5 comments about 250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You.

1. Anyone who takes this book's advice will lose thier cat to death in 6 months...
   
   Garenteed.
   
   
   What else can you expect from a woman who wants to ban all pet ownership and Servuce animals for the disabled?
   
   
   Yes, I am one of those "loathsome creatures" that enslaves a dog to be my eyes. If dear Ingrid had her way, my best friend in life would be taken away from me, and every other visually impaired person on earth who dared to have one.
   
   
   And this woman claims to love animals... Meh.



2. I was very disappointed in this book. It wasn't anything like I expected. It was more on cat care and it seemed to make things complicated. I expected it to be more of suggestions for play and comfort. Pretty dull read.
   
   Karen Arlettaz Zemek, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"



3. 
   As a career microbiologist with a fair grounding in biochemistry, I might be qualified to say a few words about the feline vegetarianism advocated in this book.
   
   While I'm certainly no apologist for the mass-market pet food industry, I can't let the author's advice on feline nutritional needs go unchallenged.
   
   Basically, Cats ARE obligate carnivores. Why? Unlike humans, cats cannot synthesize the organic compound taurine, which is essential for their survival. THE TAURINE CONTENT OF GRAINS, VEGETABLES AND FRUITS IS NEGLIGIBLE; IN MOST CASES SO LOW AS TO BE UNDETECTABLE. Cats CAN live on a modified (VERY carefully modified) diet consisting mostly of well-balanced vegetable protein PROVIDED they are given some form of supplementation for the nutrients that cats normally obtain from eating meat. Synthetic taurine is available, although I was under the impression (perhaps erroneous) that "synthetic chemicals" were anathema to most serious vegetarians. "Natural" taurine is easy to come by, with the caveat that there's only ONE "natural" source of taurine: meat. Perhaps my logic is flawed, but I don't see much of an ethical distinction between feeding your cat meat as opposed to a meat derivative.
   
   If you know of someone who claims to have a cat who has thrived on a vegetarian diet for years without some form of taurine supplementation, they're either lying about the supplements or about the cat's health. A person who tries to "convert" their cat to vegetarianism without a thorough knowledge of the modifications that need to be made in order to make up for the essential missing nutrients in the cat's diet is condemning their pet to a life of sickness, blindness and eventually, premature death.
   
   If there should be any remaining doubt on the matter, just type the words "taurine cats vegetarian" (without the quotation marks) into your browser's search field, and see what comes up.
   
   This one issue doesn't necessarily invalidate the contents of the entire book, but it does raise serious questions about the judgment and expertise of a person who cavalierly advocates something as potentially dangerous as feline vegetarianism.



4. Cats cannot CANNOT be trained to be vegetarians, Unitarians or librarians. They eat meat. They need MORE protein and fat in their diet than dogs. Cats fed on carbohydrates develop a disease like cirrhosis of the liver. It's cruelty to animals to feed a cat on anything less than a the diet such as they require. They are carnivores, the way God made them. Ignore the advice in this book, please and feed your cat a healthy diet recommended by your vet.



5. Ingrid Newkirk (the author) is the President of PETA and a militant-type activist. No wonder she thinks cats can be vegetarian!! Love and respect animals and pets, and be informed- but please, don't be a freak.
   There are many other books available by people who are still sane and care about animal welfare.

1 comments about The Little Big Book of Cats.

1. All of these "Little Big Books" are wonderful! The stories, illustrations, poems are so great. And of course this one about cats is my favorite!

No comments about More Cat Psalms: Prayers My Cats Have Taught Me.

4 comments about Vaccine Guide for Dogs and Cats: What Every Pet Lover Should Know.

1. This book opened my eyes big time! I recomend it for anyone who owns pets or has kids. It can be a bit technical at times - I had to read some sections twice to really get it, but well worth the effort. I strongly recomend you read this and follow or start with "The nature of animal healing."
   This book will also get you to questions vaccines used in humans...autism for your young daughter anyone??
   
