WHY DO CATS FLOP DOWN IN FRONT OF YOU OR FLOP OVER?

Why do cats flop down in front of you at times? It is a funny phenomenon and also cute when cats do this. Are they trying to get us to pet them? Do they want belly rubs? Or they want to show you how good they are laying on their back?

Cats flop primarily because they want to show affection and trust and want to get some attention, possibly pets. They also flop if they are in heat, if they’re going to play, mark territory, and relax.

Let’s see what are the circumstances that make cat flops.

WHY DO CATS FLOP DOWN IN FRONT OF YOU?

If your cats look at you and flop down or flop over in front of you, you are a lucky cat owner. Your cat is fond of you and can’t wait for you to give him a lot of affection. He is giving you all his trust and love with this gesture.

Cats do not do this with everyone, we all know cats for being very alert to what is going on, and if there is one body part they want to protect the most, this is their belly.

Let’s face it, when cats flop over, it is tough to resist the temptation to rub their belly and kiss them all over, especially while they are looking at you with expectancy.

While cat’s affection and love are among the most common reasons for cats flopping over, there are other explanations for this cute cat behavior.

Here some of the reasons:

• YOUR CAT IS PLAYING

Sometimes cats are playing, and they flip over or lay on their back to use their paws to catch things. If suddenly you see your cat on his back looking at you, it can be that he was playing, or he wants to play with you.

Possibly is waiting for you to move something in the top of him so that he can play catch—perhaps your hands or a toy. You can see that he is playing from his tail that moves back and forth. He is in a playful or hunting mood.

• YOUR CAT IS IN HEAT

When cats are in heat typically, you see them rubbing against things, amongst all the things they do. You may see them running on the floor with their head and backs. They can do this on the floor or other surfaces like beds, couches, tables, and so on.

You can understand that the heat causes his flop because he tries to rub against to surface, moving his back and head up and down and back and forth.

• HE IS IN A CONFORTABLE POSITION

At times cats like to spend their time looking around while they are on their back. You see them rolling over while looking at things for no reason at all. Maybe they are about to sleep or just waking up.

Cats like to flop over on their back and relax for a while, stretching and enjoying the lazy time. For some reason, cats like to lay on their back in many circumstances, but especially when they are relaxed.

• MARKING TERRITORY

Another reason for cats flopping over is to mark territory; they do this while on their back, using their cheeks to place their scent around the house. Cats have scent glands in their cheeks, and they use to rub them on strategic places to mark their territory.

They can do this even outside, marking their turf. Often we see cats rolling out in the grass or the garden, balcony, and even dirt. This is one of the reasons.

• YOUR CAT WANTS TO BE PET OR SCRATCHED

Well, yes, this is the most common reason. I thought I would leave it in the last position. Cats flop over and show you the belly because they like you and want to have some special attention from you.

The first instant is to rub their belly, but not all cats would let you do it. As a matter of example, my cats would flop over and let me rub under his chin and cheeks. If I go to his belly, he will allow me only 30 seconds.

Some lucky cat owners have cats that enjoy belly rubs, but it is not common. It is more likely that they would bite or move away. Cats bellies are fluffy and soft, and pleasant to pet. Unfortunately, cats do not share the same view.

• GREETINGS

Have you ever come home from work or after a few hours. My cat uses to be so happy to see me that he would flop over. He would go on his back, and I was supposed to deliver pets and to scratch him, or else!

A cat can make this gesture because it is welcoming you and want to greet you. It is really a nice gesture containing a lot of affection.

• ITCHING

If a cat is itching in a place that cannot reach, he may roll over and try to scratch the spot by rubbing it on the floor. It is a less common reason for cats flopping. But it can happen.

• CATNIP OR OTHER PLANTS

Catnip is an herb capable of creating a natural excitement in cats, which makes them act differently. Cats that get in contact with catnip would roll on the floor, act excited and weird.

Catnip gives a sort of “feeling good” sensation in cats. There are substances inside catnip that replicate cat’s pheromones, which is a chemical that makes a cat feel good. Just one whiff of catnip makes a cat roll, rub, growl, and meow.

Not all cats are affected in the same way, some cats can have strong reactions, and some other cats can have smaller reactions.

WHY DOES MY CAT FALL OVER WHEN I PET HIM?

Then you may run into this other situation: you are petting your cat, and he falls over or rollover. In this case, your cat wants more scratches; he likes what you are doing and wants more.

It is a good sign, nothing to be worried about. For example, my cat does this when I scratch his back and the base of his tail. I see that his face is full of pleasure. Therefore you are doing the right thing.

In this situation, first, you start petting him, and then he flops over. Either way, he is still telling you that he loves you and wants to have more attention.

Try to learn what your cat likes in terms of scratches. If you understand what he likes, he may let you touch him more.

WHY DO CATS ROLL AROUND IN THE DIRT?

It may seem that cats are rolling around in the dirt because they want attention, or they are trying to do the social roll, as it is called when cats show you trust and affection.

However, when cats are rolling in the dirt, it is not necessarily a sign of respect, trust, or communication that they want attention and love. In other words, it is not a usual flop over.

The common reasons for them rolling in the dirt are the following:

• They try to leave their scent to mark territory
• They are itchy and wants to get a release from it
• Cooling down
• Heat
• Playing

CONCLUSION

A cat flops down in front of you in a sign of affection and trust. This is the most common reason. Certainly, as we went over, there are more reasons for this specific cat behavior.

I hope we were able to give you all the information you were looking for. If you have any questions or want to add anything, leave it in the comments below.