# Does your cat like getting its butt scratched? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 21, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471 "2005-04-21T20:32:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/21 "2005-04-22T09:44:38Z")
> [@gum](#): > > hehehehe šŸ™‚ > > My girl-cat acts like **Anastasaeon** ā€™s. Hmmā€¦ my cats are both female. I wonder if that has any effect? Both spayed, as well, but my oldest had gone into once before. And only one of my girls sticks her little bum in my face. As \*\*Indygrrl \*\* has mentioned, it is _not_ a pleasant thing. I try to scratch her behind her ears as much as possible. I can stand a little cat breath. Cat musk is a bit too _Chanel_ for me. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/22 "2005-04-22T09:45:45Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > but my oldest had gone into once before. And once, she even went into _heat_. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/23 "2005-04-22T09:48:45Z")
hehehehe at Chanel. [I got the ā€˜heatā€™ part] šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![twelvericepaddies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@twelvericepaddies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twelvericepaddies)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/24 "2005-04-22T13:04:47Z")
My vet taught me to rub/scratch the area in front of the tail on my two absolutely feral young cats - and she taught me to force pet them wrapped in a towel to create a relationship. It worked. Many cats only want their owner to do it and react badly. But some cats unfamiliar are confused and act funny - I go to places and do it to peoplesā€™ cats and the cat goes (happily) berserk and the owners get rabid that i have upset their cat - which is usu. expected to sleep, eat & look out the window and nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/25 "2005-04-22T14:13:52Z")
My cats all love it; it induces ā€œBum in the Airā€ - aka Elevator Butt. (My kitties do not use such vulgarities as the word ā€œbutt.ā€ Sniff.) ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/26 "2005-04-22T14:52:53Z")
It used to be that Booger the tomcat hated it, so Iā€™d do it just to annoy him. "Cept Iā€™ve done it to him so much now that heā€™s beginning to like it. I donā€™t know about Audrey, the calico Maine Coon. She avoids me like the plague, and Iā€™m fine with that. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/27 "2005-04-22T15:25:18Z")
Does anyone elseā€™s cat turn into a licking fiend if you scratch there? Two of mine start frantically licking the air or your arm or their own foot if you scratch them. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/28 "2005-04-22T17:11:52Z")
Quill (apt description of her tail) engages in the elevated posterior mode quite willingly. Iā€™ve sometimes rubbed the base of her tail so long that my arms start cramping. But thereā€™s a limit. Sheā€™ll be purring away, but the first sign of danger comes when the ears start turning backwards. The tail then starts switching back with tip looking like the rattler of a rattlesnake. Wise men would cease and desist, but I tread where fools go. Suddenly, sheā€™ll spins around wrapping her paws around my hand and starts nipping hard with her claws extended digging (sometimes she draws blood, sometimes not), while her rear legs pounding on my forearm with mock scratching. Then she jumps away, sits on floor with her back to turn to me; the tail and ears still showing offense. About five minutes later she jumps up for another treatment and the cycle starts all over again. My wife is both humored and disgusted by this behavior and routinely calls her ā€œKitty Slutā€. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Mint\_Julep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc79bd/32.png) [@Mint\_Julep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mint_Julep)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/29 "2005-04-22T17:27:06Z")
**Ashes, Ashes** , My Ralph loves to have his ears twisted and pulled. He also loves butt scratches and the kind of spanking-petting at his boodie. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/30 "2005-04-22T17:44:32Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > I know he likes it, but I have to indulge him in other ways. Cat butt is not a fun thing to have in your face. As if a cat owner has a _choice_! šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![melondeca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@melondeca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melondeca)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/31 "2005-04-22T17:45:10Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > One must be careful, of course, lest one anally fingerbang the feline I love this line and I wish I could use it but I canā€™t see encountering a situation in which it would be socially acceptable. šŸ˜• ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/32 "2005-04-22T21:19:25Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Does anyone elseā€™s cat turn into a licking fiend if you scratch there? Two of mine start frantically licking the air or your arm or their own foot if you scratch them. Yep. She does. Licks anything nearby. šŸ™‚ hehehe **user\_hostile**. My cat does the same. And she bites my hand too. Since sheā€™s a tiny cat, she has tiny teeth and nails, but the amount of blood coming from my arm sometimes is amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/33 "2005-04-22T21:51:04Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Does anyone elseā€™s cat turn into a licking fiend if you scratch there? Two of mine start frantically licking the air or your arm or their own foot if you scratch them. Yup, mine does. Some times, for fun, Iā€™ll scratch her till her tongue gets going, then Iā€™ll stop, the tongueā€™ll stop, Iā€™ll start back up, and the tongueā€™ll go right back out, licking the air. Sheā€™s so damned cute and helpless when that happens. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2005, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/34 "2005-04-22T22:54:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Dooku, I think your cats DO like it. > > Thatā€™s (iirc) a very sexual area for cats, which is why they stick their butts up for easy access when you scratch them there. In the name of science I tried this again last night. I can confirm that they most certainly do not like it. šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_On\_My\_Sleeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/77aa72/32.png) [@Heart\_On\_My\_Sleeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_On_My_Sleeve)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/35 "2005-04-23T00:41:16Z")
'member this little guy (8 pics down)? He liked the butt scratches. [Dave Spiegel](http://www.capefeare.com/rama.php) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/36 "2005-04-23T01:03:34Z")
You guys do realize you are all masturbating your cats, indirectly. Eeew. šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/37 "2005-04-23T01:09:12Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > You guys do realize you are all masturbating your cats, indirectly. Eeew. šŸ˜› You think thatā€™s bad, thereā€™s one Doper who perfomed analingus on a dog. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/38 "2005-04-23T02:32:31Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > You think thatā€™s bad, thereā€™s one Doper who perfomed analingus on a dog. I saw that thread. That was \*one \* Doper. These are a bunch of people, all doing the same thing. Hey Tuckerfan, havenā€™t gotten an e-mail from you in a while. Everything all right? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2005, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/39 "2005-04-23T04:54:51Z")
Seven cats in my household, all in favor of butt-scratching. Eddy gets so into it, he does a sort of shoulder-dive into whatever heā€™s standing on as his nether regions soar. Most of them adore belly rubs, too, although the real fanatic for belly skritches is my 23-year-old Quarter Horse, whoā€™ll bulge out his side at any available human, and paw in frustration if his invitation is ignored. ---
**Author:** ![Coulbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Coulbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coulbean)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2005, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471/40 "2005-04-23T05:55:33Z")
Perhaps, for unspayed female cats in heat, this could be considered masturbating your catā€¦ (or rather, teasing her) But in most cases itā€™s not. Itā€™s a condition called feline hyperethsia. You can read about it on page 2 of [this article](http://www.tufts.edu/vet/vet_common/pdf/petinfo/dvm/case_march2005.pdf). and [here](http://www.petplace.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=1991) My cat has thisā€¦ the skin rippling, tail swooshingā€¦ doesnā€™t like to be pet along his spine or the base of his tail. And the hallucinationsā€¦ Iā€™m always teasing him about chasing ghost mice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-your-cat-like-getting-its-butt-scratched/300471.md?page=3)