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Cat Whisperer: Why Cats Do What They Do--And How To Get Them To Do What You Want (2013)

by Mieshelle Nagelschneider(Favorite Author)

3.65 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1299214355 (ISBN13: 9781299214354)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Bantam

review 1: This is a manual on cat behavioural issues. First get the cat checked by a veterinarian, to ensure that there is no physical cause such as sore teeth or an infection. After that try thinking like a cat and seeing the world from their perspective. For instance, moving a new adult into a house can cause problems until the cats learn to consider the newcomer among Humans Who Are Not A Threat. If the new adult provides food, this will help.A Vet Tech and animal surgery administrator, Mieshelle moved full time to caring for cats. An owner may be making an obvious mistake such as providing no stimulation in the home for a cat... or placing a litter box next to the food dish... or placing only one food dish or litter box, or two in the same room, where there are two competing cat... mores. If the main issues are addressed behaviour will quickly improve. Mieshelle says that her clients have been crying out for years that 'there is nothing there for cat owners'. In fact guides to cat behavioural problems have been produced, such as 'Cats On The Couch' and 'Cat Confidential', with similar content. She advises against anthropomorphic interpretation of feline behaviour; physical punishment will not be understood by an animal, which will then see its owner as threatening and unpredictable.The author digresses to the history of cats and compares them with dogs. Kittens should be socialised to people within the first few weeks of life, and to other cats as early as possible. The kitten learns appropriate play from mother and littermates: claws hurt! A male cat patrols a larger territory than a female, inside a house as well as outside. The human's couch or bed may be a neutral zone, but they all want their own area. Introducing a new cat may be difficult; Mieshelle provides detailed instructions gradually to introduce a newcomer, relying heavily on purchased scent pheromones. Neutering and spaying reduces health issues and unpleasant behaviours as well as preventing unwanted kittens.I was pleased that the book stresses providing the right environment for cats. We now insist that wildlife parks give animals enough space, a suitable environment and stimulation, so we should not cage a cat in an apartment without adapting the home to its needs. Cats require places where they can feel safe, such as the top of a wardrobe or a cardboard box which people cannot see into; something to use their claws on such as a sisal scratcher (or polystyrene, which they love to sit on), toys that let them mimic hunting, and my cats' favourite, a dish of dry food in an unexpected location, which has them going around checking as for a mousehole. Water is ideally in a separate location to food or litter box, as a wild cat does not want to drink contaminated water. Litter boxes must be cleaned frequently; you prefer to use a clean bathroom, and so does your cat. At least one box per cat, in separate rooms.The author could have given us more stories from her experience of clients' cats; often she is talking generally, while specific examples tend to be helpful to pet owners. I found it sad that she needed to give a lengthy explanation of how best to play with a cat; apparently some people have no idea of how cats hunt and play, and think that dangling something in its face will work. Behaviour-modifying drugs, such as sedatives, are available but it is famously hard to get cats to take pills and a cat wandering around zonked is more likely to be harmed and to fail to show affection.By improving its life the author hopes to remove the need for drastic treatments or abandoning a cat, and to make the life of both cat and owner much happier. The language and style are more suited to adult readers than young people and there are few illustrations, which could be helpful in showing cat body language. Pet owners will find it helpful in overcoming problems or just an interesting read.
review 2: Mieshelle Nagelschneider is the real deal; she truly is a cat whisperer. She knows what makes cat tick and she has a sensible, humane set of strategies to solve the many behavioral issues with which most cat owners are all-too familiar. I particularly liked the beginning of the book, where Mieshelle describes her close connection to animals from an early age, and her hilarious and endearing obsession with cats. less

Download links for: Cat Whisperer: Why Cats Do What They Do--And How to Get Them to Do What You Want

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