We had a family of 5 Cats, father, mother, and three kittens. Every one of them had petting preferences that we learned. Mama Bear loved full body rubs, the rougher the better. The Big Daddy cat liked a few light scratches, but he felt that affection was humiliating, especially in front of other cats. The kittens always loved lots of pets, their ears, their chins, their backs, etc.

Two of the cats loved their tummies rubbed, one was indifferent, and two disliked it intensely.

Everybody loved to get scratched on their backs at the base of their tail.

[–] faythofdragons@piefed.social 21 points 1 month ago

My longhair absolutely loves getting her belly brushed. She'll purr and make air biscuits while I do it.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Careful with the bellys. Some cats really like being pet on their bellys, until SUDDENLY THEY DON'T.

[–] BarneyPiccolo@lemmy.today 27 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

We definitely knew which ones loved it. I was walking past the bed, where Kitty Bear was dozing, as as I passed, she let out a little "Brrrrp!" I stopped and looked at her, and said "Well, Hello!" And she flipped over on her back and showed me her belly for a rub.

And you could rub Mama Bear as hard as you wanted, for as long as you wanted, anywhere on her body, and when you'd stop, she'd demand more.

Charlie was cool with it, for a while, but he wouldn't get snarly about it, he'd just walk away.

The others didn't like it, at all, and let you know it. Again, not with claws or teeth, but it was clear.

They were all very sweet, and were never mean to their human family.