Outwitting Cats: Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Persuading the Felines in Your Life That What YOU Want Is Also What THEY Want [Paperback]

Wendy Christensen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2004

In praise of author's previous book:

"I couldn't think of a single question that wasn't answered helpfully by this excellent book." -Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

"Here's a book your cat would have written for you. Anyone who has a cat, wants a cat or wants to know a cat should read this loving, lucid, comprehensive handbook. It's a gem." -Sy Montgomery

In 1985, silently as fog on little cat feet, cats padded past dogs as America's most popular domestic companion animal. While cat owners love their purring, fuzzy friends, cats can have another, rather unpleasant, side. Some cats spray; defecate and urinate on carpets, in corners, in shoes, on visitors' leather jackets; shred upholstery; chomp houseplants; ambush guests; caterwaul at all hours; and scratch and bite children, sometimes causing serious injuries and infections.

Skeptics will claim that it's impossible to train a cat. Happily, Wendy Christensen knows they're wrong. True, cats are intelligent, adaptable, patient, independent, stubborn, observant, and extremely quick learners. But they're also remarkably self-interested and quick to exploit a good deal. Outwitting a cat means persuading the cat that what you want is also what he wants.
Whatever your immediate, urgent specific cat problem-aggression, bullying, clinginess, refusal to eat-you'll find answers here. Wendy Christensen can tell you what works-and what doesn't. What to do right away-and what never to do. She'll share tips and cat-and-owner-tested secrets to reversing, redirecting, and solving-for good-even the thorniest behavior problems. And she'll tell you how to head off future problems, simply by understanding how your cat thinks.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Since virtually all the problems that people have with their pets result not from the animals themselves but from their owners' lack of information, this book could go a very long way toward mitigating that. People who live in cities or suburbs should be especially grateful for this book, which offers many possible remedies for the difficulties experienced by outdoor cats. I couldn't think of a single question that wasn't answered helpfully by this excellent book." -- Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of "Tribe of Tiger" and "The Hidden Life of Dogs"

"Here's a book your cat would have written for you. Anyone who has a cat, wants a cat or wants to know a cat should read this loving, lucid, comprehensive handbook. It's a gem." --Sy Montgomery, author of "Spell of the Tiger," "Journey of the Pink Dolphins" and "Walking with the Great Apes"

"Wendy Christensen is a talented and lyrical writer. This book is filled with solid information designed to help feline advocates make responsible choices. As usual, Wendy's concern, compassion, dedication and love for cats shine through every word. I am a fan!" -- Amy D. Shojai, president emeritus of the Cat Writers Association and author of over 20 pet books

"From input to output, adoption to saying good-bye, The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Cat Care captures it all. Refreshingly honest, and extensively researched by award-winning author, Wendy Christensen, the Guide to Cat Care helps us enrich our cats' lives. Since early Egyptians made altars to their felines, generations of cat lovers have followed in their timeless footsteps. 'To honor and obey,' cats wouldn't have it any other way!" -- Bob Walker and Frances Mooney, authors of "The Cats' House" and "Cats into Everything"

"Wendy Christensen offers advice in your cat's best interest. She has tips you've never thought of. Wendy is a guardian angel for cats." -- Steve Dale, Tribune Media Services syndicated columnist, host syndicated "Animal Planet Radio" and "Pet Central" on WGN Radio, senior columnist, Pet Life magazine.

"Libraries with small or outdated collections will definitely want to add this one, while those with more expansive collections should seriously consider purchase." -- Library Journal

"Comprehensive, crisp and clear -- an essential read for all cat lovers." -- Maryjean Ballner, author of "Cat Massage" and "Dog Massage"

"I couldn't think of a single question that wasn't answered helpfully by this excellent book."-Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

"Here's a book your cat would have written for you. Anyone who has a cat, wants a cat or wants to know a cat should read this loving, lucid, comprehensive handbook. It's a gem."-Sy Montgomery

About the Author

WENDY CHRISTENSEN is a multi-award-winning writer and illustrator. Her books include The Humane Society of the United States Complete Guide to Cat Care. She's written extensively for Cat Fancy, Cats USA, Kittens USA, Persians, Tabbies, Catnip, CatWatch, Natural Cat, and Natural Pet. She has illustrated Why Cats Do That: A Collection of Curious Kitty Quirks. She also illustrated a children's book, Daddy Day, Daughter Day, by TV's Larry King. She lives in Ipswich, New Hampshire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592282407
• ISBN-13: 978-1592282401
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #531,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book - not accurate title, October 19, 2005

By 

Barjakgirl (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outwitting Cats: Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Persuading the Felines in Your Life That What YOU Want Is Also What THEY Want (Paperback)

This book is interesting and easy to read, and I definitely learned from it, despite the fact that I'm no beginner with cats.
It provides a good basics, from a history of the domestic cat, to an overview of a cats body structure, to tips on making your house more "cat friendly." I was just a bit dissapointed in the "outwitting" suggestions though.
Although there are a few ideas that I may try, many were either obvious (to outwit a cat who eats magazines, put the magazines in a drawer), gross (to outwit a cat who eats off your plate, just let them have a few bites and they'll lose interest) or impractical (to outwit a cat jumping on furniture that you don't want them to, set up motion-activated audio recordings of you yelling.)
I would still recommend this book to anyone with an interest in learning about cat behavior and/or looking for ideas on improving their cat household. It's one of the best overall cat books I've read, but the title is just a little bit misleading.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, and very helpful., December 14, 2005

By 

Megan Romer (Lafayette, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outwitting Cats: Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Persuading the Felines in Your Life That What YOU Want Is Also What THEY Want (Paperback)

This is a wonderful and practical book about feline behavior and why your cat is the way it is. It lays it out straight to those of us who couldn't figure out why our cat would never listen when told "No!" and never come when she is called. They're cats, not dogs, not babies... they are independent-minded and headstrong and no amount of punishing, bribing or begging will get the cat to do exactly what you say.

The book is full of practical information about how to deal with "naughtiness", how to read your cat's body and vocal language, and how to be a better cat parent. It's also decidedly funny and even tongue-in-cheek at times ("Mewphy's Law #11: If you pester a cat long enough, you will get scratched. Mewphy's Law #12: You will deserve it.") It's packed with information about the history of cats and the physiology of cats, but the really pertinent information is the psychology and behavioral aspects of cats, something that most cat-care books don't give a lot of information on.

This book is really excellent, particularly if you're new to owning cats (as I am) and need a little bit of guidance in figuring out their personality.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally found "the" book!, May 17, 2006

By 

citywulf (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Outwitting Cats: Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Persuading the Felines in Your Life That What YOU Want Is Also What THEY Want (Paperback)

I have been looking for the cat complement to Dr. Fogel's wonderful "The Dog's Mind" ("The Cat's Mind" isn't it!). This book fits the bill. For someone who knows virtually nothing about cats and did not intend to have one, the introduction to the physical and mental nature of felines is indespensible. The behaviors covered are exactly what is needed as well. The author is obviously a "cat person" and gets a little biased, but the info is still solid. And it is so well-written that I had a hard time putting it down!

Whether or not you agree with the title ("Outwitting" is a series, BTW, and authors had to kinda retrofit their writing to fit the theme - Outwitting Dogs is another excellent entry in the series), this book holds nothing but useful information.