The Handbook for a Happy Cat

Speak Their Language, Decode Their Quirks, and Meet Their Needs—So They’ll Love You Back!

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org
*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Nov 30 2021 | Archive Date Nov 23 2021

Talking about this book? Use #HandbookforaHappyCat #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

This file is NOT currently available for Kindle. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have difficulties with downloading, please email us (at publicity@theexperimentpublishing.com) for assistance or leave a note in lieu of a review rating.

A standout easy-reference guide to cat care and psychology—filled with irresistible photos!

One reason cats fascinate us is that they are so unlike us: Their ears, more than eyes, show their feelings. On our laps, they are purring lovebugs; on the prowl, they are fearsome apex predators—with territorial instincts to match. This makes it hard for us humans to understand our cats as well as we love them. Thank goodness feline behaviorist Liesbeth Puts is here to help! 120 color photos throughout set this ahead of the competitionAbundant subheads steer readers to the answers they seek (“Can I convert an outside cat to inside?”)Chapters on bonding and rivalry among cats, stopping problem behaviors, surefire toys and games, when to see the vet, caring for older cats, and more!

This file is NOT currently available for Kindle. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have difficulties with downloading, please email us (at publicity@theexperimentpublishing.com) for...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781615197101
PRICE $16.95 (USD)
PAGES 224

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)

Average rating from 35 members


Featured Reviews

This is a great book for cat lovers. It has beautiful pictures in it. It gives thoughtful answers to common questions of cat owners.

Was this review helpful?

I found this book very useful, as I recently got my cat Rocket, who is my first pet. It goes in to a lot of details about what you need to know. I actually wish I had read the book before I got her. It’s extremely helpful for anyone who has never had a cat before.

Was this review helpful?

"A Handbook for a Happy Cat" is very informative with concrete suggestions presented in an engaging and friendly manner. From choosing a cat, litter box and feeding tips, signs that a cat is ill or in pain, and how to interpret your cat's behavior and body language, "The Handbook for a Happy Cat" provides important information to help your feline family thrive. Interspersed are great photos of adorable cats and what's better than that?.

Was this review helpful?

A breezy and informative read for (current or future) cat owners. Lots of good, scientific advice and a good reference list. I especially liked the handy checklist at the end.

Was this review helpful?

"The Handbook for a Happy Cat" is must-read for all the catlovers out there!
For the past 10 years I´ve been sharing my life with my two furry roommates. I thought I was probably doing most of the things right, but I actually learned a lot - from the optimal placement of the food dish to tips to get my scaredy cat used to the vacuum cleaner.
The "Happy Cat Checklist" was a great help in having the most important information in a clear overview.

Thank you NetGalley, Liesbeth Puts and The Experiment for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A very nicely presented guide to living with a cat, and how to care for them - simplistic in places, with lots of glossy photos taking up space on the page. It gives a good overview, and I really liked the checklist at the end, which summarised things nicely.

Was this review helpful?

As a cat lover and caretaker, I can't speak highly enough of this book. It is a must to have on your shelf. It answers so many questions for a catowner. How to deal with a feral cat you might adopt, how to keep your cat clean, what different emotions mean for your cat. The photographs add so much to this book. If you have this one, it will be read again and again.

Was this review helpful?

An excellent resource for cat owners, both old and new to the game. Clearly the author has devoted a great deal of effort to provide concise, accurate knowledge fir cat lovers. The up to date information, such as the reason for the purr, is noted. There is an abundance of decoding within these pages. Excellent gift for a new, or used cat-owner.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great resource for someone who has never had a cat but wants to get one. It has lots of information but more than once the book explains something then turns around and almost contradicts itself. Example: ...cats do this when they're scared (or it could mean that they're really happy). So sometimes it seems that the book should have just said "we don't know why this happens but here's what it could be.

