This form of behavior is most often caused because your cat is not in the mood for a belly rub. Learning to read his body signals will go a long way to prevent future "attacks" by your cat. For more insights into causes and ways of discouraging painful scratching and biting, read this article.
What NOT to Do
- Don't jerk your hand away or you may be seriously scratched.
- Never shake a cat, hit or spank him. Shaking can cause internal injuries much like "shaken baby syndrome," and as one forum member said, "All the cat knows is the human they love hit him, and he doesn't know why!"
Training a cat to stay off forbidden areas is possible, but will take some patience and creativity on your part. Read Countering Counter-Surfing for some ideas.
What NOT to Do
Never throw a cat off a counter; you could inflict serious injury to him. If he is in immediate danger (close to a gas stove), approach him without alarming him, then pick up up and gently place him on the floor.
Almost all other behavioral problems can be corrected by the three methods discussed at the beginning of this article. For specific problems or unusual situations, see the Behavior/Training resources (linked on the left, under "Articles and Resources"), or post your questions to the About Cats Forum. I guarantee it; you'll get plenty of help!
