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The belly rubs that we give to our pets are fun and adorable, but there's more to it than that. When an animal presents its belly to you, it represents a sign of submissiveness or trust. Depending on your relationship with a dog, showing their tummy either means that they trust you and want a belly rub, or that they're submitting to you (in which case you should approach them in a friendly but respectful manner). Cats usually show their bellies as a defensive gesture, so most will only tolerate a brief belly rub before attacking.

If you've got an adorable picture of a belly rub, please share it with us below!

#1

This Guy Loves Belly Rub

This Guy Loves Belly Rub

imgur.com Report

#2

She Fell Over With That Face The Moment I Started Rubbing Her Belly

She Fell Over With That Face The Moment I Started Rubbing Her Belly

iReddt Report

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#10

Hedgehog Gets A Belly Rub

Hedgehog Gets A Belly Rub

kpaxton1 Report

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LeanneNotacooper
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tickling their "skirts" gently when curled up relaxes them enough to uncurl incase you need to check for injuries

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#11

One More Belly Rub May Result In A Hand Attack, But For Now, Simon Is Giving Out Hugs And Kisses

One More Belly Rub May Result In A Hand Attack, But For Now, Simon Is Giving Out Hugs And Kisses

colleenpettit Report

#12

Sloth Getting A Belly Rub Like A Boss

Sloth Getting A Belly Rub Like A Boss

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#13

My Dog's Face Every Time I Rub Her Belly

My Dog's Face Every Time I Rub Her Belly

Nosuo Report

#14

Pet Rat Loves Belly Rubs

Pet Rat Loves Belly Rubs

pet-gifs.com Report

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RoxanneHughes
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My rat would flop over next to my hand so I would rub is belly. It's a sign of great trust for them...opening up their most vulnerable spot.

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#18

My Cat Smiles Like Crazy When You Rub Her Belly

My Cat Smiles Like Crazy When You Rub Her Belly

Always_Jolly Report

#19

Rolling In The Grass And Getting A Belly Rub Is Just Too Much - Look At This Smile

Rolling In The Grass And Getting A Belly Rub Is Just Too Much - Look At This Smile

DDA1 Report

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LeanneNotacooper
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you seen my other ear? I know I put it around here somewhere but they keep making out I'm going crazy

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#21

I Bet You Didn't Know You Needed This Adorableness In Your Life Until Now

I Bet You Didn't Know You Needed This Adorableness In Your Life Until Now

JustAGirlOnImgur Report

#23

The Belly Rub Face

The Belly Rub Face

jordanundead Report

#24

Lion Cub Cuddles

Lion Cub Cuddles

Lobo2ffs Report

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#25

Belly Rub Bliss

Belly Rub Bliss

neon.mamacita Report

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#26

Toby Gets A Belly Rub

Toby Gets A Belly Rub

tar101 Report

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#27

That Tickles

That Tickles

Josh Norem Report

#28

Fox Getting Her Belly Rubbed

Fox Getting Her Belly Rubbed

cutestpaw.com Report

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#29

Warm Sun + Belly Rub = Corgi Heaven

Warm Sun + Belly Rub = Corgi Heaven

dyloceraptor Report

#30

Cat Enjoying Belly Rub

Cat Enjoying Belly Rub

Paul Mutton Report

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#31

The Joy Of The Belly Rub

The Joy Of The Belly Rub

Eileen Report

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#32

Homeless Dog Waiting For Love

Homeless Dog Waiting For Love

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#33

Lilly From An Animal Shelter In Germany ( Tierheim Laage) Smiles When You Rub Her Belly

Lilly From An Animal Shelter In Germany ( Tierheim Laage) Smiles When You Rub Her Belly

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HarmonyRose
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lilly should come live with me and my little D in Alaska!! <3 sweet shelter pup!!

#34

Merlin Enjoying A Good Old Belly Rub

Merlin Enjoying A Good Old Belly Rub

TheIronyMaiden Report

#36

Loki Looking For Belly Rubs

Loki Looking For Belly Rubs

Selbe Report

#37

I'm Getting A Relaxing Belly Rub And Someone Suddenly Shows Up With Pizza

I'm Getting A Relaxing Belly Rub And Someone Suddenly Shows Up With Pizza

johnjacobjinglehymer Report

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#38

Oreo Bunny Is Getting A Belly Rub

Oreo Bunny Is Getting A Belly Rub

Sada-Chan Report

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CarolinevanHouwelingen
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bunnies don't like to be laid on their backs. The reason they stay quiet is because they kinda fake death.

