bad news, your dog probably wants to kill you.
study shows that dogs understand their owners… but they don’t care.
You are reading: Best books about cats
Which alternate universe are these headlines from? this one, something like that. look, substitute the word ‘dog’ for ‘cat’ and tada! you get a real headline written about cats.
this is a problem. Despite an increase in our understanding of cat minds and behavior, cats continue to get a bad rap. Regardless of what a study finds, an anti-cat mentality seems to persist, especially in the media.
“The sporadic popularity of anti-cat literature also seems to reflect a latent animosity toward felines,” comments James Serpell of the University of Pennsylvania in the edited volume, The House Cat: The Biology of Its Behavior. “the little cartoon book entitled One Hundred and One Uses of a Dead Cat (bond, 1981) became a worldwide bestseller and sold over 600,000 copies in the first few months after publication… it is hard to imagine a hundred and one uses of a dead dog… achieving the same levels of popularity.”
cats deserve better.
With considerable help from the accomplished Mikel Delgado (@mikel_maria), certified feline behavior consultant, blogger extraordinaire, and Ph.D. candidate in psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, we compiled the best books for cat lovers in his gift list. our list features four sections with academic texts, general introductions to cat behavior, a section on play and environmental enrichment, and a final section on learning and training. I can assure you that none of these books would be foolish enough to suggest that your cat wants to kill you.
Academic-minded reading Studies of cat behavior and cognition are uncovering much about our supposedly mysterious companions. each book is packed with details your cat would want you to know.
feline sense: how new feline science can make you a better friend to your pet john bradshaw @petsandus “you could buy a dozen books from the many cat whisperers, cat gurus and therapists of cats that exist in our modern feline-obsessed world, but their accumulated wisdom probably won’t help you understand your cats: where they come from, what they want from you, and where they might go if we’re not careful, as well as the sense of the cat. the observer
Couldn’t agree more. Cat Sense is the latest book to dispel myths and explain the true nature of our feline friends. I also snuck it into last week’s post, the best books for dog lovers because people sometimes live with cats and dogs!
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the behavior of the domestic cat, 2nd edition john bradshaw, rachel casey, and sarah brown @petsandus drrachelcasey Drawing heavily on published studies of cat behavior and cognition, this comprehensive book addresses what it means to be a cat. Twelve chapters dive into all aspects of the cat: its sensory abilities, feeding, hunting and predation, social behavior and communication, relationships with humans, and more. an incredibly helpful section explains that behavior problems are best divided into behaviors that are essentially normal for cats but unwanted by owners, and behaviors that are actually problems for cats, ie influenced by pathology. An important and compelling read.
The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behavior, 3rd Edition Dennis Turner and Patrick Bateson, eds. In this edited volume, various experts weigh in on the cat in human societies. The book addresses cat behavior, biology, and welfare, as well as how cats are perceived and treated in different environments. sections explore both their pursuit and bowing as well as the welfare issues of cats in shelters. one section even discusses the recent history of cat breeding and exhibiting. Comprehensive reading aimed at specialists and general readers.
Cat Behavior: The Predatory and Social Behavior of Domestic and Wild Cats Paul Leyhausen First published in German in 1956, this is the first scientific treatise on cat behavior. Delgado describes this as guiding cat ethology, with a strong emphasis on its predatory and social behaviors. I need to get my hands on this one.
See Also: Randy Wayne White – Book Series In Order
the cat: its behavior, nutrition and health linda case @sciencedogblog here you will find “full coverage of man’s other best friend”, packed with details on the domestication, breeding and genetics of cats. such as health care, disease prevention and nutrition for life. I have the case dog version of this book, and now I have to use the program and get the cat version.
Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Shelter Staff, ASPCA Emily Weiss, Heather Mohan-Gibbons, and Stephen Zawistowski, eds. @aspca @aspcapro I included this book in the list of the best books for dog lovers, and it is also a must read for cat lovers. I was thrilled to learn that veterinary behaviorist Meghan E. herron recently called it “long overdue” and “a must read for anyone who works with shelter animals and will be of interest to those with an interest in shelter animals or animal behavior in general.”
