Okay, so, to start off, I need to declare that Marzipan is the queen of showing me her butt. She loves it. Can’t get enough of it. Every morning, noon, and night, there’s her butt. 90% of what is in my visual range throughout the average day is a close-up, HD view of her butthole.
To be honest though, I do sometimes encourage it. “Show everyone your butt!” I say to her when I have company over, like it’s some kind of neat party trick. She gawks at me, swooshes up her tail, and runs away. “GUYS LOOK AT HER BUTT, LOOK AT MY CAT’S BUTT, LOOK AT IT”, I scream, as everyone shifts uncomfortably in their seats. Wanna be invited to my next party?
Admittedly, I personally think it’s hilarious. But others may be left feeling confused and uncomfortable. Why is Mittens doing this, you may whisper to yourself, trying (and failing) to shift your gaze to anything other than they eye of your cat’s butthole as she presents it to you, her head twisted around to stare unblinkingly into your soul as she does so. Well, good news! There is a reason, and I’m here to explain away the mystery.
Body Language
In the immortal words of Ursula the Sea Witch, “Never underestimate the importance of body language!” Cats are creatures of subtlety, and while it is strange to be discussing subtlety while also discussing the act of literally sticking your butt in one’s face, everything a cat does is on purpose. You know, most of the time.
Where dogs tend to be more upfront and in-your-face, so to speak, cats are usually more reserved. They resort to their feline mystique for communication. You can tell when a cat is angry or upset by the way their fur stands on end, their low growls, and their flattened ears.
Cats are also comparably more reserved when it comes to showing affection, but make no mistake, they do show affection from time to time. Rubbing up against your legs, making biscuits on your belly, and giving you little kitty kisses by slow-blinking at you are all signs that your baby really does love/tolerate you.
Love Love Love
“Okay, so what does that have to do with my cat’s butt”, you may be asking. Well, for starters, let’s consider what it means when a cat has her tail raised all the way up, swishing it and twirling it around. An upright tail denotes that your kitty baby is feeling confident, happy, at ease, and friendly. Baby girl is feeling good and ready for affection!
Next, let’s think about how cats interact with each other’s… um… you know… butts. Like, specifically. You know how mommy cats lick their baby’s butts when they’re starting to figure out how to poop? Well, licking and grooming in general is a sign of affection for cats, and in the animal kingdom in general as well. And that goes for butt-licking, too. (I definitely had a moment just then, where, as I typed out that sentence, I looked down on myself and what I was doing with my life, and smiled.)
“So, what, does my cat want me to lick her butt or something?” Well, maybe not specifically. When your cat sticks her tush in your face, what she’s really doing is simply asking for attention and affirmation. When you pet your cat, she regards that as an act of being social and affectionate. So, sticking her bum right up in your space is a way of saying, “hey! Look at me! Look at my butt! Pay attention to me! Tell me I’m great!” And I mean, really, are we surprised by that? Are we surprised that a cat’s motivation for doing something is to get attention and positive reinforcement? Eeeexactly.
The Sacred Butt
You may also notice that your cat only shows you her butt, or she shows it to you the most. I’ve never really had much success in getting Marzipan to show anyone else her butt that much. Primarily because cats do what they want and never do as they’re told, and secondly because it’s sort of a “special” thing. You know, a mommy-daughter bonding moment. So, if your precious sweet dumpling has a habit of showing you her butt on the daily, congrats! She must really super duper like you! Consider yourself #blessed. Blessed by the butt.
All in all, we can deduce from this evidence that when a cat shows you her bum, she is not only asking for some lovin’, but also paying you the highest kitty compliment. Your cat is giving you a sight to behold, repaying her with snugs and rubs is necessary! So the next time your cat backs that thing aaaall the way into your space, be sure to thank her!
This is the most hilarious, adorable thing I’ve read. My cat has severe bronchitis so I’ve been down in the dumps then I found this and oh ma lawered. Made me laugh so much so thank you fellow cat person
You are most welcome, Erin! Sending love and healing vibes to your special babe! 🙂
Well, I hate to be the wet blanket here, but I found the article mildly disgusting. I remember all the way back when I was barely walking — you know, like age 2 — and I thought a cat’s tail was it’s “handle.”That’s the trouble with having a high I.Q.. When you get something wrong, it can be a real ”doozie!’
No worries, Dolores. Cat butts aren’t for everyone, but it definitely means they like you!
What should I do when cats show me their butts? Usually I just scratch their neck but then it gets awkward for me really fast LOL
When I go to bed my cat Luke is all up in my face licking and purring and I’m petting him.He finally lays down and we are face to face but, when i wake up his butt is in my face! After 65 years of having kitties i finally figured out why. He turns and faces the door. He is protecting me. He also sleeps on the man’s side of the bed. I like my reason.
Thank you for letting know what in the world was going on with one of my cats. He is the only one that does this, and I do not liked it. I always took like he wanted me to stick my nose up his butt, like they do to each other.. I said no way Marcelo. I kept thinking what kind of twisted mind you have got Marcelo ?? Now I know. thanks a bunch.. Its the last step after a series of kisses and rubbing and all that loving.. Thank you so very much
How funny! My tortoise shell cat is named Marzipan (Marz), too! She loves showing her butt.
I always thought it was because your cat is showing you how much they trust you. They are totally at your mercy with their back turned to you, butt I also see your point of view ?