Cats will often show you their belly as a sign of trust, as it makes them vulnerable. Some cats love to have their bellies rubbed, others view it as a breach of trust and will shred you, even though they flopped over. If it's a cat you don't know, the best thing is to just reach down and scratch the top of their head around the ears. If you want to see how far you can push it, give them scritches under the chin, move down to the upper chest, and inch your way lower to see how far they're okay with going.

With my cat, it's an invitation to play fight.
So I put on an oven mitt, tickle her belly and she clamps down on it and tries to kill it.
But she doesn't extend her claws or actually bite down, and when I remove my hand she goes back to the position on her back. Which tells me she seems to enjoy it.

Blood (yours)

My cat does this for belly rubs... Her software is bugged and doesn't have a limit on belly rubs. Also to scratch her back on the carpet. She will also let me spin her like a beyblade while doing this for some reason and keep laying on her back for more belly rubs

Attention. Purely you just talking to him and staying around him is enough usually.

Some head and ear scratches might also be acceptable.

Belly rubs might be interpreted as an attack.

Touch but don’t touch.

My cat will allow brief chest pets. NOT belly rubs!!!

Mostly I think she just wants me to stop walking and give her my full attention. She flops right at my feet. Usually while I'm carrying something.

Sometimes she'll let me touch her paws too, NOT in a grabby way, just with my fingertips.

(She normally allows face scritches and back pets but this position isn't conducive.)

And sometimes I just take a few seconds to tell her good things about herself, like she's smart and pretty and brave and strong.

Fortunately, cats are cool with the attention only lasting a few minutes.

Showing their belly means they trust you. If they let you rub their belly they really trust you.

Try getting a feather on a stick type toy and pulling it out when he does this. I'd say he wants to play, but doesn't want to engage your actual huge ape body when it comes down to it. In any case, it's a sign he considers you his human. He's really a beautiful cat.

It depends. It's like when a human says "I love you." In some cases it's time to blow them a kiss and cook them some crepes. In other cases it's time to double-check your safeword and tighten the straps.

If they lie like that peacefully and contently then it's because they find it comfortable.

If they're active and trying to get your attention, but don't want pets, then it's because they want to play.

My cat does this when she’s happy. She’ll fall asleep like that with a literal little smile on her face in the sun and when I see it I explode because it’s so damn cute. She’s also an old girl so I have to kinda make sure she’s breathing these days and didn’t literally go belly up and give up the ghost on me 😭😭

hes telling you he likes you and is happy youre here and doing whatever youre doing.

not all cats showing belly want belly touched, simple as.

i think it means they want attention, when my cat did this she wanted me to pet her or go to her so she would have me follow and show she wants to go out or have some food.

I assumed she just knew how cute she is and deliberately wanted to be even more cute so i would have to come to her, which i always did precisely for that reason.

Put on a thick leather work glove and wrestle him.

Violence

Belly rubs and blood. Did you try slow blinking at him before touching? Maybe he wants you to touch him but is nervous.

It’s a trap!!

It means the cat is bored

Every cat is different. One of ours demands belly rubs like this.

Another one cannot tolerate being touched in any way. You go to pet her and she's like:

https://youtu.be/8DajVKAkL50#t=25s

Belly rubs :D

Attention, pets, or possibly play time. Try a string or wand toy?

He wants attention. One of mine does this (including the repeated walking around and flopping dramatically in my line of sight) but only wants a cheek scritch. Everything else is off limits. Sometimes they also want you to play with them (if you have cat toys). But almost never do they want a belly rub.

My old cat used to love belly rubs, and would never attack. Miss her so much.

My new cat doesn’t offer. I don’t think she understands the concept. She was a stray and still pretty young. Maybe she will grow into it.

Head cup and little scratch behind ear. Quality trust time, ignore incidental cat tum for now.

He’s bored and wants to play.

If pets aren't what he wants because he runs off if you get close, try laying down next to him, as close as he'll let you, and imitate him. Curiosity may get the best of him and he may come over to you and scope you out!

Belly rubs

To feel the weight of their sins on their bellies instead of their backs.

Like a weighted blanket

It's comfy

One of my cats is not a lap cat on most ocassions but does actually want belly rubs. I just have to join them on the floor if he flops over like that.

The other doesn't like belly rub but will try to sleep on me whenever I sit down.

So, depends on the cat!

Never had cats, but is that not a playful pose? At least, I believe they do this when they want another cat to play with them.

Of course, there's the trouble that you're not a cat, so can't really wrestle with them like another cat would. But yeah, maybe you can poke at them or next to them, so they can avoid your 'attacks' as a game.

Mine wants belly rubs. This goes on for a bit until he decides you are a chew toy now.

Belly trap!!