Understanding Cat Behavior: A Compassionate Guide to Training and Communication

by Beth Pasek

Learn to speak your cat’s language—practical tips and compassionate training tools for owners

Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you? Understanding Cat Behavior will give you deeper insight as to why your cat does what it does—and what you can do to manage its behavior. This complete guide is packed with information and compassionate training techniques that can help you improve your relationship with your four-legged friend through a comprehensive understanding of feline behavior.

From communication to playing, grooming, feeding, and beyond, you’ll find helpful knowledge about cat behavior at all stages of life, from kittens to seniors and all the wonderful years in between. Here’s everything you need to know to become the best cat parent you can be!

Understanding Cat Behavior

Behavioral basics—Explore information about typical cat behavior by age, sex, and breed, as well as historical context on their evolution and domestication. Training tricks—From teaching basic commands (high five, come along, up/down, etc.) to tackling problematic cat behavior (aggression, anxiety/fear, attention-seeking, etc.), you’ll find a wealth of humane training tools. Multi-cat methods—Discover practical pointers for multi-cat households, including how to introduce a new cat, keep the peace between cats and other animals, and more.

Get to know your cat better with Understanding Cat Behavior.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cats

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 4, 2020

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book! I have 2 cats that I've never had a problem with, literally until the day before I saw this book. Long story short, I had a cat get stuck in a tshirt and was so traumatized she flung herself down the stairs before I could get to her and help. For days she was growling and hissing and I just felt awful for her. This book is so genius and being able to learn to watch facial expressions and the type of meow.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've spent my life with cats. Sometimes they make delightful companions; sometimes they confuse me; sometimes they prove to be difficult housemates. I'm dealing with a cat of the third kind right now (though, to be honest, he's also a cat of the first and second kinds), so I requested a review copy of this title to see what it could teach me about Charlie. The main message is that he's probably dealing with fear and anxiety, that I need to study his responses to his environment and make adjustments until he becomes more relaxed.

The details in this book make for interesting reading, and the author includes short inserts telling the stories of specific cats she's known. There's some overlap in the contents, so I found myself moving quickly over some sections, then slowing down when I reached something entirely new.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes.

Will it help my relationship with Charlie? The jury's still out, but it definitely won't make things worse.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had cats most of my life, but I still learned quite a bit from this book. It is easy to read, understand, and gives good insight into cat behaviors.

I enjoyed how the author gave recommendations but also gave options on various products. This book did not come across as a "do this" or "don't do this" type of book, but explained the pros and cons of different foods, supplies and behavior modifications. My favorite part was the training exercises at the end of the book. Yes you can teach your cat tricks!

This is a great resource for all cat owners and one I will refer to time and time again.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son has a cat named Chadwick and his behaviors made me curious about cats in general. We've always had dogs - and so when my son got Chadwick and I had to cat sit him for the first time his behavior was absolutely baffling. This book provides a lot of insight and information on cats - very enlightening
and an enjoyable read. I liked this book so much that I bought a copy at Barnes & Noble for my son. Hopefully we will both develop an understanding of Chad and his weird ways!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this very interesting book!

[Maryellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy to read guide to exactly what the title states, Understanding Cat Behavior. They book is well organized and easy to read. I didn't find that it brought anything really new to the table or techniques that I haven't read/heard about before. Having said that, I think it would be a great resource for first time cat owners.

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best and most useful book on feline behavior I have ever read! And right at the moment when I am adopting a stray cat and introducing it to my house cats.
Understanding Cat Behavior is a very complete book, which illustrates each section with a real life case and how the desired behavior was achieved in the cat. The author even teaches us how to train our beloved felines with basic commands, using a clicker.
Highly recommended for those who want to adopt a feline companion for the first time or for those of us who already have cats at home and want to learn more about His Feline Majesty the Cat.
P.S.: I love the black cat on the cover! It was time for that tribute to the misunderstood black cats! He looks just like my blackies Luna and Rex!

[Ula Tardigrade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple, practical and down-to-earth manual for cat owners. It's a quick read and experienced cat people may regard some parts as pretty basic, but on the whole it covers a full range of topics essential to the feline wellbeing. I was very pleased with many advices, such as avoiding dry food or declawing. As long time owner of a cat and reader of many books about them, I can affirm the truth of Beth Pasek's words.

I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks about living with a cat or has one already, but doesn’t know much about the species and its needs.

Thanks to the publisher, Callisto Media, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was acquiring an active breed of cat when I brought my Bengal home but didn’t realize the incredible amount of energy, jumping, pouncing, and climbing I’d be experiencing from a young kitten! This book is well written with practical advice about how to substitute appropriate activities for unwanted behaviors. I also like the specific advice for toys and rewards for good behavior which add to the good advice my breeder gave me. I’m keeping this book close by for the next several months. It’s a godsend.

[Jennifer Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to get bite sized information on a myriad of common and more unusual cat concerns. There were times where I wished there were a bit more information on certain topics, but this book provided a good overview. I enjoyed the anecdotes sprinkled throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Pamela Spacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read, But....

This is an easy book to read and the pictures will tug at every date lovers heart. But her book seems to be aimed at people who have a lot of "disposable" income and lots of time to devote solely to your cat. For me, it was a good read, but the contents did not fit my particular lifestyle.

[Susan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Pasek presents a loving, respectful and easy way to understand the behavior and mind of a cat. This book is great for first time cat owners that will help you develop a bond and a long lasting relationship.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid, mostly basic cat info. Great photos and layouts too. Best of newer cat owners (or soon to be). The trick training info is nice bonus info. Recommended.

I really appreciate the review copy!!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty interesting

This book doesn't go over things in get detail but was still very informative. I didn't expect the cat training section, that was a very nice surprise and the cat expressions and such was very cool.

[Deborah Camuglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is helpful for beginner cat trainers and or new cat owners. However, the book automatically assumes your cat is an indoor cat. Therefore, the examples and such are catered to that. If you have an outdoor cat, it is still helpful.

[Maria Ornelas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informational and easy to read.

Loved that it was filled with specific examples :) it's a lot of useful and genuine information. I do wish it had photos since I am a visual learner primarily, but the thorough descriptions were extremely helpful.

[Korina Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still a neophyte cat mom. I needed so much information on how to do right by my cats, and this book delivered.

[Rachel Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Packed with useful information. Very good book. Highly recommend reading, especially the beginner cat owner! I found the training very useful.

[Annie Jarman · Rating 4 out of 5]

good, condensed guide

[Donna Goswick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

My guy is a special needs rescue with a gentle, loving demeanor. Still, he’s had a very difficult past and these tips were so valuable to us. Thank you!

[Gordomac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful, but not the most thorough or detailed cat manual out there. For a short and easily digestible introduction to cats it’s useful

[Lud Oliveira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bem interessante. Dá um panorama sobre o comportamento do gato. Eu senti falta de algumas especificidades, mas no geral foi uma leitura proveitosa.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful So-You-Adopted-a-Cat first book.

[RedGhost · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much new to me, beside 'don't turn off the lights when you're gone for the night, it can trigger the abandonment issues' and project / app about feline grimace scale which despite spending hundreds of hours on cat behaviour and medical topics I hear first time about. Definitely something that needs to be spread around!

For behaviour book I like cat whisperer much much more, since it's more systematic in approach and gives go-to steps to do.