15 Animal Bellies That Need To Be Rubbed Right Now

The belly rubs that we give to our pets are fun and adorable, but there’s more to it than that. When an animal presents its belly to you, it represents a sign of submissiveness or trust.

Dr. Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and a Veterinary Behaviorist at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, notes that although both cats and dogs expose their bellies, their reasons can differ. 

Cats often lie on their backs in a defensive posture, which is not an invitation for a belly rub, she explains, while dogs have other motives. “Dogs expose their bellies as part of a submissive display, sometimes during play, and with people they are comfortable with,” says Dr. Gruen.

The submissive element doesn’t mean that the pup is not enjoying the rub. If the dog is comfortable with the person who is petting him, the pup will sometimes roll onto his back to increase belly access. “It seems that in these dogs, the belly rub feels good,” she says.