Cat vs. Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One Cat

In this companion to her successful introduction to cat behavior Think Like a Cat, Pam Johnson-Bennett, the award-winning author and feline behaviorist, shows how adding another cat to your home does not have to be the start of a kitty apocalypse. Although cats are often misunderstood as natural loners, Johnson-Bennett shows how to plan, set up, and maintain a home environment that will help multiple cats—and their owners—live in peace. Cat vs. Cat will help readers understand the importance of territory, the specialized communication cats use to establish relationships and hierarchies, and how to interpret the so-called “bad behavior” that leads so many owners to needless frustration. Offering a wealth of information on how to diffuse tension, prevent squabbles and ambushes, blend two families, or help the elder kitty in your family, Cat vs. Cat is a welcome resource for both seasoned and prospective guardians of cat families large and small.

Intended as a companion to Think Like a Cat (2000), this guide offers multicat owners insights on the complexities of feline communication and social society. The animal behaviorist gives general and crisis intervention advice on treatment plans for such problems as acting out over new household additions. Resources include organizations offering pet owner education and manufacturers of useful products. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Library Journal

Statistics indicate that cats are among the most popular pets-and that most cat owners have more than one. An award-winning feline behaviorist and author, Johnson-Bennett provides practical advice for developing and maintaining multicat households. Her topics include the feline hierarchy (contrary to popular opinion, cats are social creatures), cat communication (e.g., vocalizations, postures), the importance of territory, how to introduce new cats into the mix, and a variety of care issues (e.g., feeding, play time, litter boxes, scratching, aggression, stress management, aging, and illness). If followed, Johnson-Bennett's advice should help reduce the number of cats that are euthanized or turned in to shelters for behavioral problems. Highly recommended for pet care collections, especially those that contain the author's Think Like a Cat. (Appendix and index not seen.)-Edell M. Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., WI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of five other award-winning books on cat behavior, is resident cat expert on iVillage.com and the behavior columnist for the Internet magazine The Daily Cat. She has written numerous articles for national magazines and frequently appears on national TV and radio, as well as veterinary and animal welfare conferences. She lives near Nashville, Tennessee.