The Encyclopedia of The Cat

by Michael Pollard

Written by a cat expert, The Encyclopedia of the Cat is a look at the fascinating world of cats. More than just a reference book, this is a lavishly illustrated and highly accessible encyclopedia telling every cat lover all they ever wanted to know about this most appealing of animals. From the significance of the cat to the Ancient Egyptians to the origination of the Birman and the Maine Coon, everything from history and anatomy; breeds and breeding; and grooming and showing is covered. The coverage of cat breeds gives detailed descriptions of the common cat to the less common Norwegian Forest cat. 1,000 photographs combine with the text, enabling all breeds to be quickly and easily identified. There is a compendium of cat care which will provide cat owners and owners-to-be with all the information they ever need to know about keeping these intriguing, fascinating, and mysterious animals. The encyclopedia is full of information and essential facts about the did you know that they Scottish Fold breed descends from a single folded0ear kitten that was noted in 1961 in Scotland; or that English scientist Sir Isaac Newton is credited with the invention of the cat flap? Cat-owners and cat-lovers alike will find a wealth of essential information on the world of cats in this all-encompassing encyclopedia.

Genres: Reference, Cats, Nonfiction, Animals

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Anthony McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of fascinating information, easy to read, beautiful photos and drawings to inform and admire.
Anyone who has a cat or is interested in these intriguing critters will love this book.
Pretty much a one-stop reference guide to all the various breeds and aspects of a cat's life which kept me pawing through all my nine lives. The little box of 'cat facts' which appear on every page are particularly interesting.
My alpha cat is featured on page 253!

[AℳY♔Queen of Fat cats♔Ain't no lie Baby Byebyebye]

I'm a magnet of Obese pets.

[Laura Hassebrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for anyone obsessed with felines -- although I imagine there are more up-to-date versions available. I used to take this with me everywhere.

[Nbb Ackley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a cat dork. I read this book in search of more knowledge. I knew most of the things inside, but it was still a fun read. If you are bored to death by non fiction, don't read this book.

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's everything about cats. It's a cat lover's dream. It's exactly what it says on the tin.

Why does this need a review?

Final Score: 4/5

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather repetitive. Way too much about cat shows. Lots of typos and other editing issues.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loves it !!!!

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Extremely outdated and, for North Americans and people who don't show cats, overwhelmingly British and cat-show oriented. A lot of the pictures I had seen before in a 1987 cat resource I have, making me wonder if British publishers really can't be bothered to find more up-to-date images? Some of the information was fresh from the 60s! Overall it reads like a resource from the 80s, and if it weren't for the 2003 publication date, I would be a lot more generous. No, do not use clapping your hands and yelling "no" as a training tool. No, your pet cat should never be allowed to roam freely outdoors. No, it is not foolishly eccentric to make your own cat food. Yes, your concerns about cat food are warranted. Ultimately, the item is not as described. Keep looking.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book has some interesting information about cats, I was very disturbed by the extensive breeding programs for some species. If a cat does not meet some "standard", it is labeled "faulty". What happens to all those cats, particularly ones that are so inbred.

[Savahannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative.

[A. R. C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT CATS!

[LA · Rating 3 out of 5]

UK-focused

[Bre ≧◡≦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots of good info:)

[Isla Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

it has 1000 pictures of every breed of cat!! its great just look at that cover. in love.

[Mary Ronan Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Encyclopedia of the Cat by Bruce Fogle. I've been paging through this book for a couple of years and finally got down to reading the text recently as well as looking at the splendid pictures. I don't usually notice the publisher of a book, but it's impossible not to be aware you're looking at a DK Publishing book, the quality is so outstanding.

I would like to get a kitten. Wilhelm, having spoken to Miss Darcy and Miss Woodhouse about this matter, says they do not. But I can dream about a blue Chartreaux, a seal point Exotic, or a sleek, lilac Havana Brown.

This is the book to inspire those dreams.

2012 No 30

[Briana Nesgoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am the cat type rather than that dog type. I love absolutely adore cats. So, obviously I recommend this to all cat lovers. Even though I do not have my own cat, I found this very informational and a usable source for when ever I could get a cat of my own. Before I read this book, I did not know there was such thing as a cat that likes to swim. I found out the Turkish Van and the Turkish Angora love to swim. I find that interesting. So, to sum it all up this provides a vast amount of information of cats.

[Kaitlin]

This book helped me learn everything I needed to know when I got my cat a year ago. It's helped me with little things like, how to clean out her ears and big things like when she had an eye infection. I am a big cat lover and this book has given me ample resources to buff up on my cat knowledge. It is also just a fun book to look through. One of the things I love most is looking through it to see what different breeds are like.

[Vanessa]

This book was okay...although I admit I didn't read every single page. I basically skipped the whole cat show and pedigree breed sections. I learned a few things but nothing life changing. I believe this book was published in London. There were a few words that I didn't know like "cattery", I never did figure out what that was. Also, a lot of the stats came from the UK.

All in all it wasn't horrible.

[Fyodor Vishnya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, very enjoyable and funny cat pictures