The reason why pet dogs love belly rubs

Who could possibly pass by a lovely puppy rolling over and asking for a belly rub? But why do dogs love it so much when humans scratch their bellies?

Dr. Margaret Gruen, an animal behavior expert at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, explained that dogs roll over "“to indicate submission.” " Dogs roll over especially when they are playing or when they are with someone they feel comfortable with.

When dogs roll completely over and expose their bellies, it means they feel very comfortable with the person stroking their belly.

On the other hand, there are cases where they roll over to show submission, in which case behaviors such as tucking their tail between their legs or constantly licking their lips appear. When dogs expose their bellies in a sign of submission, it does not mean they want their belly scratched, and scratching the belly in such situations is not appropriate behavior. Dr. Gruen advises that in these situations, you should kneel to be at a similar height to the dog and call the dog to come to you rather than leaning toward the dog.

However, in the case of other types of pets such as cats, the behavior of lying on their backs and exposing their bellies has a different purpose than in dogs. While a cat exposing its belly can indicate comfort or trust, it should not be assumed to mean they want their belly touched.

However, forcing a dog to roll over to scratch its belly is inappropriate, as it could trigger the dog's aggression, or the dog may not want to roll over due to health issues.