The infographic explains! 😻 No need to add a lot of extra words. This is a quick read which is what internet users like nowadays. When a cat does this their tail might twitch a little to indicate a little uncertainty. They are in a vulnerable position thanks to their trust in their caregiver. It is a reflection of the intimacy of the cat-human relationship and its strength. It is perhaps a test. If your cat never does this it may indicate a lack of trust; or your cat might be particularly timid and anxious. Should that be the case it might be useful to assess what is happening.
Is it okay to kiss my cat’s tummy? Yes and no. If the relationship is great it should be okay but it depends on the cat’s inherent character.
My cat gets very excited when I loudly kiss his belly. He seems to regard it as an act of love by his mother. He is correct! 😻👍
In fact he goes upstairs to encourage me to participate in this ritual. I comply diligently. After I have kissed him, he grooms himself. It seems that my actions are a catalyst for self-grooming.
Sometimes you can get a cat to self-grooming by petting them. And sometimes you can get a cat to eat the food that you have put down but has been refused by stroking their back.
I think this is the cat responding to their ‘mother’s’ encouragement. I kiss his belly flap. Some more on that interesting item of feline anatomy…
RELATED: What are theories for the existence of the domestic cat belly flap?
There are a few interesting theories about the purpose of the belly flap, also known as the primordial pouch, in domestic cats:
- Protection: The loose skin and fatty tissue act as a shield for vital organs like the liver during fights. This is especially helpful when cats use their powerful hind legs to “bunny kick” at each other, as the pouch adds an extra layer between sharp claws and delicate insides [!].
- Flexibility: The extra skin allows cats to stretch further when they jump or run. This gives them more agility and helps them cover greater distances with each leap or stride. This can be crucial for hunting prey or escaping predators [!].
- Food storage: In the wild, cats feast when they can and may go long stretches without food. The elasticity of the pouch allows their belly to expand to accommodate a large meal, storing fat reserves for later [!].
These theories are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The primordial pouch may very well serve all of these purposes! My cat has a great belly flap. I challenge the conventional views in my article below which opens in a new tab/page.
RELATED: Challenging the theories about the cat’s primordial pouch or belly flap
