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

I'd call this required reading for anyone who has more than one cat in the house, even if you've been cat parenting for years and your cats seem to, for the most part, get along. I think that you should read it even if you have only one cat, if you want to truly understand its behavior, but perhaps this author has other titles that don't focus so much on the interaction between multiple cats.

The reader learns all about cat behavior from why they sit in a particular spot, how to tell if they're annoyed, why and how both male and females spray, and most importantly, how to correct/change their behaviors and how to make your cats feel safe, happy, and secure so that they exhibit fewer undesirable behaviors.

I read this with my mother and we were AMAZED at all the stuff we didn't know, and there were answers to every question we had and every problem we had ever had with our cats was explained. Unfortunately, however, you WILL learn that cats are not low-maintenance and easier to care for than dogs. Johnson-Bennett believes that this myth has caused suffering among cats nationwide, and sadly, I am part of that camp. I didn't realize that so much work was required to raise my cats, and they have now become more like a part-time job, but I will do what it takes. I see my cats (and my mom's) with new eyes; I understand everything they're doing and I'll be less upset or judgmental when they do things that upset me.

P.S. You also learn completely how to train cats with the clicker, both to change their unwanted behaviors and to do tricks, if you'd like!

I highly recommend reading this, and it's also an important one to purchase so that you have it as a reference when new issues occur (especially if you want to introduce a new cat or anything changes in your household).