The Cat Whisperer: The Secret of How to Talk to Your Cat [Paperback]

Claire Bessant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2002

Britain's leading veterinary journalist and cat expert shares her advice and experience with cat owners on both sides of the Atlantic, as she describes how to bond with a pet feline. Claire Bessant begins by explaining how cats function as cats, describing their likes, their dislikes, and their instinctive behavior. Armed with this knowledge, cat owners facing behavior problems can determine why a problem exists and decide how to solve it. A most fascinating topic that Claire Bessant explores in detail is her method of entering a cat's world through its senses—sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste, and that indefinable feline sixth sense. Readers will also find information on cat vocal and body language, feline traits determined by genetics, ways of measuring feline intelligence, training techniques, and much more. The book's final 50-page chapter is an A-to-Z compendium of cat behavior problems and their solutions. This must-read volume for cat lovers includes an eight-page insert of beautiful full-color photos.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Cats have been favorite domestic pets since ancient times, and a very real understanding has evolved between these fascinating animals and their human counterparts. This book, written by a leading cat expert, will guide you toward forging a more meaningful bond between you and your feline pet. Claire Bessant explains cats’ likes and dislikes, and analyzes problems that sometimes arise between cats and their owners. Most important, she offers advice on how to solve them. By learning more about your cat, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for this much loved pet.

About the Author

Claire Bessant is the author of many books on cat care, including How to Talk to Your Cat, published in North America by Barron's.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 1 edition (May 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764121650
• ISBN-13: 978-0764121654
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,731 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Talk to Your Cat, and Your Cat Talks to You, January 13, 2003

By 

George Webster, Ph.D., (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Cat Whisperer: The Secret of How to Talk to Your Cat (Paperback)

Claire Bessant, a British expert on cats, tells us that the intelligence of cats ranks up there with dolphins and primates. I agree. If a cat resides in your home, you learn quickly that communication with the cat is a two-way street. You communicate with the cat via words that the cat quickly picks up, and the cat communicates with you by sound and body language that sometimes takes a poor human considerable time to understand. That is why we need a book such as this one by Claire Bessant. Usually, while you are trying unsuccessfully to train the cat, that calculating cat is busily training you for maximum cat security and comfort. Bessant explains the basis for cat behavior and shows how body language aids vocal sounds in telling you what the cat wants to tell you. Her background information goes a long way toward helping you communicate with and understand a highly intelligent creature. I found this well-written book to be informative and entertaining.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good book to get you up to speed with modern theory, July 22, 2007

By 

DrBig (Laguna Niguel, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cat Whisperer: The Secret of How to Talk to Your Cat (Paperback)

I just brought home my first cat in 20 years, and find this book an excellent primer in getting to know this little creature & appreciate it as a friend. The book is identical to her other book titled "How to Talk to Your Cat", so no need to buy both. The book is not written in an 'owner manual' style, but rather as a long essay where the author dispenses her sage advice. All the author is doing in this book is tying together modern theory to explain what a cat is, & why it does what it does, so we can better appreciate it & have more fruitful interactions with it. Some people may prefer a more systematic & technical approach; it is all personal preference. But I agree, the title is very misleading & a slick marketing ploy.

37 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do Yourself A Favor And SKIP This Book, January 3, 2004

By 

Sylvain Garceau (Ottawa, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cat Whisperer: The Secret of How to Talk to Your Cat (Paperback)

I've read dozens of cat books in the last few years, and frankly I just thought this one was a waste of money. There is no new info here, no new point of view, nothing that isn't available in a dozen other cat books, and better written at that. Someone who picked up "Cats For Dummies" would get more plentiful, useful information.