How to Read Your Cat's Mind

by Celia Haddon

Cat Matters explains how to understand and communicate effectively with your cat, as well as how to build a bond of trust, improve your owner-cat relationship, and make the most of your pet. It includes entertaining and informative sections on vocal language, scents, reading your cat’s pleasure ratio, how your cat can discover its inner kitten, the purr points, special needs for pedigrees, how to nurture the predator in your cat, as well as how to solve behavioural problems and look after an older cat.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cats, Animals

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

"I have loved animals from as far back as I can remember", writes Celia Haddon. "As a child, I realised that some animals suffered at the hands of ignorant humans. To right this I have published several books about cats. Cats make me laugh. We humans don't really understand them, though. If we did, they would have a happier life.

For 20 years I wrote about companion animals (pets) for the Daily Telegraph. For 12 of these years I was a pet agony aunt and dealt with about 100,000 letters. My aim was to improve animals' lives by giving good information - and, with luck, to make my readers laugh at the same time.

I have also written several daily quotation books, now out of print, and a history of the first English Olimpick Games in 1612 - now republished in Kindle. My latest cat is Tilly and my latest cat book is Tilly: the Ugliest Cat in the Shelter. It tells the story of how I rescued Tilly from 18 months without adoption; and how she rescued me in the darkest moment of my life.

Tilly tweets at http://twitter.com/TillyUgliestCat

My former cat George lives on digitally and advises other cats how to train humans at http://george-online.blogspot.com

My website with useful animal behaviour information is www.catexpert.co.uk

- from Amazon

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This would be a nice book to read before getting a kitten or cat.

It gives you a whole host of tips and suggestions to help make your cat feel comfortable and safe. Haddon bases her recommendations on natural feline behaviours, which can often be misunderstood by humans. I wouldn't go as far to say that I can read the minds of my two little monsters, but I recognise in them the behavious and characteristics which Haddon talks about in the book.

Quick and easy to read, this is a good starter book that can be used as an introduction to cat behaviour. However, if you have read anything else on this subject, you won't find anything new here.


Many thanks to Celia Haddon, Endeavour Press, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not really what I expected it to be from its title. The book is a primer on taking care of cats for persons with no experience. It is a dry, humorless instruction manual. Long time cat persons such as myself will find nothing in the guide they don't know from their interactions with their kittens and cats. Because many tips pertain to early kittenhood, a person picking this book up later may be too late to achieve desired results. Better books exist. Skip this one.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know I can’t resist a book about cats. The cover alone on this one got my attention. I think it’s adorable. Even better is the wealth of information jam-packed into this book. The author obviously knows her topic very well and presents it in a way we can all comprehend.

For anyone who has a cat or ever thought about getting a cat, this one is for you. It provides you with everything you need to know about training cats (not an easy task) and gives you some history and background on the origin of cats and their behavior. It gives readers more of an understanding about where their cats are coming from.

If you ever wondered “Why does my cat do that?”, chances are it’s covered in this book. It’s kind of a manual for humans who are owned by cats (I don’t like to say cat owners because cats are usually the ones in charge – LOL.) This book is particularly helpful for new cat owners or anyone with a new kitten.

This is must reading for cat lovers!



FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley for giving me a copy in exchange of a honest review!

I am not going to rate this book. Why? The reason is simple;
Do you rate encyclopedias and dictionaries?

This book truly was a load of information for cat lovers like me. Yes, I have a cat, but he is more of a stray-turned-adopted cat and I don't really know how to take care of him. So this book helped me. A lot actually.

It wasn't an overdose of useless information.
For me at least. While I found it very interesting and informative, it certainly explained things in a simple language that was easy to understand. And I don't know if you're aware, but that does help.
Weird scientific names? Explanations? Check.
Easy tips for taking care of your kittens and cats? Check.
How to understand your cat? Check.

Seriously, I feel more enlightened than I have ever been right now concerning my lazy pal.
Yes, cats act like major b*tches sometimes but that's not a reason to ignore them. Because... who doesn't like balls of sassy and b*tchy fur...? Well... I do

[Miles Gould · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book I wish I had read seven years ago before we got our cats.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chats With Cats was an impulse to grab when it came to my notice as a freebie for Kindle on Amazon and it brought back many wonderful memories as well as gave new insights as to how to successfully understand my current house cat better.