   Read it but don't let the quest for knowledge on this subject stop at this book!



2. Every animal lover should read this in order to truly make the best decisions for your animal.



3. It is about time someone brings to light the dangers of over- vaccination! This book explores the many dangerous side effects of vaccination, the obscurity of diseases such as Coronavirus, the inadequacies in vaccines such as Leptospirosis, and the lack of science behind annual rabies mandates. The text given is thourough, and thought provoking! Many vaccines are mandated based on fear, and not science. It is refreshing to see an author admit the inadequacies of vaccinations and the laws surrounding them. Vaccines can become dangerous, and cannot be considered harmless, as demostrated in this book.
   
   This book provides a solid outline of data that rubs against the grain! A great mind-opener! It is great for those questioning current vaccination standards, yet will easily rub wrong with those who strongly advoate vaccine usage. The main down-fall to the book is that it focuses on the negative, and gives little alternative beyond not vaccinating. I would use this book as a resource for the negatives of vaccination, yet would do further research to determine if or how you will choose to vaccinate. The book would serve well coupled with Don Hamiltons book Homeopathy for Cats and Dogs: Small doses for small animals, which also gives some interesting insight into vaccinations, and more alternative on how to administer them, if at all.



4. This book is not a guide as it doesn't guide you to answer the obvious question "if you don't vaccinate, what DO you do??" It discusses all the bad things vaccines do, but gives no solution for protecting your dog against the deadly Distemoer, Parvo and Rabies. Ridiculous.

5 comments about Mog the Forgetful Cat (Mog).

1. I first bought this book for my daughter when she was 3. she is now 31 and I am buying Mog second time around for the next generation. How's that for staying power and enjoyment?



2. Some stories stay with you forever...this is definitely one of them for me! I remember so many things from this book, "Drat that Cat!" being the number one thing. I also fondly recall the family sitting around the dining table eating breakfast and each of them having little egg cups for their soft-boiled eggs. How they served the thief (who wears a little mask over his eyes!) coffee while they wait for the policeman to get their statements. And of course the accident-prone yet loveable MOG! The illustrations are beautifully rendered and the story is so one-of-a-kind. Terrific and highly recommended book!



3. This book was one of my favorites as a child, so I purchased a copy to give my four year old niece for Christmas. I couldn't believe they changed the best part of the story, and replaced it with "Bother That Cat"
   
   I had my original copy for years, and read it often when I worked as a nanny or in daycare. The children always loved shouting "Drat That Cat!" at Mog's antics.
   
   Disappointed.



4. My granddaughter loves this book and it has to be read to her over and over again, especially at bedtime. I think she identifies with someone who is forgetful, but for whom things work out in the end. This book has been giving us no end of pleasure.



5. I bought this book because it was one of the many books my parents used to read me when I was a child. It was wonderfull reading it this time to my children (7 & 3). It brought back a lot of memories and it was wonderful to see the same illistrations I remembered.

No comments about Color Atlas of Small Animal Anatomy: The Essentials.

1 comments about Skin Diseases of the Dog and Cat.

1. Working vets and any college-level holding strong in advanced veterinary science must have Skin Diseases of the Dog and Cat: Clinical and Histopathologic Diagnosis, now updated to its second edition and including black and white and color photos to aid in diagnosis and treatment. From close-up photos of skin conditions to detailed treatment analysis and procedures, this is a working reference any vet must have; particularly as skin diseases are the most common complaint bringing a dog or cat owner into the vet's office.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about Good Owners, Great Cats.

1. I really like Kilcommon's advice on behavioral issues and methods to train cats. His advice has a slightly different angle than what you will find in a cat book by a vet. One point he makes, which I strongly disagree with, is his advice that if you can't tame a feral cat, have it euthanised. I presume he wrote this out of ignorance, since TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) wasn't widespread ten years ago, but since then has become the best and most widely accepted way to manage feral cats. They can live perfectly happy and healthy lives outside if they are spayed, neutered and cared for. Other than this, a solid book and good addition to cat care information.



