Question:
Our 6-1/2-year-old domestic shorthaired male cat, Boomer, was born to a stray under the porch of our house. He has begun to exhibit an interesting behavior -- when we are watching television in the evenings he will lie down on the floor between us and the television, roll over onto his back and loll there as if to say, "Admire me!" He obviously trusts us because he is freely showing us his belly.Can you tell us why he might be doing this?.
C. & P.W., Wappingers Falls, NY Apr 10, 2005
Answer:
Boomer is probably doing his relaxed belly-up display to get your attention, and may be soliciting play and wondering why you and your husband are just sitting there staring at nothing all night. Some cats do watch television or use the top of the set as a place to warm themselves. But most cats, I'm sure, find our behavior quite bizarre when we are sitting still and staring at a television or a book. Cats often act up when a person is sitting quietly and meditating, especially when we're involved in a book or newspaper. Many cats want to sit on the print (clearly seeking attention); on occasion, cats are mightier than the pen, and get the distracted reader to pet them rather than push them away.
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