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

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.

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.

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.

Depends on there she’s laying. If she gets up on a table and does this she will absolutely bite, if she does this at my feet of laying next to me she wants very slow, gentle belly rubs starting from her chest and only going about 2/3 of the way down her belly. I lost track of how many tries it took to get it right.

It’s a trap!!

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!

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.

Belly rubs

I’m more curious, do y’all have a green carpet? Am I about to find out I’m cllourblind? Is this outdoors?

He wants you to chase him

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.