2. My husband and I recently adopted a fearful/shy dog from a local canine rescue group. The group recommends this book to "new" parent(s). This book has given me some great advice in understanding, owning, and training a dog, as well as, how my behavior/attitudes/emotions affect the dog's confidence. Originally, I checked this book out from a local library; I am going to purchase this book to have as a general reference.



3. I am a brand new cat owner and so I checked out 3 books from the local library, this being one of them. In reading each of the books, I realized that "Good Owners, Great Cats," almost always had the best, most common-sense advice written in a very "no holds barred" way. Kilcommons doesn't mince words and he's very opinionated, but his opinions seem to be right on the mark. I've only owned dogs in the past, and without reading this book I think that I would be clueless in how to train/discipline a cat. In the few short weeks that I've had the cat and the book (which I've purchased) I've used its hints and advice innumerable times.



4. A very thorough book on one of America's favorite companions! Great pictures and information. It made a wonderful gift for a friend too!! I highly recommend it! "Good Owners, Great Cats" and GreatPets.com - where else do you need to go to find out about cats?!



5. This is a fabulous book! I had a good cat to start, but I wanted to understand her better. Brian and Sarah's book helped me understand what my cat was trying to tell me with her body language. Consequesntly, my cat has become more outgoing when people come over. In addition, this book was the main reason I was able to keep the peace when I brought a new dog home.

   I read some other animal training books, and this book manages to cover the core of what you really need to know about cats better than the rest. I liked it so much, I also purchased Good Ownners, Great Dogs - which is also the best in its field.

5 comments about My Cat Spit McGee.

1. Have read this a number of times ... ditto Morris's dog book ... continue to order both as gifts for first-time cat/dog-owners ... may they never go out of print!



2. Pet ownership is a responsibility as well as a joy. Owners who do not safeguard their pets are not doing the pets any favors; they are simply being irresponsible owners.
   
   When Morris writes, "I felt that [Spit McGee] should have one chance at least to become a father" I wanted to reach into his grave and slap him. In numerous other places he endangers his cat (and I assume dog in the earlier book) in the name of misplaced anthropomorphized freedom.
   
   These books should come with parental advisories: kids, don't try this at home.



3. I read this book in one day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I highly recommend it to anyone who loves cats as much as I do. Great story!



4. I finished this book with my beloved Siamese, Tia, draped across my lap. As she looked up at me and I gazed down at her, I wondered what I found lacking about this novel. Was it not gushing or reverential enough? Was Morris too languid or episodic? It wasn't too bad necessarily, but it didn't leap out demanding 5 stars like I was hoping for when I saw it. There are of course mild laughs to be had by some of the anecdotes, and by the end the author's conversion is complete. Willie Morris, who apparently was always a `dog' man, circuitously comes into the company of split eyed Spit McGee. Spit grows on Morris over time. The rest of the novel details their interaction and the constant comparisons to his previous dogs. There are a couple groups who will read this book, those that have been cat lovers all their lives, and those like Morris who are joiners. I fall into the former camp. I think my disaffection here boils down to impatience with those who don't grasp the allure and majesty of cats initially, and need to go on some sort of personal vision quest to `get' it. Arguably, that may make the late comers appreciative, but the author's constant questioning, comparing, and reassessing of the cats love is unnecessary for the born ailurophile. Juxtaposed to the sloppy, loud, non-focused devotion of a dog, when a cat chooses to grace you as an object of affection it is a supremely special gift. Thankfully, it appeared that Morris eventually realized this.



5. I absolutely loved this little book! I saw the movie, "My Dog Skip" and was interested in reading the actual book and came across Spit and decided to buy both! I am a cat lover; have been all my life. It was really neat to read about Willie's journey into the cat world! Willie Morris' nostalgic writing style and how he learns to appreciate the uniqueness and quirky nature of the cat leaves you wanting more!

5 comments about The Cat's Mind: Understanding Your Cat's Behavior.

