How to Pet a Cat That Shows Its Belly
📝 Summary
A cat showing its most vulnerable part means total trust—no doubt. But showing the belly doesn't mean 'permission to touch'; it's just ease and relaxation.
1 Overview
1. Individual differences
(1) Some cats absolutely hate belly touches
(2) Some accept, but only for a time
(3) Some accept, but with requirements on method, force, even speed
Beyond the threshold awaits a combo of fists, feet, and bites. Example:
Coming home to a cute cat on the bed, a ‘molest’ urge rises; you pounce with lightning strokes—perfectly triggering the cat’s hunting instinct! Fast hand moves easily trigger instinctive response.
2. Meaning of rolling over between cats
Pure play, but also a defensive posture. Sometimes a ‘side-lying’ pose interacts with the owner (practicing hunt skills).
3. How to gauge it?
(1) When the cat starts staring at your hand, stop petting!
(2) When the tail starts swishing, stop petting!
Trust isn’t tolerance; annoy it and it won’t spare your pride. Know your cat—where, how long, how hard—learned by daily observation.
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