Over years of kittens, indoor and outdoor cats we have never had much luck until 2003 when we made the decision to get a shelter cat and raise her indoors. 13 years later our Calico Munequa is still going like the Energizer bunny and it was interesting to see how many traits she shares with the authors words about cats in the book.

I think that as others have said this would be a great primer for those who are thinking about getting or have gotten a kitten as a pet, it will be excellent advice to take to heart to make for a happier relationship and a healthier cat as time goes on.

[CL · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from: Netgalley

Rating: 4*

Review: A short, easy read. More for the new cat owner rather than an experienced one looking for more in depth advice.

Favourite bit of advice:

If you take up with a new partner, who comes with dogs to live in your home, you may welcome the dogs, but your cat may not. You may have to think about re-homing your existing cat. Or, of course, you could re-home the partner!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little illustrations. Reminisced about the cats I have had while reading this, it helped me to understand some of their behaviour and got me back into the cat mindset for hopefully having a cat again soon. Does cover extremes of cat behaviour, I think if you read this before you got a cat it might put you off having one!

[Dennis Dubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vast insight into cat psychology.

sometimes suggestions are a little too extensive for the average home environment, but overall, has excellent advice on living with cats. Author definitely knows her subject!

[Samra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Such a great reference tool for a cat owner. It has British slang and spelling which makes it unique. I had to look up what a "moggie" was. :)

[Dawn Dorsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

In teaching cat people how to understand feline language, this book underscored what I have long believed. Cats, and for that matter dogs as well, are much smarter than most people are willing to give them credit for being. Secure in our smug belief that humans possess superior intelligence in every respect, we train our pets to fit into our lives.

Note, however, that humans communicate primarily vocally, with a lesser dependence on physical, or body language. Cats and dogs, by comparison, have much more refined tactile, olfactory, and aural languages at which we can only marvel, and guess the extent. Their use and interpretation of body language, especially among cats, is well beyond our comprehension. Cats, having joined human communities much more recently that dogs, are still closer to their wild roots than dogs. Also, as primarily solitary rather than pack animals, they are less dependent on a social group than dogs or people. Our connection with our cats is symbiotic. As long as the cat gets what he wants, be it food, warmth, comfort, or something else, he will allow us to serve him, but if he does not think we are doing our job, he may decamp for another home or an independent life.

Our cats learn our habits and language, and train us to please them. They learn our language, or at least enough of it to understand essential information, and train us to respond to their commands. We, however, continue to wonder what they are saying. If you are skeptical, just mention food, dinner, outside, or bath, and watch what happens. Then try to find your cat after discussing with another human what time we are leaving for the vet. My cat used to stand in the kitchen doorway and speak, but refuse to move, until we caught on that his water bowl was dry. Another one, who had adopted us after touring the neighborhood to find his preferred home, could get impatient when we were slow to respond. He would cuss a blue streak to put a sailor to shame. We also learned to provide the correct treat, clean or move the litter box, pet or cuddle on command, but not at other times. Tell me again who's intelligence is superior?

This book teaches us to learn the language the cats use, among themselves and with their people, so we can better understand their needs and perhaps avoid destructive behavior. It includes an appendix which lists internet resources to learn more about the care of cats, and rescue organizations worldwide.

[Crittermom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chats with Cats: How to Read Your Cat's Mind appears fanciful if you only view the title. In reality, it is a primer designed to help cat owners develop a strong relationship with their beloved pets. It is easy to forget that our snuggly, lazy companions are in reality hunters that need to have certain natural desires fulfilled. This doesn't mean our feline friends need to hunt mice, rather it is important for us to incorporate interactive play that stimulates the mind and body.

Celia Haddon takes time to explain how cats communicate with us and each other, and which signals indicate anxiety or distress. She explains signals humans often misinterpret, and indicates when a vet visit may be in order.

One part of the book that is particularly helpful to individuals looking for a new pet is the listing of hereditary disorders that afflict different breeds. Haddon also provides suggestions on how to pick a good breeder, and how to know which breeders to avoid.

