Yeah, it’s risky business and you need to be careful, because as you you say you are in range of all four murder mittens and many cats don’t like getting their stomach petted.
I usually start petting them in other places, then progressively try petting their upper belly, going down. At the first sign that it’s not received well I immediately remove my hand.
Whether it’s safe or not depends on the cat; With my lot the reactions range from wanting as much as you will give to a bite serious enough that a visit to A&E is required.
In case of my previous cat, it was ALWAYS a trap (i still did it, some blood is a cheap price to pet a kitty’s belly), but my current cat loves belly rubs.
Four paws and mouth. Cats love it for like x number of seconds, then suddenly part of their lizard-cat brain kicks. I swear this is some kind of instinct behavior carried over from evolution.
I used to have this very sweet very old cat, I had for years. She would lay next to me in bed and let me pet her stomach. One time she did the weird belly bite claw attack thing, or started to. Chompers at the ready around my thumb. But instantly stopped and froze in place. We were both shocked. I turned to look at her like “wtf just happened?” My hand still in place. And she’s looking back at me like “wtf just happened?” Like she didn’t even know. It was so bizarre and out of character. I kind of laughed, and I think she felt bad. Then we continued cuddling.
Cats will ask for it though. They will lay next to you and roll over, expose their stomach to you. Then welcome you petting them for some short amount of time.
I don’t touch cat bellies. Puts my arm in striking range of all four paws.
Yeah, it’s risky business and you need to be careful, because as you you say you are in range of all four murder mittens and many cats don’t like getting their stomach petted.
I usually start petting them in other places, then progressively try petting their upper belly, going down. At the first sign that it’s not received well I immediately remove my hand.
Whether it’s safe or not depends on the cat; With my lot the reactions range from wanting as much as you will give to a bite serious enough that a visit to A&E is required.
In case of my previous cat, it was ALWAYS a trap (i still did it, some blood is a cheap price to pet a kitty’s belly), but my current cat loves belly rubs.
Four paws and mouth. Cats love it for like x number of seconds, then suddenly part of their lizard-cat brain kicks. I swear this is some kind of instinct behavior carried over from evolution.
I used to have this very sweet very old cat, I had for years. She would lay next to me in bed and let me pet her stomach. One time she did the weird belly bite claw attack thing, or started to. Chompers at the ready around my thumb. But instantly stopped and froze in place. We were both shocked. I turned to look at her like “wtf just happened?” My hand still in place. And she’s looking back at me like “wtf just happened?” Like she didn’t even know. It was so bizarre and out of character. I kind of laughed, and I think she felt bad. Then we continued cuddling.
If you randomly touch some people’s stomachs enough, they might pounce as well.
Cats will ask for it though. They will lay next to you and roll over, expose their stomach to you. Then welcome you petting them for some short amount of time.
My neighbour’s cat always came running up when he saw me and flopped on his back across my feet.