Arden Moore - The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Practical Insights & Proven Solutions for Your Feline Questions

ARDEN MOORE
ILLUSTRATED BY MATT AMBRE
FOREWORD BY NANCY PETERSON

The mission of Storey Publishing is to serve our customers by publishing practical information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment.

Edited by Lisa H. Hiley

Cover design and art direction by Mary Winkelman Velgos

Cover photo by Lynne and Marvin Carlton/2C imagery

Text design by Jessica Armstrong

Text production by Jennifer Jepson Smith

Illustrations Matt Ambre

Indexed by Susan Olason, Indexes & Knowledge Maps

2007 by Arden Moore

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Moore, Arden.

The cat behavior answer book : practical insights & proven solutions for your feline questions / Arden Moore ; illustrated by Matt Ambre ; foreword by Nancy Peterson.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-58017-674-3 (pbk. : alk. paper)

1. CatsBehaviorMiscellanea. I. Title.

SF446.5.M63 2007
636.8dc22

2007005183

I dedicate this book to my delightful friends Cindy Benedict, Flo Frum, and Dr. Jill Richardson; my pet-loving siblings Deb, Karen, and Kevin; my wonderful niece Chrissy and nephew Andy; my felines Callie and Murphy; and to the memory of Little Guy and my first cool cat, Corky.

Find out what makes a cat behave like a cat. Learn about feline senses, emotions, and instincts. Discover fascinating facts about cat intelligence, feral cats, and different breeds.

Our cats often seem to be trying to tell us something, if only we could figure it out. Learn about the power of purring, unravel the mysteries of meows, and hone your cat chat skills.

Our furry companions have many peculiar habits. Find out what the deal is with chewing on plastic, climbing the curtains, playing with water, and much more. And whats the fuss about catnip, anyway?

Litter box issues arise in most cat-owning households at some time or other and are often the most frustrating problem we face. Here are the facts about why cats avoid the box, and the solutions to a variety of situations.

Most cats lead a life of luxury, spending much of their day nibbling at kibble, snoozing, and taking care of their shiny coats. Find out why cats spend so much time grooming themselves, learn how to tame a tubby tabby, and take in the finer points of cat care.

Indoors is safest, but even if your cat goes outside, learn how to make him the happiest feline on the block with tips on toys, creating a stimulating indoor environment, and traveling. Also, did you know you can teach an old cat new tricks?

Many of my childhood memories involve cats. I regularly rescued strays, but my mother insisted that I find them homes. I often practiced walking on all fours and lapping up milk from a bowl a habit that no one has admitted sharing with me.

I finally got my first cat, Shasta, when I was an adult. Alas, my happiness was brief because my landlords insisted that Shasta depart. I mustered the courage to speak to them because, although Id only had her for a few days, I was smitten. My landlords and their beagle hated cats, so I promised they would never see Shasta because she would be kept indoors. I begged them to let me keep her, and they finally agreed.

Two years later I prepared to move across country. My landlords asked if I was taking Shasta; they were afraid I would leave her in the apartment. The only thing I left in the apartment was a decrepit old chair. Its springs were protruding when I moved in, but now the chair was in shreds evidence of my failure to provide a scratching post for Shasta.

I was 28 years old when Shasta and I arrived in California and 30 when I earned my credentials as a registered veterinary technician. I worked in a veterinary hospital for the next 12 years and brought home more cats. I also convinced my friends and family that their lives werent complete without a feline friend.

Over the years, Ive learned a lot about keeping cats healthy and caring for sick ones. I noticed that although veterinary clients and staff were likely to talk about annoying dog behaviors, discussions about cat behaviors were rarely part of the office visit. Cats have suffered as a result. They have been labeled as unfriendly, spiteful, mischievous, and worse. They have been abandoned, given away, brought to shelters, and euthanized, when all they have done was behave like cats.

I made many mistakes with my first cats because I just didnt know any better. I wish Id had this book to help me prevent, manage, and understand my cats behaviors. And although Im much savvier today, Ardens book has taught this old dog some new tricks about cat behavior. Arden and her team of animal-behavior experts will educate and entertain you page after page. Start reading your way to the best relationship you can have with your cat!

NANCY PETERSON , RVT
Feral Cat Program Manager,
The Humane Society of the United States
President, Cat Writers Association

Face the feline facts. Cats put the C in clever, the A in attitude, the T in tenacious, and the S in so what. Dont expect them to apologize or to grovel leave that to those gotta-please dogs. Cats pride themselves on being candid about what they want, when they want it.

Without a high-priced marketing team or a publicity-generating headline act in Las Vegas, cats have steadily and quietly overcome mans so-called best friend in terms of numbers and popularity worldwide. In the United States alone, cats outnumber dogs at 90.5 million to 74 million. People may say, My dog really loves me, but they absolutely gush when they declare, Im crazy about my cat and I think she adores me too.

We live for their full-throttle purrs, their warmth in our laps, and their amusing antics. Still, felines can be funny, fussy, frustrating, and even a bit freaky. You may wonder why your cat digs her claws into your lap while shes cuddling. Perhaps you are stymied by your Persians preference for using your pillow instead of her litter box. Whats the deal on hairballs, bringing home dead birds, and nibbling on earlobes, anyway?

You may be puzzled and perplexed as you try to figure out why cats do what they do. Thats why I wrote this book. Please regard