitched tone and extended vowels, just like how you'd communicate with a human baby.
It's all instinct.
A cat's typical response when its belly is touched is to go into defensive mode - they swat or scratch and may even gently bite. Your cat's not being mean, it's simply a natural reflex of protection. This stems from their natural instincts as both predators and prey.
It means that your cat wants attention and trusts you enough to touch her belly. Remember your cat's belly is the most vulnerable spot on her body. If she allows you to pet her in this area, then she trusts you completely.
He was showing affection! When cats stretch, they're saying they feel comfortable and relaxed. If a cat stretches in front of you, it means you make him feel content!
Cats typically don't like being petted on their tummy, legs/feet, or tail. Of course, there are always outliers—some cats will love every bit of affection, no matter where they're touched or who's doing it. But generally, you shouldn't pet a cat you don't know on their stomach or extremities.
However, sensitivity is not the only reason why your cat doesn't like their paws to be touched. In a way, when you hold your cat's paw, you're neutralizing their defence mechanism: the claws, which makes your cat feel vulnerable and trapped, and that's why they bite.
Sorry to break it to you, but human meows mean nothing to cats. At most, you can get your cat's attention and they may even appreciate your attempts to communicate by purring or even meowing back. But to most cats, human meows sound like human language.
No, your cat doesn't actually think you're the mama cat that birthed it. But cats show us a level of affection and respect that is very similar to the way they treat their mama cat. And this sweet fact flies in the face of anyone who thinks cats' “aloof” personality means they don't care about us.
They're marking their territory
PetMD also points out that cats are territorial creatures. They claim their turf by marking it with their scent. So when they sleep on top of you, they're actually marking you—and your bed—as theirs. We should be flattered by this behavior, apparently.
Cats are able to sense sadness in a way that they associate the visual and auditory signals of human sadness such as frowning and a listless voice with how they are addressed or treated whenever their human is in a sad state.
Headbutting is a way for cats to mark you with pheromones and bond with you. However, sometimes headbutting can be a way for cats to seek attention. As a general rule, cats like to be scratched under the chin and on the head, so a cat may just be presenting their head to you for some attention and good scratches.
What your cat is really trying to tell you is, “Hey, I want you to smell a little more like me but don't worry I still love you!” How is this done? Cats can activate the scent glands on their head just above the eye and below their ear, which excretes pheromones that they in turn rub on you.