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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. Depending on your relationship with a dog, showing their tummy either means that they trust you and want a belly rub, or that they're submitting to you (in which case you should approach them in a friendly but respectful manner). Cats usually show their bellies as a defensive gesture, so most will only tolerate a brief belly rub before attacking.
If you've got an adorable picture of a belly rub, please share it with us below!
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#1
This Guy Loves Belly Rub
KrystaTulenko 10 years ago
My turtle likes it when I scrub him with a toothbrush, it helps loosen up any flaky parts of their shells
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LeanneNotacooper 10 years ago
I am now going to ask my mum to see if her tortoise enjoys it too lol
RELATED:
#2
She Fell Over With That Face The Moment I Started Rubbing Her Belly
PrincessLily 10 years ago
My pig(pricilla) does that every time!! its so cute!! but she's not that tiny anymore:)
#3
Baby Lamb Belly Rub
rachaelrandall 10 years ago
Definitely a goat! how do you get through life without knowing your basic farm animals?!
Phoenix 10 years ago
I know! Unbelievable. Of course we don't actually know if the people in this picture actually slaughtered this goat, but its much nicer for our self sense of compassion if we make sarcastic comments on every image of an animal that may be subjected to some kind of mistreatment. Actually, if we were to spend as much time raising awareness for actual examples of animal abuse than we do trolling the internet to make pretentious, pseudo activist comments on images of animals having their belly rubbed then we might actually make a difference. But hey, as you know, we would much rather just make people feel bad for sharing a picture of an animal being stroked. On that note, let me alert bored panda not to post any more animal related contact for fear of morons like us not having the willpower to refrain from shoving our misdirected beliefs in peoples face On second thought, maybe I'm not like you, i believe in animal rights, you believe in undermining those that don't
Load More Replies... #4
Baby Fox Getting A Belly Rub
SheilaZaprzalka 10 years ago
That's not a belly rub. It is being held down. It looks distressed.
#5
Apparently, Any Cat Loves A Good Belly Rub
ShannonHarvey 10 years ago
Especially sedated ones who are exploited and drugged for ignorant tourist photo opps.
CherieDugger 10 years ago
We don't know anything about this instance. I see a happy animal, who could be living in a sanctuary for all we know.
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JulieAtwood 10 years ago
That seems unwise, usually a cat will let you do that for about 2 seconds and then swat you, and I don't think getting swatted by that cat is going to be any fun at ALL.
#6
The Face Of A Belly-rub In Progress
#7
Bart The Bear And His Trainer Doug Seus
TammyChapman 10 years ago
I remember watching Grizzly Adams when I was young. I wanted to go live there. (I grew up in Houston Texas, so the mountains looked like heaven to me).
#8
Shark Looks Like A Dog Enjoying A Belly Rub
#9
Fox Gets A Belly Rub
#10
Hedgehog Gets A Belly Rub
LeanneNotacooper 10 years ago
Tickling their "skirts" gently when curled up relaxes them enough to uncurl incase you need to check for injuries
#11
One More Belly Rub May Result In A Hand Attack, But For Now, Simon Is Giving Out Hugs And Kisses
LeanneNotacooper 10 years ago
Sorry I lied when I said one more tickle & you could gave your hand back
#12
Sloth Getting A Belly Rub Like A Boss
Joannechrisco 10 years ago
We need less mean, sloppy, and careless humans And more Of everything else
#13
My Dog's Face Every Time I Rub Her Belly
#14
Pet Rat Loves Belly Rubs
RoxanneHughes 10 years ago
My rat would flop over next to my hand so I would rub is belly. It's a sign of great trust for them...opening up their most vulnerable spot.
alexa_bessee 9 years ago
I don't care what people say. My friend used to have a rat. THEY.MARE. SO. CUUUUUUUUUTE!
#15
Douglas The Wombat Really Loves Belly Rubs
#16
Otter Gets A Luxurious Belly Rub
KristineSumair 10 years ago
http://dailyotter.org/2012/03/21/otters-that-look-like-benedict-cumberbatch/ Click this link, then imagin Benedict Cumberbatch getting a belly rub ;3
#17
Who Doesn't Love A Good Belly Rub?
