The Secret Life of Your Cat: Unlock the Mysteries of Your Pet's Behavior - Softcover

Halls, Vicky

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1554077354 ISBN 13: 9781554077359

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2010

Synopsis

A comprehensive illustrated book that reveals why cats behave the way they do.

The Secret Life of Your Cat uncovers the biology and physiology behind the uniquely feline approach to life and, in particular, how cats have adapted to living with humans. The book examines the cat inside out, starting with a nose-to-tail explanation of how evolution has shaped this perfect little predator. Information on feral, social and age- and breed-related behaviors reveals the biological and behavioral adaptations cats have made over centuries in order to successfully live with humans.

The author also reveals what makes a cat content in its daily life, both in the house and out and about in the neighborhood. The author examines troublesome behaviors, such as aggression, toilet-troubles and turf wars, revealing their biological sources and suggesting remedies. There are also tips on the adaptations pet owners can make at home to provide a cat-friendly environment, and 240 full-color photos add romance to the text.

For the cat lover who wants to know everything about a beloved pet to the animal lover who is curious about all pets, The Secret Life of Your Cat is a richly illustrated and authoritative guide to the singular mystery that is the cat.

About this title

About the Author

Vicky Halls is a cat behaviorist and a key member of Britain's Feline Advisory Bureau's Behavior Expert Panel, which formulates "best practice" information for the veterinary profession, breeders and pet owners. She is the author of several books on cat behavior, including How to Be a Cat Detective: Solving the Mystery of Your Cat's Behavior.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Cats have been part of our lives in one significant way or another for many thousands of years, and for most of that time we have struggled to truly understand them. Their behavior can appear focused, manipulative and ruthless outdoors, yet loving and gentle with their owners at home. They can be contrary, fun-loving, dismissive and frolicsome in equal measure. So which cat is the real one?

I doubt that we can ever domesticate the cat or even really claim to own a creature with such independence. It's a very telling fact that we have never succeeded in selectively breeding a cat to assist us humans by performing a particular role -- there are no cats that can herd, guard or sniff on command. And we have failed to produce a cat that is significantly smaller or larger than nature's version, unlike the Chihuahua or the Great Dane in the case of our other favorite companion animal, the dog. The cat seems to defy any of our clumsy attempts to alter perfection or achieve a sense of control.

"A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside an Enigma"

The more I study cats to discover the truth about their behavior, the more I realize that we still only know half the story. Research is constantly revealing new and amazing facts about this incredible species, each piece of information linked with others to eventually complete the jigsaw puzzle. I continue in my quest to solve the mystery of the cat because the key to the wellbeing of the animal we love so much is in our understanding of it.

This book starts that journey of discovery by exploring the domestic cat's unique physiology to see how its structure contributes to its success as a species. We will then delve into the secretive world of its behavior by getting close up and personal with the pet cat's "wild" (feral) cousins to see how they spend their days. Domestic cats are only a whisker away from their wild side, so understand the wild cat and you'll get a little closer to understanding your own!

Throughout the book I refer to pet cats as male, for ease, so my apologies to anyone who shares their home with a female, as I do. It's nothing personal!

Edition details

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1554077354
• ISBN 13: 9781554077359
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208