Customer Reviews

The Well Cat Book: The Classic Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care

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Looking for a reliable and helpful reference in caring for my pets, I have looked at and rejected many, many books published for the general public on dog and cat care. Most of them are so general in approach as to be next to useless.

Dr. McGinnis' "Well Dog Book" and "Well Cat Book" are just fabulous. Every line contains meaty, solid, specific information that lets us do our best for our loving, trusting animals. Dr. McGinnis demonstrates respect not only for animals but for their guardians, too.

I have bought many copies of both books and given them to friends, family, and animal shelters. These books went out of print but now apparently they are in a new printing! I'm not surprised -- they are really worthwhile. If you can find a copy anywhere at almost any price, it's worth it!!

This book has been helpful so many times... I'd like to share the most dramatic. Our diabetic cat stopped eating (he usually has a great appetite), began vomiting, and stopped using the litter box. Of course, especially with a diabetic, these symptoms can mean serious problems.

I looked in the "Well Cat Book," and found several very helpful listings in the index (when was the last time you actually found something in an index, and easily?), one of which was that it might be a hair ball.

I took the cat immediately to the veterinarian, who mentioned several diabetes-related possible causes, such as kidney or liver problem, etc. When, thanks to what I'd read in the "Well Cat Book," I wondered aloud whether it might be a hairball, he immediately asked his assistant to x-ray the cat, and sure enough! -- that's what it was. It had entered the intestines and caused a blockage. They expelled the hair ball and the cat was fine.

If it hadn't been for Dr. McGinnis' "Well Cat Book," the poor cat would have gone through many unnecessary procedures, and would have been given unnecessary medications, with unnecessary effects on his body and doubtless getting his diabetes out of control (and the stress on his body of that).

Thank you so much, Dr. McGinnis!

still use my original 1975 edition that was bought that year, but have seen this re-issue and am glad it is back in print... it is a *must have*. over 21 years, 'the well cat book' has been the saving grace for more cats than i can remember; housepets who needed general care on up to rescuing farm cats that were involved in serious accidents (if you're not the squeamish sort)... most people don't end up in such situations, but the needed information is there.

for the average housecat owner, you will be pleasantly suprised about how much time and $$$ will be saved at the vet on tests/ diagnostics because of the clear, common-sense and descriptive information dr. mcginnis provides.

the really *big* bonus is a *healthy and long life* for your purry companion thanks to all the information about diet and general daily home care!

I have used this book for 21 years, having had the same number of cats over those years. I was able to determine if I could do at-home treatment or they needed a vet. Excellent reference, information is easily found and very clear. Highly recommended by "Phisty", et al.

While there is solid medical information here, the information on cat "training" or behavior modification is appallingly outdated. The author states "most cats respond to punishment" and advocates "a spank on the rump as a last resort." Times have changed, and so have behavior modification methods when it comes to felines. Also, very little information was offered on cat psychology or behavior, which if the cat owner is not aware of can lead to unnecessary surrenders to cat shelters when the problem behavior could be modified. This may have been a good cat reference book at one time, but that time has long passed. It needs a lot of updating.

After recently going through a mysterious illness with my 6 month-old kitten, I realized that my reference shelf is severely lacking in cat-care books. I used the Internet to research symptoms and any of the specific diseases my vet mentioned she was testing for, but despite the wealth of information available online, there is no replacement for an expertly-researched cat-care manual. The Well Cat Book is an essential component of your cat care library, which should also include some more modern titles. (It's also available used at a rock-bottom price.) There is no one size-fits-all cat manual and multiple expert opinions should always be consulted.

Terri McGinnis's The Well Cat Book was originally published in 1975 and then updated in 1993. The update covers new diseases (FIP, FIV) and advanced medical techniques once reserved for humans (blood tests, urinalysis, x-rays). The manual is organized three opening sections on anatomy, preventative medicine, and diagnostic medicine, followed by sections on home medical care, breeding and reproduction, and veterinary care. McGinnis uses headings in the wide margins to guide the reader through the book, which allows the reader to rapidly locate the paragraph of interest by skimming a chapter. Numerous black and white anatomical diagrams are interspersed throughout the text, showing everything from inner organs to proper technique for retracting and trimming the claws. The book concludes with both an index of signs/symptoms and a general-purpose index.

The Well Cat Book allows the cat owner to get maximum benefit out of veterinary medicine. A Well Cat owner can perform appropriate care at home and converse intelligently with their vet about symptoms and treatment. I recommend that all cat owners read this manual cover to cover to familiarize themselves with these majestic creatures. After one read, this manual can be used as a quick reference for nearly every aspect of feline development and health.

The original book, published in 1975, has saved me many, many trips to the vet and lots of money! It is written so that everyone can understand it and easily diagnose (to a point) your cats' symptoms. It's extremely helpful in educating the cat owner on all aspects of kitten and cat care for overall well being as well as treating illnesses and injuries. This book also has several helpful illustrations throughout the book, including a very comprehensive anatomy section. I have recommended this book to several people over the years and they all have found it as useful as I have. The author has done a wonderful job! I look forward to receiving the new updated version providing me with the latest in cat care.

Fine book for a cat household.
I highly recommend it for all cat owners.

I have ordered a new copy to make sure that cat design has not changed. People stuff has. We went from putting butter on burns to putting ice on burns. I want to know if I can still put my cat in ice water for heat stroke. So far the occasion has not come up. However I am starting to suspect that cats can read. Every time I pick up the book, the cats run under the bead. My copy does not say much about thyroid disorders. However I find that this is right up there with urinary disorders except more deadly. The best cure is irradiation. However many cats are too old or fragile so they get daily doses of metimazole. I had one that lasted five years on it. The book did tell me how to choose the vet that detected the problem just in time. Now I have a new batch of cats and the latest designer problem is polyps. Evidently there is not very much information on them.

Bottom line is that if you are going to just gat one book or are just starting out then this is the book for you,