Other than that its a fine book for newbie cat owners but veterans (and veterinarian heh) can skip this.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great short book on some really important points on how to be a great cat parent. Some cat parents may already know much of what is in this book, but it's good to have the information collected all together. For new cat caregivers, this is an invaluable resource. It should be available at adoption locations! Your meowy friend deserves the best, and this book will provide the roadmap for providing such.
The book does also a great job of handling what to do when introducing a new cat, or how to handle multiple cats in one house. This is something that is vital- often people have more than one cat and don't follow the proper procedure to make sure their furbabies are stress free.
A great go to book!

Was this review helpful?

This book is by far the most definitive and easy to use book I've read about cats and who they are as a nation and as our companions. So many of the chapters nailed my current and past cats to a tee. It was readable and easily referenced.

Was this review helpful?

As a cat owner with multiple fur babies, I am constantly doing research of some type to try to fix problems within my furry household. This book really delves into issues cats have, and does a great job of doing so.

Was this review helpful?

A great must-have read for Cat owners and lovers alike! This book has the perfect balance between too little and too much information. I've had cats since I was a young girl and consider myself somewhat of a kitty-whisperer and there was still some great info here that was new to me - plus important reminders on other things as well as great anecdotal extras and facts. The Photography is GORGEOUS.

Like I said above a must have/read for kitty owners and lovers alike. I kept taking screen shots of certain portions and sending to my cat owner friends. Definitely a book I will be buying for myself as well as for friends - the perfect gift this holiday season for the cat lover in your life!

**Thank you so much to NetGalley and The Experiment Books for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!**

Was this review helpful?

This review is for The Handbook for A Happy Cat: Speak Their Language, Decode Their Quirks, and Meet Their Needs—So They’ll Love You Back! by Liesbeth Puts. It will be published in late November by The Experiment. I received an electronic copy on NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.

Pub Date: November 9, 2021
Publisher: The Experiment
Genres: Pet, Home & Lifestyle, Leisure, Animals

Summary:
A standout easy-reference guide to cat care and psychology—filled with irresistible photos!
One reason cats fascinate us is that they are so unlike us: Their ears, more than eyes, show their feelings. On our laps, they are purring lovebugs; on the prowl, they are fearsome apex predators—with territorial instincts to match. This makes it hard for us humans to understand our cats as well as we love them.

Review
Right off the bat, the cover is enticing. Look at those beautiful blue eyes on that sweet baby! I love my cats, and I already think I'm in tune with their behavior. Yet, I'd love to read more about them, especially considering you never know what sort of circumstance you can find yourself in one day.

The book begins with a chapter about basic elements of dealing with cats -- their personalities, behavior, basic tenants like grooming or sleeping (things cat owners are probably familiar with!). Then it moves into cats dealing with other pets and cats, cats dealing with the home (litterbox, sleeping, eating, etc. This is followed by dealing with interactions between yourself and the cat -- humans and the cat. Importantly, a dedicated section to both training and health follows these chapters.

The information is straightforward. It is a great overview that would be a good foundational start for someone who is embarking on taking on their first pet. Perhaps it isn't necessarily news to the seasoned cat owner that cats vary in personality type or how to get them to use the litterbox. But if you come across a problem, it's probably in the book or online either way.

One side benefit from this book is the layout and high quality photos. They're very cute, but they also can be informative when necessary, such as when depicting cat behaviors such as "angry hissing" or tail swooshes.

If you want to have a browse, you won't be disappointed if you're a cat lover.

Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49150917-the-handbook-for-a-happy-cat

Was this review helpful?

anyone that loves cats can benefit from a book with a way to understand your feline better. I learned a few new tricks to keep my cats happy. There's is a bit about training, yes, you can train a cat! I enjoyed learning and acknowledging behaviors I see in my pets.

Was this review helpful?

Princess Fuzzypants here: I am happy to report that I have trained my humans well. Except for the occasional mistake ( they are only human!) I am treated the way I should be. Good staff are essential for a happy cat and just in case there are humans who do not have the stellar remedial training that I offer, this book is a handy little tome to tell them what we want and what we need.

