Why do dogs kick when people scratch their belly?
Dogs shake or kick their legs when you scratch them because of something known as the scratch reflex. It's a completely involuntary reaction, which explains why your dog may look as puzzled as you do when it starts to happen.
When you scratch or tickle your dog's belly, it irritates him, much the same way that the wind or a bug might. It activates nerves under his skin that are connected to his spinal cord and relays a message to his leg muscles to kick in an attempt to get rid of the irritant. Of course, you're the one both providing the "itch" and "scratching" it, so it's a completely pointless act.
More Info:
www.animalplanet.com
What are your thoughts on this subject?
18 Comments
Louise C.
Hubby used to do this to our dog Tasha until he found the certain spot where she would start kicking. We no longer have our beautiful dog, he tried with the cat, but that ended up badly.
Grant McIntosh
All animals love having their bellies tickled.....even tigers apparently. The problem with doing it to tigers, is that you've got to run like the clappers the moment you stop the tickling.
Karin Johansson
Merri Sillery, No there is only One correct answer.
Carl Belken
My experience with dogs is that if you do something they don't like, They'll let you know. If scratching their belly irritates them they would not let us do it.
Louella Wilson
John W Shreve, with some cats, it's not just the jaws. Years ago, one of my cats would do whenever he was on a lambskin that we had, as soon as he was patted.
Lawanta
John W Shreve, my cat loves being scratched under her chin 😽
Ken Putnam
Paul Greenslade,
sigh
No irritaion is involved
it is simply a reflex, like kicking your leg when the Doc taps your kneecap
Shirley Dutt
I think of it as ticklish. Lol.
Louise C.
John W Shreve, Will try that one . Thanks.
John W Shreve
Louise C., You can scratch some cats' jaws and they'll drool.
Paul Greenslade
It’s a reflex due to irritation. Way to write a bad question, robot Brian.
Corey Taylor
Maybe it only irritates Brian L when HIS owner does it!
Louella Wilson
Rubbing the belly of one of my cats as I slowly type this one handed. He's in ecstasy!
earlepg
As stated in the article, cats have similar reaction when their backs are touched at the base of the tail, their backs rise up. All of my cats, snd dogs, have reacted the same.
Player
Merri Sillery, it was badly worded as it doesn't mean it actively annoys a dog only activates the nerve that causes the kicking.