Jason E. Andersen

Bonus Fun Fact: The flabby and furry belly of a cat isn’t a beer gut, spare tire, or jelly roll. While I suppose you could call it those things, it is technically called a primordial pouch.

The feline primordial pouch is an area of excess skin, fat, and fur over the abdomen. Contrary to what you might think, the existence of these fur flaps has little to do with the cat’s body condition. All cats have them, including wild cats such as tigers. The purpose of the primordial pouch is somewhat a mystery, much like cats in general. The excess skin likely adds to mobility when running or adds some measure of protection to the cat’s soft and vulnerable innards during combat.

I don’t know about your experience but our feline, Louise Bean, doesn’t like having her bean bag — I mean primordial pouch — touched. No, not at all. No touchie!