I was quite surprised that even an old pro,(a very old pro) like my Momma picked up some hints. I could tell when she made that little noise of comprehension. I am glad to report, however, that the book does allow us some secrets still. We would never want the humans to have all the answers. Where would the mystery be? Where would the fun be/. *Wicked laugh*

It is well presented and clearly written and full of facts and information. However, I might suggest that any felines who wish to keep their humans in “the dark”, you may wish to skim the book before allowing your human to read it. One should always err on the side of caution. However, I still will give it five purrs and two paws up.

Was this review helpful?

This is a great book for cat lovers. It is beautifully illustrated and provides information about common cat behaviors as well as practical advice about how to deal with behaviors that may be less than desirable. In my opinion, as someone who has lived with multiple cats for decades, the author covered just about all of the issues that may arise during a human-cat relationship. She was very thorough. The book is intelligently written while remaining very readable and entertaining. The author also includes references to scientific studies about cat behavior to back up her discussion and suggestions.
I would recommend this book to anyone who already has a cat and to those who are considering bringing a cat into their household.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Written by a cat behaviorist, this book gives solid advice in short chapters that will be helpful for cat owners.

Was this review helpful?

The Handbook for a Happy Cat is a very nice handbook for raising cats. It doesn't matter if you've never had a cat, or you've lived your whole live surrounded by them, you'll most probably find something new/interesting or a good tip inside.
I really enjoyed how the book tackles everything, from what a cat *is*, through food, sleep, play, health, and of course noting all the basics on health. It felt complete and yet so easy to read and it made me excited for when I can get a cat again.
I recommend the book to anyone who has cat(s) and feels like they might have a some questions or need tips, and also to people who wish to adopt, but don't know where to start with preparations.

*Thanks to NetGalley and The Experiment for providing me with an free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.*

Was this review helpful?

The Handbook for a Happy Cat is also a handbook for a happy cat owner! An informative, well-written book. I have to admit, the pictures made it a lot more enjoyable to read. Would recommend for any friend to cats.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and The Experiment for an eARC of Liesbeth Puts very handy guide for cats. As a new cat owner, I found this book extremely helpful in decoding my cat’s behaviors. I’m also Googling the meaning of my cat’s strange behaviors, and I feel like everybody on the Internet has an opinion about certain things cats do. “If a cat moves the tail into a question mark, they are feeling like this.” “If your cat slaps their tail three times instead of four, they are angry.” Honestly, I find it all confusing. Thankfully, Liesbeth is a certified cat behavioral specialist, and her book is a definitive guide to cat life. No more searching the Internet for answers, I can reference this book! Can’t wait to have the print version.

I really enjoyed the scientific background research in the book. I learned a lot of interesting facts and cat stuff to look out for!

Was this review helpful?

Subtitle: Speak Their Language, Decode Their Quirks, and Meet Their Needs – So They’ll Love You Back!

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publish through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I read several books on cat behavior after we adopted our shelter cat, Trixie, back in 2019. In multiple ways, I believe this book is the best I have read on the topic. Instead of unquestioned repeating of unproven beliefs about cats and their behavior, this one references actual scientific studies. As a bonus, there are many striking, full-color pictures of cats and kittens illustrating the book.


Author Puts, an internationally certified cat behaviorist based in the Netherlands, discussed common cat behaviors and fears, often laying out specific steps to help improve the lives of not only cats but their humans as well. For example, Trixie is intensely afraid of our vacuum cleaner. The book lays out a specific plan to help alleviate that fear.

I gave The Handbook for a Happy Cat five stars on Goodreads. I recommend it to cat owners who want to improve their relationships with their cats and help them lead a more enriching and satisfying life.

Was this review helpful?

Do you have a cat? You'll want this book because no matter how many cats you've lived with, they'll come up with a behavior that will make you wonder what's up.

Worth the price for just the discussion of whisker fatigue!

Was this review helpful?

This is a useful resource for cat custodians, whether new or old. There is a lot of information delivered in short and easily digestible chapters. My cats approve of the improvements it helped me make.

Was this review helpful?

A great guide to cat parenting! The photos are absolutely adorable, and the information provided in fresh and empowering. A must-have for any cat lover.

Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: