24 Books every new and longtime cat owner should read

Unsplash

I never thought that one day I will have a cat. Those who know me for a long time will say that I'm a 100% dog person. And now, after two years with my dog and cat, I simply can't imagine my life without them. 

Whether you plan to bring home your first-ever cat, or you have been enjoying the company of one for a while now, you probably want to make life with your cat as happy and comfortable as possible. Here is a list of books I've already read and some I plan to get my hands on to help build a charming relationship with your feline.

Amy Shojai – Cat facts: The Pet Parent's A-to-Z Home Care Encyclopedia

How do I choose the right cat? What holistic help and preventive care should I give? Why do cats act the way they do, and what cat behavior indicates illness? What constitutes an emergency, and how/when can I safely treat my cat with home care and first aid? 

Celia Haddon – One hundred secret thoughts cats have about humans

"Humans actually believe they are superior beings. This delusion explains many of the silly behaviors that are so frustrating to us. Some of our best friends are human, but let's face it, as a species, they're limited."

Claire Bessant – The cat whisperer: The secret of how to talk to your cat

The book explains how cats function as cats, describes their likes, their dislikes, and their instinctive behavior. Enter a cat's world through its senses--sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste, and that indefinable feline sixth sense. 

Debra M. Eldredge - Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook

Whether you have a kitten or a senior cat, this resource helps you quickly identify potential problems, take proper steps in emergency situations, better understand diagnoses and treatment options, and communicate more effectively with your veterinarian. 

Dennis Turner & Patrick Bateson - The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behaviour 

Covering all types of cats from pampered pets to feral hunters, this completely revised new edition of The Domestic Cat shows how cats live and behave in a variety of circumstances and surroundings. 

E.M. Bard - Test your cat: The cat IQ test

You can find out how smart your cat really is by giving him or her the Cat IQ Test – a simple, four-part intelligence test. By observation and by using everyday household items, you will be able to measure your cat’s co-ordination, communication, social and reasoning powers.

GwenBailey – What is my cat thinking?

Why does your cat want to sleep all day? Does he view you as a sibling, kitten, or parent? Why does he attack your shoelaces, but leave the toys you buy him alone? Just what is your cat thinking? Understand what's really going on in your cat's cranium with this pet care classic.

Helena Dbalý & Stefanie Sigl – Playtime for cats: Activities and games for felines

Daily activities help safeguard cats well-being and physical and mental fitness, and work to prevent the development of behavioral abnormalities. This comprehensive guide offers a host of creative ideas that will add diversity and excitement to all play

Jackson Galaxy - Catification: Designing a happy and stylish home for your cat(and you!) 

Cat owners know the struggles of creating living spaces that are both functional and stylish for the owner and cat. The book walks readers through a step-by-step process of designing an attractive home that is also an optimal environment for cats.

Jackson Galaxy - Catify to satisfy: Simple solutions for creating a cat-friendly home

The book shows how to use home design tricks to address everyday cat care issues. Does your feline friend like to pee everywhere but in his or her litter box? Does your kitty have a thing for your furniture that has left your beloved couch in tatters? It will also show you how simple DIY design projects and hacks can help bring harmony back into your home

James R. Richards - ASPCA Complete guide to cats: Everything you need to know about choosing and caring for your pet

The one place to turn for up-to-date information on feline health and behavior, including detailed advice on feeding, grooming, veterinary care, litterbox training, and the special needs of kittens, older cats, and cats from a shelter.  

Jeff Lazarus - Catakism: A humorous purr-spective on humankind's obsession with cats

Does your cat own you? What has caused us to enthrone cats as the most popular pet on the planet? Why do we devote so much of our time and income to grooming, feeding, coddling, photographing, praising, providing laps for, and “entertaining” our cats?

John Bradshaw – Cat Sense: How the new feline science can make you a better friend to your pet

Cat Sense takes us further into the mind of the domestic cat than ever before, using cutting-edge scientific research to dispel the myths and explain the true nature of our feline friends. 

John Bradshaw & Sarah Ellis – The Trainable cat: A practical guide to make life happier for you and your cat

Full of training tips and exercises - from introducing your cat to a new baby to helping them deal with visits to the vet - The Trainable Cat is the essential cat bible for cat owners and lovers.

Karen Pryor – Getting Started: Clicker training for cats

Train a cat? Yes, you can! Clicker training can improve your cat's health, activity, and attitude toward life. It can make your cat happier and more affectionate.

Kate C. - How to be owned by a cat: Simple Action plan for first-time cat owners who have no idea what they are getting into

Are you bringing home your first cat but feels unsure because you have little experience with these adorable yet mystique felines? This book is designed especially for first time cat-slaves with an easy to follow step-by-step guide. 

Lauren Finka - The cat personality test: How well do you really know your cat?

You could start to understand whether your cat is really enjoying all the attention you lavish upon it and decipher just how happy they are. With tips and tricks for any personality type, this book will help you to meet your cat’s specific wants and needs.

Marilyn Krieger – Naughty no more: Change unwanted behaviors through positive reinforcement

This easy-to-read beginner's guide tells you how to teach your cat to: sit and stay and not dart out of doors; not scratch the furniture; have stress-free introductions to new cats; stay off the table and counters; get along better with you, your guests, and other cats; have a stress-free association with both the cat carrier and the trip to the veterinarian; do tricks and much more!

Pam Johnson-Bennett - Think like a cat: How to raise a well-adjusted cat – not a sour puss

This book is a must if you want to learn more about your cat and what you can do to strengthen and enjoy your relationship with each other.

Pippa Mattinson & Lucy Easton – The happy cat handbook

Breeds and types, advice on rescuing versus buying, feeding, training, sleeping and play, keeping your cat healthy, grooming, the pros and cons of indoors and outdoors cats, caring for senior cats, dealing with destructive behavior and aggression – the book covers it all.

Sarah Brown - The Cat: A Natural History

Of all the domesticated species, cats have enjoyed the most complex relationship with people - one that still leads to arguments about whether you can truly call the cat asleep by your fire tame. 

Suzanne Delzio & Cindy Ribarich – Felinestein: Pampering the genius in your cat

Felinestein includes 100 games and activities, some for every type of owner and every personality of cat, that will get your cat exploring, thinking, and making decisions. 

Vicky Halls - Catconfidential: The book your cat would want you to read

Filled with fascinating case studies, amusing anecdotes, and practical advice, Cat Confidential explores the hidden relationships between cats and people and reveals the innermost secrets of the feline psyche.

Yuki Hattori – What cats want: An illustrated guide for truly understanding your cat

With nineteen bones and twelve muscles, cats' tails have countless ways of expressing their emotions. What Cats Want is here to uncover the meaning behind every movement, and the motivation beneath every quirk.

 

Post a Comment

0 Comments