My cat attacked me!

First off - touching a cat's belly can often trigger what is called bunny kicking... where they rake your with their back claws and yes, it can hurt. Cats often fight on their backs. They grab and hook in with their front claws and rip with the back ones. And just b/c a cat shows his belly doesn't mean that is an invitation to touch.... it's not the same as it is with dogs.

Also - try not to play with him with your hands... that means hands are toys... not a good thing.

By staring at him and making your eyes big.. you were signalling aggression to him. So he attacked you. Best to get a book on cat behavior.

I didn't know it was called bunny kicking, but I have to admit, I love to get bunny kicked. Within reason.

Daisy attacked me in a serious way when she first came to live with us. I still have a scar on my leg. I was playing a chase game with Speck (that's how the two of us play. It's officially called "Where's Speck? I'm going to get Speck".) I guess it scared Daisy. Speck (my hero!) rushed to my defense, bristling up like a Halloween cat and getting in between me and her. (Nobody hurts Mama! ) Now when I chase him, she sometimes joins in on the hunt.

I am glad your cat didn't get your eyes!

It depends a little on the cat. Some do enjoy some bellying rubs, but they may be younger and think you're wanting to play. I have a couple kittens like this - they love belly rubs but often they have playing on their mind (ok - so it's 99% of the time, they're kittens after all).

The difference is in the cat's body language. A cat that doesn't like it will often put their ears back and kick much harder. Stay away from these cats bellies.

As suggested, pick up a good book on cat behavior. I've noticed in all of the threads you've posted so far that it could benefit you to have some basic knowledge. Try your local library.

Jake likes it when I pet his underarms when he's on lying on his back, he stretches his arms and puts them up above his head...It's really funny. If I pet his belly he definitely starts to kick and bite gently, and may even get up and start play fighting with me and swatting my hand with his paws and attacking me. When I say attack, Jake always does it in play, never for real.. I think touching their belly also signals that you want to play fight..

FYI
http://www.messybeast.com/cat_talk2.htm

Ku Ku did it to me few times when I stared her back while she was agitating.
She scratched me on my face(both side of cheeks...ouch!).
Since then, I always look away and ignore her when she's in such a state.
She usually comes back to the sweet little kitty soon after, though

MysteryCat, when cats are confronted to an enemy, before attacking they will stare in the eyes. Therefore, if you look at your cat right in the eyes and make big eyes, especially if he is in the "attack mood", chances are he will jump right in your face because it's like a provocation or challenge to him. My cats would never do that to me, but new fosters, especially kittens when they are afraid, will do it even if you don't make the "big eyes" (just by staring at them a few seconds in the eyes). I've learned to be extra carefull until they first trust me and then learn what they are allowed to do and what they aren't.

As Addiebee said, the best way not to get scratched is to never play with your bare hands. Bare hands should be for petting your cats or everything else. If your hands are toys to him, he will make you pay for it one day or another. Plus, he will probably think that all hands are toys, including those of your guests, or your guest's children. There are really nice toys or even gloves you can wear. This way, he will know that when you wear the glove (and only when you wear it) it is allright to "attack" the hand. My cats are very respecful to me because even when they were really young and cute I would never let them play with my hands. They are not very harmful when they are babies, but it is so hard to change the habits of an older cat!

Lastly, I am sorry if my spelling is wrong sometimes. English is my second language and it is hard for me to write well.

I have to wonder if cats don't have ticklish tummies? Ghost will roll around with her tummy exposed until I can't resist it anymore, and as soon as I touch it she wraps her paws around my arm and gently bunny kicks while purirng up a storm. If I stop rubbing she looks at me and won't let me remove my arm.

I have some who allow tummy rubs, but never Mazy cat. Mazy loves to tease me by rolling over and showing her Yummy Tummy (SO soft and thick and furry with a double row of dots), but I know better than to try to touch.

And I second (or third or fourth) the others on

1) never ever using your (or feet) as toys, or to play, always have a toy in your hand, and

2) when your cat bites you or scratches you, the correct training response is to indicate it hurt (Ouch! No Charlie!) and then turn your back on her/him and ignore for a few minutes.

Also you want to learn his signals. Cats get over stimulated and forget who they are playing with or being pet by sometimes. Watch the ears (if they go back) the eyes, (if they get wild looking, especially if they stare at a particular part of your body) the tail (lashing) the skin (twitching or rippling on his back)

Then that is the time to stop, when he says no. You aren't doing him any favors by encouraging him to attack your hands like that. It's not funny or cute behavior. You are, actually, teaching him it's okay to bite and attack people. It may be okay with YOU, but it will not be okay with other people.

Do you want a cat who attacks anyone who comes into your house? One bite is all it will take for you to lose him, since I think he is not vaccinated. Please don't tease him like that, listen to his signals and respect them, and he will learn to respect you.