Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss [Paperback]

Pam Johnson-Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 27, 2011

A fully revised and updated edition of the bestselling feline behavior bible.

There are approximately eighty-five million cats owned as pets in the United States alone. And-thanks to her regular appearances in the media and at veterinary conferences and humane organizations-most of their owners already recognize Pam Johnson-Bennett as the authority on all things feline.

Over the past ten years, the award-winning author has continued to refine her work and techniques. From basic health care to more serious behavioral issues, from training cats to use a scratching post to avoiding litter box problems this newly revised edition of Think Like a Cat covers all of a cat owner's most pressing concerns-and solidifies its position as the topic leader for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Feline behaviorist Johnson-Bennett (Twisted Whiskers: Solving Your Cat's Behavioral Problems) suggests that if cat owners learn how to think like a cat, they can better understand their pets and build a more positive relationship. One way is to view the world not from the vantage point of a 5'7" human but from the cat's level, ten inches off the ground. If you needed to scratch your claws and saw only drapes and furniture and no scratching post, what would you use? The author gives helpful tips for stopping destructive chewing, aggression, furniture scratching, and litter-box difficulties. Her advice on grooming, pests, traveling, and first aid are clear and straightforward. She also recommends types and brands of toys, equipment, food, and other feline products. A similar guide is Brian Kilcommon's Good Owners, Great Cats (LJ 10/1/95), which has a more attractive layout and is easier to use. Still, this volume is more comprehensive than Johnson-Bennett's earlier works, with excellent insight into feline behavior, humor, and common sense. Recommended for most pet collections.
-Eva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Clarkston
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Pam Johnson-Bennett is a certified cat behavior consultant and author of 7 other books on cat behavior and training. She is the former vice president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and is the founder/co-chair of the IAABC's cat division. She is a member of the American Humane Association's Advisory Board on Animal Behavior and Training. She is a Professional Member of the Association of Animal Behavior Professionals and the Animal Behavior Management Alliance.

Pam is the behavior expert for Friskies where she writes a weekly blog on their website. You can also find articles and videos on her website, catbehaviorassociates.com

Previously, she was the behavior expert for Yahoo, iVillage and Cat Fancy's Cat Channel. She was also the behavior columnist for Cats Magazine and the Daily Cat.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books; Revised edition (September 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143119796
• ISBN-13: 978-0143119791
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Pets & Animal Care > Cats

More About the Author

Pam Johnson-Bennett is the star of the upcoming Discovery Channel UK series "Psycho Kitty" that will begin airing in 2013. She is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and best-selling author of 8 books and countless articles. Pam is a pioneer in the field of cat behavior consulting, having begun her career 30 years ago. Many have tried to copy her "think like a cat" behavior approach.

Pam speaks on behavior at veterinary conferences and animal welfare organizations around the country. She is also a frequent guest on national TV and radio, including Fox News Network and CNN. Previously, she was the behavior expert at Yahoo, ivillage, and the Cat Channel. She was the former vice president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is the founder and former longtime chair of the cat division for the IAABC. Pam was a member of the American Humane Association's Advisory Board on Animal Behavior and Training and a member of the Advisory Board for Tree House Humane Society. She was the behavior columnist for Cats magazine and the Daily Cat. She has been profiled in countless publications including the New York Times, Newsweek, Prevention, Real Simple, Family Circle, Woman's World, Enquirer, Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, USA Weekend, USA Today, Newsday, Wall Street Journal, Parade, Complete Woman, The Tennessean, Daily News Journal and more.

Pam was the behavior expert for Friskies and a member of the Friskies "Dream Team" along with the Today Show's Lou Manfredini and celebrity designer Frank Beilec. Together, they designed the Friskies Ultimate Cat Habitat that was was unveiled to national media. Pam, along with country superstar Leann Rimes, was also the spokesperson for the Friskies prototype cageless shelter that was created at Northshore Animal League in New York. The shelter was designed to encourage cats in the shelter environment to enjoy living in social groups to reduce stress and promote adoption. Pam served as the spokesperson and one of the judges for the Friskies shelter grant program that awarded grants to 10 in-need shelters around the country. Most recently, she was the spokesperson for the Friskies Playhouse. Some very fortunate shelter cats got to live in this ultimate playhouse for two weeks while waiting for their forever homes. The purpose of the Playhouse was to promote cat adoption.

Pam is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Winn Feline Foundation Media Award.

In addition to her work with cats, Pam is the co-author of Cookies for Dinner. This book chronicles the funny and often embarrassing side of motherhood.

