POLL: What would you do in this situation? - Are you willing to risk it?

[CoolFool]

You're just an average kiwi, sitting around shit posting when out of nowhere, you see an adorable cat across the room! How nice.

The cat comes up to you and purrs and rubs up on your legs. She even meows a bit, which makes the whole thing 10X more adorable.

The cat then proceeds to flop over on her back, stretch a bit, and then rest in this pose. You didn't think she could get any cuter, but you were dead wrong. Here she is, showing her belly, it's like she's telling you to pet her there!

The question is... do you do it?

For the record, this cat has really sharp claws.

Once you've made your choice, you can't change it, so choose wisely!

Tomorrow I'll use a random generator and see what the cat does. Good luck.

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EDIT: FINAL RESULTS AND OUTCOME!

I meant to do this earlier but KF kept crashing.


Anyway! 59 final votes, with a vast majority saying they will pet the cat regardless of the risks involved. A few said they wouldn't because they don't trust the cat, and the least amount of votes want to pet the cat but do it quickly enough before the cat can react. No one voted for the other options.


Let's see how you all did. I used a random generator to decide a random outcome:


1. The cat is in a good mood and doesn't want to claw you. You can pet her as much as you like!
2. The cat is in a playful mood, if you're quick enough, maybe you can get one good pet in before she gets you.
3. Don't trust her, that innocent face is lying to you. As soon as you try to pet her, your hand/arm is getting shredded.


The random generator picked: outcome #3!


Congrats to everyone who voted "no", you have come out of this unscathed. Those who voted to pet the cat (myself included), well, we have a new scar now.

 

[Gog & Magog]

I pet the kitty

 

[Sparkletor 2.0]

A wise man once said, "If you love something, pet its belly and if it scratches you, it was meant to be".

 

[CoolFool]

I pet the kitty

Same, worth the risk.

This thread was inspired by my cat, who sometimes let's me pet the belly and other times latches onto my arm and gives me new scars.

 

[Testacles Maximus]

I pet the cat. It’s a cat, that’s what they’re for.

 

[DOUBLE_WHEEL]

Yes and I pet it hoping it does that funny latch on and kick thing cats always do.

 

[Ultrapenguin]

I don't deal with cat games, if they want to get petted they can approach and make themselves available in appropriate pet receiving posture. Beartrap form is not appropriate for pet receiving.

This agreement historically has led to amiable cat-human interactions.

 

[Sparkling Yuzu]

No I don't pet her belly because cats showing their bellies is their way of saying they trust you and can feel vulnerable around you but if you go and actually touch it, you just broke their trust. That's why they scratch or bite if you pet their bellies.

 

[CoolFool]

No I don't pet her belly because cats showing their bellies is their way of saying they trust you and can feel vulnerable around you but if you go and actually touch it, you just broke their trust. That's why they scratch or bite if you pet their bellies.

Is that really true tho? I don't want to break my cat's trust.

My cat loves it sometimes and falls asleep when I do it, other times my arm is shredded.

 

[Sparkling Yuzu]

Is that really true tho? I don't want to break my cat's trust.

Yes, that's what I read about why cats scratch or bite sometimes when you try to pet their bellies.

Most cats love being pet on the top of the head, sides of the face, neck, and under the chin. Questionable areas, as Geller calls them, include the belly, paws, legs, and tail.

“Cats don’t like to be touched in particular places for two main reasons: sensitivity and an instinctual need to protect themselves,” Geller explains. When it comes to the belly, the hair follicles are hypersensitive to touch. Petting a cat’s stomach “can be overstimulating to the point of being painful.”

Plus, the belly has a layer of fat, muscle, and tissue called the primordial pouch with one important job—protecting a cat’s most vital organs. As predator and prey, it’s in their DNA to avoid touch to the tummy.

https://www.rover.com/blog/do-cats-like-belly-rubs/

https://archive.ph/wip/4Fxss

You’re relaxing while spending some quality time with your pet. All of the sudden your cat rolls over and exposes their belly. Instinctively you reach to touch their fluffy tummy – and what happens? Your hand is met with some claws and teeth.

You just fell for what many call the “cat tummy trap.” So why do some cats react this way when we try to touch their bellies?

The Belly is a Vulnerable Place​

Many vital organs sit mere millimeters under the skin of your cat’s tummy, and damage to any of them could be potentially fatal. It’s their instinct to protect their bellies from potential injuries.

Exposing the Exposed Belly​

When a cat shows you their belly, the cat is relaxed, comfortable, and doesn’t feel threatened. They feel safe enough to expose their vulnerable areas without worrying about being attacked. They are pretty much telling you, “I trust you with my life.” It’s a great honour! But this is not always an invitation to rub their belly.

How Do I Know if it’s a Trap?​

Some cats like belly rubs – some cats even ask for it. How do you know if your cat enjoys being touched on their stomach? Listen to their body language. If they react well and accept gentle pets, then your cat likes to have their stomach touched. If you are met with a quick glare, a scratch, or a nip, your cat does not enjoy having their tummies touched.

https://www.torontohumanesociety.com/the-cat-tummy-trap-explained/

https://archive.ph/wip/moMEf

If a cat is stretched out on her back in a sunny spot in a room of your house and looking very peaceful and relaxed, it means she feels very comfortable and not threatened. She’s secure enough in her immediate environment to enjoy the warmth of the sun on her tender tummy. Just don’t ruin that moment by thinking it’s ok to pet her in such a vulnerable spot.

https://catbehaviorassociates.com/why-you-shouldnt-pet-your-cats-belly/

https://archive.ph/wip/C5mPl

 

[DoomsdayElite]

Of course I'm petting. If I get some nasty cuts, fuck it.

 

[CoolFool]

Well shoot, I hope my cat understands I'm dumb and don't know any better

 

[AnsemSoD1]

And this is how does A Haunting episodes always start, with the innocuous shit.

 

[CoolFool]

So far most kiwis are willing to take the risk and pet the cat, so far there aren't any cat haters.

 

[Cryptosporidium 136]

No I don't pet her belly because cats showing their bellies is their way of saying they trust you and can feel vulnerable around you but if you go and actually touch it, you just broke their trust. That's why they scratch or bite if you pet their bellies.

I don’t know about you but my cats (sometimes) LOVE belly rubs.

I’m at least gonna attempt to pet the kitty.

 

[Almighty Space Duck]

Yes and I pet it hoping it does that funny latch on and kick thing cats always do.

You know why/what instinct makes them do that right?

 

[PeggieBigCock]

I’m getting that belly even if it costs me my entire arm

 

[DOUBLE_WHEEL]

You know why/what instinct makes them do that right?

I didn't before it was posted, but now I do. I'm probably still going to pet the belly because sometimes they'll try to get you to pet it by laying down and rolling around when you don't. Cats are very fickle creatures.

 

[AfghanBlue]

You know why/what instinct makes them do that right?

My cat do a thing where, she does actually really like being stroked on her belly, and let's you do it for as long as she can bare, but then does thing kind of tourettes twitch and jumps back round onto her feet.
Like she knows she's just about to scratch you but doesn't want to so shuts down the show.
Kind kitty.

 

[Smaug's Smokey Hole 2]

No, I only pet cats outside.