Greetings, pawesome human minions.
I’m Forrest. I’m an old tabby, and proud of every single one of my 12 years. From feral to lazy house cat, I’ve seen enough of the world to know what its about.
Now that I’ve found my forever home, I spend a lot of time in my favorite corner on the front porch. The afternoon sun hits my fur just right and the napping is divine. But word has gotten out in my neighborhood. Somehow the rest of the feline populous has learned I’m a cat who knows a few things. Thanks to the meowvine, my afternoon snoozes often meet disruption at the paws of a cat looking for some whisker wisdom.
Ask Forrest, Even If I Am Napping
One particular afternoon, while snoozing on my back, my belly soaking up the warmth of the day, a neighborhood cat I often share a nap with asked me why her humans insist on touching her tummy.
She reported hissing and even swatting with a sheathed paw a time or two to get the message out she wasn’t a fan of tummy rubs, but her mom insisted. The complaining cat bemoaned the belly invasion, saying how much she trusted her mom and that’s why she went belly up around her. And she’d be sad if she had stop showing her mom how much trusted her by exposing such a sensitive area.
@for_theloveofsophie/Instagram
As a tabby with a belly full of striped fur, I know humans are weak to get their hands on it. But I’ve straight-up never allowed it. I was born in a broken refrigerator, for meowing out loud, and got my first raccoon scar before I was even a year old. None shall rub this belly.
No matter how tempting one finds it.
Beyond my loathing of tummy touches, and most cats share my sentiment, I was made to not like it.
Why Cats Hate Belly Rubs
You Want to be Poked in Your Tummy?
Under the belly fur sits a bundle of sensitive organs, like the stomach, for instance. When poked and prodded on what is usually a full belly, its uncomfortable. I’m a big fan of comfort and anything that causes the opposite makes me cranky. Like ears back, growly irritable. So don’t prod the belly, all a cat’s sensitive organs are there.
Don’t Tussle the Tender Fur
Like the fur on our tails, the hair on a cat’s underbelly is hypersensitive. We already feel and sense everything else. Don’t overstimulate us with vigorous scrubbing of the tummy fur.
A Defense Move, My Claws are Ready
When I’m on back, belly up, it’s not always for a good reason. As a young tom who often fought with the other boys, we’d go belly up when we knew couldn’t get away from an opponent. On our backs, cats can still bite and kick hard with clawed feet, both back and front. So, don’t mistake me for vulnerable if I’m stretched out on my back. I’ll still get you good.
Cat Tummies Will Always Be Irresistible, But We Trust You
I told my kitty pal that no matter what she did, her tummy would always appear cute to her mom. And, she also wants to put her hands on her kitty’s tum because love makes humans silly sometimes.
But everyone deserves boundaries, so I told her to give these tricks a whirl:
- When the hands are coming for the belly, roll into a ball or onto her tummy to block access.
- Just leave. We are cats, after all, experts at sauntering away from a situation and not looking back. Plus, we can fit under the bed where humans can’t.
- And, if these tips fail, you might have to give a little claw. Paw punches are usually a cat’s first attempt at voicing annoyance. If those gentle taps are not heeded, hook a claw. I know it sounds mean, but sometimes you have to assert your way with your human. As our minions, they depend on us to train them to our likes and dislikes.
Hopefully, the tummy rub issue gets solved in my friend’s house. I’ve met her mom and she’s alright. She has shrimp treats she shares with me.
Which reminds me…don’t forget to feed the cat.
Feature Image: @bogdan_blobberson/Instagram & @animalscutieness/Instagram