Another valuable aspect of Chats with Cats is the section devoted to solutions for common behavioral issues.

Celia Haddon's book is an insightful treasury of cat information and lore. Her practical, down-to-earth advice, is just what cat owners need. Both experienced cat lovers and new cat owners can benefit from her knowledge.

Chats with Cats: How to Read Your Cat's Mind is an excellent book, and deserves a privileged place on any cat lover's bookshelf.

5/5

I received a copy of Chats with Cats: How to Read Your Cat's Mind from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

Chats with Cats is a treasure cat lovers will enjoy

http://muttcafe.com/2015/12/chats-wit...

12/7/15

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little read (even if it took me two months to get through after picking it up just every now and then) and provided a lot of practical tips for understanding a pet cat's behavior and being considerate of cats' needs. In fact, I wish I'd known a few facts several years ago to help one or two family cats avoid unneeded stress. For example, when introducing a kitten to a home that already has an established pet cat, you have a couple ways to help mix the cat's scents so that the current pet gets more used to the new one (the suggested methods would have been worth a shot years ago when my family adopted a new kitten that the older cat saw as an intruder for the first couple years). Author Celia Haddon also gives in depth detail to feline instincts and habits and ways how their human caretakers can better respond to them to the mutual benefit of owner and pet.

As this book was published in England (if I remember correctly, my dad came across it at a charity shop and picked it up because he thought of me), there are a few references that may not be relevant to cat owners in the USA and a list of resources on the last couple pages that are based in the UK. Those last resources may not be that helpful, but I still find them charming.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here. Who better to review a book about cats than a cat.
I suspect that there is a conspiracy a-paw. Celia Haddon clearly is a cat. No human could pawsibly have such insight into who we are and how we think.. The book lays out in clear concise form that even a human can understand what makes us tick.
It explains our behavior from our purrspective, things that our humans might interpret differently than it was intended. Even my Momma, who considers herself an experience cat purrson, learned some new tidbits.
Now she understand why I do my business under the dining room table where it is there for all to see. i am not sure she is going to like it any more but at least she will not take it purrsonally.
This book should be mandatory reading for all humans owned by a cat. It would make their lives and the lives of their felines better.
I still think it was written by a cat but I will give it five purrs and two paws up.

[Nettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley for a free copy in return for an honest review.

If this was my first book about cats then I would have been more impressed. But overall I found it just average. While I found the topic of introducing a kitten to new experiences interestinf and I really liked the list of useful websites at the end, the rest of the information didnt seem researched enough in my opinion. There was a lot of unnecessary repetition. Information on pedigrees seemed to be restricted to Persians and Burmese and the fact that Siamese yowl.

For someone who is about to get a kitten and knows absolutely nothing about cats except that they have fur, then yes I might recommend this book as a good starting point. But for anyone else then no.

[Zee Monodee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smart tips about cats and how they behave. Lots of good info about the 'lost in translation' moments that can happen between human language and cat language. Found this a very good book to understand my kitten and her needs and mostly communication ways.
Some sections were a bit short - some more info would've been welcome. Really liked the part about caring for an elderly cat, though. It's sad but shows you how you can care for your elderly cat and give him/her the best life possible.

[Deborah Gallatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid book!

If you love your cat and would like to understand more about how to communicate with him her, then this piece is an excellent choice. Well written and easy to understand, it's worth sitting down and taking the time to read. More than that, it's worth putting into practice the techniques put forth in this book.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good, quick read. I feel this book would be perfect for a first time kitten/cat owner. I was hoping for something a little more in depth, but the author did a great job and I would definitely recommend this for a new owner.

[Megan =^..^= · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! Highly recommend!!

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful book for a cat owner giving hints how to understand your pet better. This might be perfect reading for someone planning to have a kitten.

[Mary Arkless]

Haddon obviously loves cats. The book is rather brief, illustrated, and insightful.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very good information. A book I will keep.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good insight on cat behavior.

[Ricky Kimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat Care

This is an excellent book about owning cats and how to care for them. Learned that a cat I once owned can be born with a birth defect I was born with.

[J Layne]

Fun book. Good tips for living with and dealing with your cat. British book.

[JSL]

Fun book. Good tips for living with and dealing with your cat. British book.