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Tummy Tickles

Because . . . is there anything more irresistible than a furry kitty tummy?

Photo by Cats Coming from Pexels

Newly divorced, I drove away from my old home with little more than the clothes on my back and a fluffy cat snuggled under my arm. My cat Princess wouldn’t have had it any other way. We’d been through thick and thin together, so were off on our own again.

Princess loved being with me and we were inseparable. Her soft, thick fur just invited being caressed. However, she guarded her highly sensitive tummy with her life. As much as I would have loved giving her snow-white fuzzy belly a rub, it wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. She hid it so well from me, I rarely even had a peek at it.

I’ve always lived with a lot of animals throughout my life, mostly dogs and cats adopted from the local animal shelters. All of the dogs loved having their tummies rubbed, while many of the cats were indifferent. Cats are known to be very protective of their stomachs, mainly because it leaves them completely exposed to danger if uncovered. The hair follicles on a cat’s belly apparently are also hypersensitive, so can be overstimulated due to heightened sensitivity.

My friend Molly loves to tickle kitty tummies, so would repeatedly try to rub my cat’s belly, considering it a personal challenge to get to her tum. This only made Princess…

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Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)
Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)

Written by Donna L Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)

Writer and university professor researching the human condition, generational studies, human and animal rights, and the intersection of art and psychology

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