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introduction to your cat slim mikel helped completely with the next two sections (thanks!). she describes these books as easy to use and accurate in what they tell us about cat behavior. she enjoys her summaries of each book; I did it!
what is my cat thinking? the essential guide to understanding pet behavior gwen bailey this sweet little book is all about body language, features lots of charming images of cats, provides solid descriptions of feline body language and what it means: does your cat enjoy of caresses? Do your cats fight or play? what’s all that cheek rubbing?
Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well Adjusted Cat–Not a Sour Cat pam johnson-bennett @thinklikeacat this book is a classic, easy-to-use guide to cat care and behavior covers everything from setting up your home to make your cat safe and fun to solving common behavior problems (from the litter box to scratching furniture).
game time & environmental enrichment if the game was like porn and you knew it when you saw it. more than we expect, playing in cats is not easy, and to top it off, dogs and cats do not play in the same way. This section addresses play and environmental enrichment, two areas that greatly affect a cat’s mental and physical health and well-being. here’s more from skinny:
Felinestein: Pampering Your Cat’s Genius Suzanne Delzio and Cindy Ribarich I like this book because it was one of the first to really address the cat’s needs for environmental enrichment and mental stimulation. has activities for owner and cat to do together (including trick training and an “IQ test” to see if your cat is a “cat” or just a “lazy” guy).
Cat Playtime: Feline Games & Activities helena dbalý and stefanie sigl a truly fantastic book on cat enrichment, with beautiful photos and tips for modifying your cat’s environment, with a nice emphasis on training and my favorite… food puzzles! Lots of information on how to play with cats, as well as how to provide enrichment that meets all sensory needs.
birding for cats: an indoor feline entertainment guide kit and george harrison a book for cat and bird lovers. is really a guide to installing window feeders and birdbaths to attract birds to your windows, aiming to provide hours of entertainment for your indoor kitties! it’s a lovely little book.
See Also: Classic Books Bucket List: 25 of the Best Must-Read Novels
catification: designing a happy and stylish home for your cat (and you!) jackson galaxy and kate benjamin @jacksongalaxy this book is really aimed at the person who doesn’t want the cat on the rug beige tree in your house but you still want to create a fun environment for your cat. it’s about much-needed vertical space, scratching options and cozy spots all cats need. no more excuses! looking like you “live with cats” doesn’t have to be ugly anymore.
the cat house bob walker bob walker is something of an og of catification: the cat house documents the house he and frances mooney built in san diego to be the best house cat play area, with catwalks, floor-to-ceiling scratching posts and jungle gyms galore. the house has since been sold, but the book that celebrates it remains.
learning & training what if cats are learning all the time? (is it so). what if you could help cats learn the things you want? (you may). What if training could improve your relationship with your cat? (can).
cat clicker training karen pryor @kpct what is the only way to communicate with giraffes, lions, bears, dogs or cats? Clicker training is a common way to communicate with species of all sizes, and it even works with humans. teach cats to come when called, to play without biting and more. Check out this clicker training video for cats from the league of silly friends.
Kitten Training for Kids Sarah Whitehead Delgado describes this book as “a delightful little book for parents and children to read together. covers the development, socialization, and training of cats, and extensively covers basic cat behavior. This book also guides parents on children’s responsibilities in caring for cats and how parents should supervise. cute pictures of body language and activities.”
naughty no more! marilyn krieger @thecatcoach “this is an easy to read guide to clicker training your cat, both for parlor tricks and to help solve behavior problems” , says thin.
the trainable cat, coming soon! john bradshaw and sarah ellis @petsandus & @sarahlhellis “why would anyone want to start training their cat? The answer is: because it’s a sure way to enrich the bond between cat and owner, while at the same time helping the cat’s life run much smoother. And it’s not hard at all: Contrary to their reputation as inscrutable loners, cats are easy and fun to train.” This book hits the scene in July 2016, and we’re looking forward to it!
Final Thought: Although I linked to Amazon, Patricia McConnell made a great comment on her blog on the other side of the leash: It’s worth checking out your local bookstore or even asking them to order a title for you. .
photo: fred guillory flickr creative commons license.