Why Do Cats Show Their Bellies, Then Get Mad When You Pet Them?

Most cat owners have experienced what we call the "Tummy Rub Trap": When your cat rolls over onto their back and shows their soft, fluffy bellies as if offering an invitation for pets, but when you do - you get swatted or scratched. 

So, what's the deal? Why do some cats show us their bellies only to get upset when we actually pet them? 

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. 

Cats are excellent predators - some of nature's most efficient hunters, in fact, with feral cats having a hunting success rate of 70% in open terrain (lions have less than 30%). But domestic cats are also small enough to be prey - and they know it!  As prey, cats know that their belly is one of their most vulnerable areas - exposing it gives potential predators access to their vital organs.

So if your cat attacks you when you pet their belly, you're likely just triggering their natural protection reflex.

A sign of trust. 

When a cat lies on its back and shows you its belly, the cat is relaxed, comfortable, and doesn't feel threatened. It feels safe enough to expose its vulnerable areas without worrying about being attacked. A kitty belly is not necessarily an open invitation for tummy rubs - your cat is basically saying, "I feel safe around you. I know you won't attack me." 

Cats, like humans, are unique individuals. Some cats might enjoy belly rubs. Others will tolerate a pat or two. And other cats, who might have anxiety, hate belly rubs! It all depends on your individual cat, and as a responsible pet owner, respecting their boundaries and sensitivities. 

Hypersensitivity.    

Another reason for springing the Tummy Rub Trap? The hair follicles on the belly and tail area are hypersensitive to touch, according to Lena Provoost, an animal behaviorist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. So petting a cat on the belly (or tail area) can be overstimulating for our feline friends, and cause them irritation. This is why some cats might allow a pat or two on their bellies - but try for a third? No, thanks!