The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [0]
Cat
Behavior
ANSWER BOOK
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
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages or reproduce illustrations in a review with appropriate credits; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other — without written permission from the publisher.
The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author or Storey Publishing. The author and publisher disclaim any liability in connection with the use of this information. For additional information please contact Storey Publishing, 210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247.
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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. Cats—Behavior—Miscellanea. I. Title.
SF446.5.M63 2007
636.8—dc22
2007005183
DEDICATION
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.
CONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
PART I: Feeling Fine about Being Feline
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.
PART II: Chatting with Your Cat
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.
PART III: Kitty Quirks and Funny Felines
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 what’s the fuss about catnip, anyway?
PART IV: Thinking Outside the Box
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.
PART V: The Basics of Chowing and Grooming
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.
PART VI: The Ins and Outs of Living with Cats
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?
Professional Consultants
Resources
Index
FOREWORD
Many of my childhood memories involve cats. I regularly