Pam owns Cat Behavior Associates, LLC, a private veterinarian-referred behavior service. Visit her website at http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 122 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource! March 13, 2000

By Meg Brunner

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just got my first cat (she's 6 months old) and have been searching around desperately ever since for a good, solid reference book full of everything I need to know to keep my cat healthy and happy. A kind of "Our Bodies, Our Selves" for my pet, you could say. But most of the books I found were all pictures, no substance.

I stumbled across this one when I found it on a sale table. I thought it was just going to be a handbook on cat psychology, but it turns out it's much, much more!

This book has information on just about everything you would ever need to know about taking care of your kitty. It's got a chapter on every subject I had a question about, plus informational lists (like, of which houseplants are poisonous), very detailed and easy-to-follow instructions (like, on how to do CPR on your cat), and extremely innovative ideas and solutions to common problems (like, how to keep your cat off your kitchen counters).

I heartily recommend this book to everybody who has a cat or is thinking about getting one. It's terrific!

86 of 87 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for Cat Owners July 31, 2001

By George Webster, Ph.D., VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

There is so much misinformation about cats that it's a welcome treat to have a book that gives us insight into things that are important to them. Cats love security. They love a familiar setting. They like a routine, but they can become bored if we don't play with them regularly. The author has fine suggestions on effective play. She also has excellent thoughts on how cats try to communicate with us. It took me a long time to figure out what my cat was trying to tell me, but you can get it nicely from this book. The volume has useful information on cat health, but its great value is in helping you think like a cat. Every cat owner would be wise to have a copy.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book for Owners of Cats of All Ages May 13, 2000

By Casey Greenfield

Format:Paperback

I checked out this book at the library, and I am now buying it. Don't think that this is a book for someone who JUST bought a cat! I have owned a cat for 5 years and I still found all the information in this book helpful. Pam explains everything in clear, concise words, so you don't get caught of in the middle of the book thinking "What the heck is a cytoplamatic inherited gene?" I strongly urge you to buy this book whether you are about to buy your first kitten or if you have been a cat owner for 20 years.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The best pet book I've read in decades February 8, 2000

By steve

Format:Paperback

You could call this book a behavioral first-aid kit. "Think Like A Cat" will save my cat's life. I was contemplating putting her to sleep. When I called my vet, he was the one who suggested this book. After reading it, I realized the things I'd been doing wrong. My cat is much happier now and so am I. There's so much valuable information in this book about every behavioral problem in cats.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Think Like a Cat December 4, 2005

By Paula J. Collins

Format:Paperback

I have owned cats for over 30 years, and I have bought many books on feline behavior, but this is by far the best resource I have ever found on the subject. I thought I knew everything about cats, but Pam taught me many things I did not know before. This book has become my "Cat Encyclopedia", if not my "Kitty Bible," with valuable information on everything from how to introduce a new cat into my household, to helping to save one of cats from death by curing her horrible problem of inappropriately urinating on my dining room carpet. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a first-time cat owner, to anyone considering getting a cat, and even to veteran cat Moms like me.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful March 15, 2006

By Giorgia Villa

Format:Paperback

This is a very useful book, especially if like me, you end up adopting two adult cats from a shelter, both traumatized and unsocialised (and one of them a Maine Coon !).

This book has provided me with a lot of insight in their behaviour, tips on how to ease their fears, socialise them and make them, less than two months later, the two happy, sure. sleek cats that are purring now on my coach, near my dog, that, thanks to another helpful section of the book, survived quite unscathed this process. This book made me also avoid costly mistakes with litters, foods etc. (while I disagree with the author on the enclosed litter trays, as my cats like them and they do limit sand spills) and how to make my existing furniture cat frendly, with some unexpensive and easy additions and modifications.

So, really well worth reading, well written and quite pleasing to read.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book I've been waiting for February 21, 2000

By Gabrielle

Format:Paperback

I was amazed at how insightful this book was. I discovered so many things that I'd been doing wrong. Since applying Pam's methods, my cats have become better behaved and appear much happier. The book is written with humor and sensitivity yet packs a gutsy punch with respect to the dos and don'ts of training cats.

Now whenever I look into the eyes of my four cats, I feel as if I know what they're thinking. I plan on giving this book to all the cat owners I know.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars With this book, you'll see the world through kitty's eyes! July 22, 2002

By To Y. M. Evelyn

Format:Paperback

Before this book, I was going nuts with my two kittens. I didn't understand why they would scratch my rugs, walk on table tops and eat my plants. After having read this fantastic book, I completely understand what's going on in their minds (well, almost) and our relationship has gotten so much better. Now, I cannot even live without them and my cats have brought me so much joy in my life. This book made a difference between night and day... Pam knows cats best.

The book is easy to read, funny and really in tune with the cat owner in mind. She provides plenty of resources and information. Even my vet has to consult her book for understanding cat behavior! This is a must buy and every cat owner should have one on their bedside!