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#39

Belly Rubs

Belly Rubs

Camilla Bottelberghe Report

#40

All In!

All In!

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#41

Belly Rubs

Belly Rubs

Elora Ghea Report

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#42

Seth Loves To Have His Belly Rubbed

Seth Loves To Have His Belly Rubbed

Nathan Adams Report

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#43

Enjoying His Tummy Rub

Enjoying His Tummy Rub

Matthew C. Wright Report

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LeanneNotacooper
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm exhausted from walking, my legs are tiny & I'm laying here waiting to be carried but everyone thinks I want a tickle!

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#45

Joy = Laying Under A Tree + Tennis Ball In Mouth + Belly Rub

Joy = Laying Under A Tree + Tennis Ball In Mouth + Belly Rub

jonp9576 Report

#46

Belly Rubs

Belly Rubs

Erik Symes Report

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#49

Sometimes You Fall Asleep Mid Tummy Rub

Sometimes You Fall Asleep Mid Tummy Rub

JessMess86 Report

#50

Bella Enjoys A Belly Rub

Bella Enjoys A Belly Rub

Christopher Cotrell Report

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#51

My Dog's Favorite Thing... A Belly Rub

My Dog's Favorite Thing... A Belly Rub

Sparkys Girl Report

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#52

I Love Belly Rubs

I Love Belly Rubs

Jeremy Sichmeller Report

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#53

That Madness In His Eyes

That Madness In His Eyes

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#57

Belly Rub Face

Belly Rub Face

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#58

I Don't Like The Vet But When I Go I Demand Belly Rubs From Doc!

I Don't Like The Vet But When I Go I Demand Belly Rubs From Doc!

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#60

Belly Rub

Belly Rub

Jodi Ann Trotta Report

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#63

She Loves Her Belly Rub!

She Loves Her Belly Rub!

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#64

Belly Rub In The Grass

Belly Rub In The Grass

Laura Report

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#65

Belly-rub Zeus

Belly-rub Zeus

Sarah Mulholland Report

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#66

She Loves Her Chest Rubbed

She Loves Her Chest Rubbed

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#67

Belly Rub Happiness!

Belly Rub Happiness!

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#70

Sasha And Misha Waiting For Their Belly Rubs

Sasha And Misha Waiting For Their Belly Rubs

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#71

#21 Maza Gets A Belly Rub :d

#21 Maza Gets A Belly Rub :d

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#72

Chispita Sacando Su Lengua De La Emoción.

Chispita Sacando Su Lengua De La Emoción.

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#73

This Is How I Beg For Belly Rubs In 3...2...1...

This Is How I Beg For Belly Rubs In 3...2...1...

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#74

A Good Belly Rub To Fall Asleep :)

A Good Belly Rub To Fall Asleep :)

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#75

She Loves The Belly Rubs

She Loves The Belly Rubs

Nikki Report

#76

Olive "assuming The Position"

Olive "assuming The Position"

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#77

Mr. Bivens Just Chillin'

Mr. Bivens Just Chillin'

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#79

It's Monday... Pet Me...

It's Monday... Pet Me...

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#80

Begging For A Belly Rub.

Begging For A Belly Rub.

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ScualeSthillier
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about the meerkat ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bo2FcrKtUA

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#81

Mochi Fell Asleep After Her Belly Rub

Mochi Fell Asleep After Her Belly Rub

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#82

Waiting....!

Waiting....!

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#83

Pip Overcome By Belly Rub

Pip Overcome By Belly Rub

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#84

Asking For Belly Rub

Asking For Belly Rub

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#85

Rub, Rub, Rub... And She Goes Like This.

Rub, Rub, Rub... And She Goes Like This.

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#86

Tama's Favourite Sleeping Position. Always Ready For A Belly Rub!

Tama's Favourite Sleeping Position. Always Ready For A Belly Rub!

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#87

Ziggy Loves Belly Rubs.

Ziggy Loves Belly Rubs.

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#88

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