1. I liked the beginning with the chemistry and physiology of the cat's mind. And that's about it. I don't even think I finished this book - it started getting into cats in their natural habitat rather than how it relates housecats. I tried reading it twice but stopped in the same spot - too bad they don't sell just the first few chapters!



2. I have read half this book in a single day, it was hard to put it down. While I was aware of many of the items in this book from reading other books about cats, the author provides a lot of information, and especially comparisons between dogs and cats, and other domesticated animals, all of which is very interesting.
   
   The author has a very good introduction to genetics. He also mentions research about how breeding for color has a side effect of changing the personality of the cats. He repeatedly gives examples of how the adaption of cats to living in proximity to humans is caused by a genetic changes that lead to changes in behaviour, and ultimately in how the mind of the cat works. He also touchs on concerns about how heavy inbreeding to select for various odd traits that we find pleasing may be creating animals that are actually mentally less suited to being pets and surviving on their own.
   
   Another great book that goes over a lot of the same issues, but is more current, and discusses a lot of these same things as their concern farm animals, and other pets is "Thinking In Pictures - and Other Reports from My Life with Autism" by Temple Grandin. I highly recommend this book also.



3. I've been a cat owner my entire life. I didn't find any revelations about cats in this book. All the information seemed like common sense for people who are cat lovers. Perhaps this book would be a good read for someone who is a new cat owner and is very interested in details. If you are trying to find a solution for your cat's behavior problem, this book is probably not a good choice- it is written in a descriptive/narrative style, not in a do-it-yourself-help style.



4. Never before have I felt so compelled to write a review on a book, but Dr. Bruce Fogle's "The Cat's Mind" bothered me so much that I wish someone had warned me before I made the mistake of buying it.

   Prior to even reading a word I was struck by the fact that there is an entire chapter dedicated to disciplining your cat. While Dr. Fogle does make mention of one form of discipline being positive reinforcement, he then goes on to disturbingly describe how negative reinforcement can be used to effectively retrain cats to behave "as you would like them to". The next two sub-chapters are titled "aversion" and "intimidation", the latter of which describes techniques to hit your animal, including the use of rolled up newspaper, or as the author proudly claims to be his method of choice, using the "nearest fly swatter".

   If this isn't bad enough the rest of the book (or actually the first half of this book as I couldn't even finish reading it) is riddled with ridiculous and barbaric experiment citations involving cats which, he states, are "unpleasant, at times thoughtless and at other times cruel, but it would be foolish to disregard the results". I don't want to hear how inserting electrodes into a calm cat's brainstem can turn it into a "ferocious demon", what effect keeping newborn kittens in total darkness has, or what happens when a cat's whiskers are removed. He even goes on to cite an "experiment" you can conduct yourself to test your cat's balance ("hold your cat by its front and back legs upside-down a yard above your bed and let go").

   To say I was disgusted with this book is an understatement. First off, there are so many alternative ways to "discipline" your cat to where you are not physically hurting it (my favorite are the cans of compressed air most computer stores sell to clean your computer keyboards with. They emit a loud "hiss" noise when engaged, which startle the cat. To me this beats even the water gun because no contact is made with your cat). Even with his method of punishment aside, in respect to Dr. Fogle's need to cite animal experiments, I do not feel the end justify the means. Just because an experiment was conducted does NOT give it merit or mean the results should be reviewed. Should the horrific experiments the nazi's conducted be viewed as viable research simply because they were conducted? Absolutely not.

   I found this book to be very distracting and even if Dr. Fogle gave informative insight I wouldn't know because I couldn't even finish it. If you are a true animal lover, in my opinion, you can go elsewhere to find more feline-friendly information, and not waste your time on this book.




5. This book improved my understanding of my cat's needs and behaviors; it also heightened my appreciation for these sometimes quirky behaviors. The author blends the history of cat domestication and scientific research with humorous anecdotal illustrations to help the reader understand the why cats behave like cats.