#18
My Cat Smiles Like Crazy When You Rub Her Belly
#19
Rolling In The Grass And Getting A Belly Rub Is Just Too Much - Look At This Smile
LeanneNotacooper 10 years ago
Have you seen my other ear? I know I put it around here somewhere but they keep making out I'm going crazy
#20
Pixie Enjoying A Belly Rub
#21
I Bet You Didn't Know You Needed This Adorableness In Your Life Until Now
#22
My Dog Every Time He Gets A Belly Rub
TammyChapman 10 years ago
Adorable. They learn how to smile from us, especially if you get them young. You can teach them that when teeth are bared it can show happiness for both them and you. Or you that when teeth are bared it can be seen as a threat. No idea if you can do both though. I've never bared my teeth in a threatening manner towards any animal....I would worry they might want to kill me.
#29
Warm Sun + Belly Rub = Corgi Heaven
#32
Homeless Dog Waiting For Love
Final score:
30points
TammyChapman 10 years ago
It breaks my heart to see any creature (human or animal) homeless and alone, with no one to show them love.
#33
Lilly From An Animal Shelter In Germany ( Tierheim Laage) Smiles When You Rub Her Belly
Final score:
30points
HarmonyRose 10 years ago
Lilly should come live with me and my little D in Alaska!! <3 sweet shelter pup!!
#34
Merlin Enjoying A Good Old Belly Rub
#35
Oh, Hi There!
#36
Loki Looking For Belly Rubs
PatrickStoddard 10 years ago
What breed of dog is this? It kind of looks like a Chinese Mastiff
#38
Oreo Bunny Is Getting A Belly Rub
CarolinevanHouwelingen 10 years ago
Bunnies don't like to be laid on their backs. The reason they stay quiet is because they kinda fake death.
DanielNguyen 10 years ago
This is true, it's called tonic immobility and is a survival mechanism. When they come-to, they actually experience heightened heart rate and extreme stress. Totally not cool to do this unless you need to check temperature or other necessary things.
Load More Replies... CarolinevanHouwelingen 10 years ago
I don't know why your bunny did that, but it is quite an exception of they do that.
Load More Replies... #39
Belly Rubs
#40
All In!
Final score:
24points
#43
Enjoying His Tummy Rub
LeanneNotacooper 10 years ago
I'm exhausted from walking, my legs are tiny & I'm laying here waiting to be carried but everyone thinks I want a tickle!
#44
It's Monday! Pet Me!
Final score:
20points
DonnaScheff 10 years ago
Cute belly rubs..but what is the future for lamb , piglet? Belly rubs and forever home, or slaugjter.
#45
Joy = Laying Under A Tree + Tennis Ball In Mouth + Belly Rub
LeanneNotacooper 10 years ago
"You can tickle me all you want but I'm not giving you back the ball!"
#47
Ming Begging For A Belly Rub.
Final score:
19points
LeanneNotacooper 10 years ago
You come near me with that brush n I'm guna to show you what a real samurai pizza cat actually looks like!
#48
My Beauty Homeless Dog, Arpalette
Final score:
19points
#49
Sometimes You Fall Asleep Mid Tummy Rub
#54
Alice Does Love Her Tummy Rubs
#55
Cute Puppy Need To Belly Rubs
Final score:
13points
#56
Doxies Are Belly Masters
Final score:
13points
#58
I Don't Like The Vet But When I Go I Demand Belly Rubs From Doc!
Final score:
13points
#59
Enjoying A Belly Rub
#60
Belly Rub
LeanneNotacooper 10 years ago
Quickest way to clear dust off your floor the all new doggy duster!
#61
Zip Tie Loves Belly Rubs More Than Anything
Final score:
11points
SarahBooth 9 years ago
Some cats love belly rubs and others loathe it. But if you have a cat that loves belly rubs, it doesn't matter how late you are, you have to stop and give belly rubs when they demand it.
#62
Please????
Final score:
10points
#68
Belly!! Now!!
Final score:
9points
#69
More Sweet Belly Rubs, He Is As Happy As Can Be
#70
Sasha And Misha Waiting For Their Belly Rubs
Final score:
8points
#73
This Is How I Beg For Belly Rubs In 3...2...1...
Final score:
8points
#78
❤️
Final score:
6points
#80
Begging For A Belly Rub.
Final score:
5points
ScualeSthillier 10 years ago
What about the meerkat ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bo2FcrKtUA
#86
Tama's Favourite Sleeping Position. Always Ready For A Belly Rub!
Final score:
1point
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What do you think ?
AceHoffman 10 years ago
I love this article! For one thing, #1 and #18 have virtually identical expressions (as do many of the others). Just absolutely adorable!
AceHoffman 10 years ago
I love this article! For one thing, #1 and #18 have virtually identical expressions (as do many of the others). Just absolutely adorable!
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