I'm running out of archival cat pictures and I'm not at home where I can take more. Luckily I have one left of Hilbert, so catblogging continues this week even in the face of Influenza A.
Now fess up. Could you resist burying your hands in that vast, furry tummy?
Some cats love a tummy rub, some cats bite when you try it. Just sayin'.
That's because people don't understand what a cat is saying when they roll onto their back and expose their tummy. They are not saying, "Please rub my tummy." They are saying, "I trust you enough to expose my most vulnerable spot to you." And people then violate that trust by going after their tummy.
I cat that knows you well enough and has demonstrated an appreciation for tummy rubs might be asking for one. Don't assume that of any other cat, especially one that has reacted by biting before.
If you want, scritch their chest, not their belly.
Exactly! One day It’sa nice warm wriggle, the next it’s a vicious bite and rear claws to the hand. Go figure…
Maybe and maybe not. I do not like cat claws on my head and ears. No thanks.
With one cat I would need an emergency room visit.
With the other the amount of damage would depend on how mellow he is feeling that day. He might, just might, simply bat my hand away. 🙂
I can't resist (but have to). Even so, I don't want a world where I can sink my hands into a squishy cat belly through a screen and actually feel it. (But maybe some people would like that?)
Hilbert will just purr loudly at you. He adores a tummy rub.
Charlie?
All my cats loved tummy rubs, too. Rarely a tooth or claw in sight. My condolences to the rest of you.
fyi--since there was a shout out to Kevin:
https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2025/01/31/gene-lyons-president-donald-trump-will-ruin-american-experiment-last-column
Nice article
My cats would be red in tooth and claw if I tried to fuzz them there. I don’t call it the forbidden fur for nothing…
MEOOOOOW.....you don't own Kitties...Kitties own you...Kitties know.
Perfect for a nice snack of hand...
Both my cats are happy to get belly rubs too, it's a glorious thing!
Ah yeah, but those tiny pink paws...they're begging to be played with.
Right up to the point where he starts petting me with his claws.
"Everything takes longer than you think." —Kevin Drum
This is just about my favorite quotation.