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The Complete Cat's Meow: Everything You Need to Know about Caring for Your Cat
Cat Writers’ Association Muse Medallion, Books - Health and General Care category
About.com Readers’ Choice Award, Best Book about Cat Care The all-in-one resource for cat owners Do you consider cats valued members of the family? Do you want to ensure you're giving your beloved feline friend the very best possible care? Then this all-in-one, comprehensive cat care guide is for you! From grooming to litter box issues to nutrition and much more, The Complete Cat's Meow covers all the bases to raising and caring for kitties. It also shows you how to introduce a new kitten to other pets, handle behavioral problems, and make life comfortable for cats of all ages. Whether you're a veteran cat owner or thinking about adding a feline to your family, The Complete Cat's Meow is your one-stop guide to comprehensive cat care.
- GenresCatsNonfiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2011
About the author
Darlene Arden
13 books19 followersDarlene Arden is an award-winning writer and author whose work covers a wide range of topics from her specialty of pet writing to travel, women’s issues, and celebrity profiles. Arden lectures widely on Toy and Small dogs, Wellness for pets including nutrition, training and behavior. She also facilitates canine musical freestyle dance movement workshops, including music selection. She is a learning facilitator in the Dog Training and Management Program at Kutztown University. She is also an experienced television producer/host, and a lively guest expert on various radio and television programs.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 30, 2011
Darlene Arden’s THE COMPLETE CAT’S MEOW really is everything you need to know about your cat. Say you’ve had cats all your life and believe you know all about adopting and caring for a cat. Wanna bet?
For instance, did you know a group of cats is called a clowder? I didn’t. I also didn’t realize that not all vaccines are good or necessary. But which are which? Can your cat catch your cold or vice versa? Can you teach your cat not to scratch furniture? Darlene’s book answers all your questions in simple language and logical order.
Here's a genuine recommendation and example from me. If I’d had Darlene’s book several years ago, I could have spotted problems and prolonged the life (with quality) of my late pet, Miss Delilah Sue Kitty. Delilah died of renal failure, which I would have spotted when it could have been treated if I’d had a copy of THE COMPLETE CAT’S MEOW. But Delilah was sixteen, and I simply thought she was old and had kitty dementia that made her forget where the litter box was. (Unfortunately, she chose the dining room carpet instead, and we still can’t get the smell out.) The vet told us renal failure is the number one killer of elderly cats.
Darlene covers every aspect of cat ownership from before a kitten is born to caring for the elderly cat. Those of us who already have cats realize that each has its own personality and needs. By reading this book, we can meet our pets needs to provide them high quality long lives.
For instance, did you know a group of cats is called a clowder? I didn’t. I also didn’t realize that not all vaccines are good or necessary. But which are which? Can your cat catch your cold or vice versa? Can you teach your cat not to scratch furniture? Darlene’s book answers all your questions in simple language and logical order.
Here's a genuine recommendation and example from me. If I’d had Darlene’s book several years ago, I could have spotted problems and prolonged the life (with quality) of my late pet, Miss Delilah Sue Kitty. Delilah died of renal failure, which I would have spotted when it could have been treated if I’d had a copy of THE COMPLETE CAT’S MEOW. But Delilah was sixteen, and I simply thought she was old and had kitty dementia that made her forget where the litter box was. (Unfortunately, she chose the dining room carpet instead, and we still can’t get the smell out.) The vet told us renal failure is the number one killer of elderly cats.
Darlene covers every aspect of cat ownership from before a kitten is born to caring for the elderly cat. Those of us who already have cats realize that each has its own personality and needs. By reading this book, we can meet our pets needs to provide them high quality long lives.
March 26, 2012
THE COMPLETE CAT’S MEOW
Superb Resource for Cat Owners and Cat Owners to Be!
I’ve been a cat mom most of my life, and with all that I know, and all that I’ve learned, Darlene Arden’s The Complete Cat’s Meow taught me so much more.
This is a terrific, easy-to-read book that covers nearly everything one could want to know about owning a cat: including but not limited to: choosing the right kitten or cat, creating a safe, healthy environment, training your cat, understanding cat behavior, recognizing (and preventing) illnesses and health issues, addressing litter box issues, introducing animals to one another, dispelling common myths about cats, learning about different breeds, and so much more.
For the person who is getting a cat for the first time, this is a book that will leave you feeling very confident that you have the knowledge to provide the healthiest and happiest home possible. For those who have had cats for many years, this book is a great refresher for what you do know and likely holds much information you probably don’t know.
Author Darlene Arden has written a great reference book that is a delight to read straight through and to keep on your shelf as a reference book afterward. I highly recommend this book for all cat owners present and future. =^.^=
Superb Resource for Cat Owners and Cat Owners to Be!
I’ve been a cat mom most of my life, and with all that I know, and all that I’ve learned, Darlene Arden’s The Complete Cat’s Meow taught me so much more.
This is a terrific, easy-to-read book that covers nearly everything one could want to know about owning a cat: including but not limited to: choosing the right kitten or cat, creating a safe, healthy environment, training your cat, understanding cat behavior, recognizing (and preventing) illnesses and health issues, addressing litter box issues, introducing animals to one another, dispelling common myths about cats, learning about different breeds, and so much more.
For the person who is getting a cat for the first time, this is a book that will leave you feeling very confident that you have the knowledge to provide the healthiest and happiest home possible. For those who have had cats for many years, this book is a great refresher for what you do know and likely holds much information you probably don’t know.
Author Darlene Arden has written a great reference book that is a delight to read straight through and to keep on your shelf as a reference book afterward. I highly recommend this book for all cat owners present and future. =^.^=
April 8, 2014
Darlene Arden’s book, The Complete Cat’s Meow, is packed with everything you need to know about sharing your life with a cat. From selecting a kitten, to understanding the needs of an older feline, the author has created a roadmap that addresses all the questions a cat lover could possibly have. She speaks in a genuine voice that is easy to understand and often brims with humor.
In addition to all the practical advice, the book is filled with fascinating tidbits of information. Did you know that cats purr at a frequency that facilitates healing in people, or that cats rarely meow at other cats? That sound is usually reserved for chatting with humans. I also loved a section called Shopping for Your Cat, with links to many useful — and fun — items to keep your fabulous feline happy and healthy.
Whether you are beginning your first adventure with a kitty, or have enjoyed the company of many cats over the years, The Complete Cat’s Meow should be on every cat lover’s bookshelf. It’s a wonderful book!
In addition to all the practical advice, the book is filled with fascinating tidbits of information. Did you know that cats purr at a frequency that facilitates healing in people, or that cats rarely meow at other cats? That sound is usually reserved for chatting with humans. I also loved a section called Shopping for Your Cat, with links to many useful — and fun — items to keep your fabulous feline happy and healthy.
Whether you are beginning your first adventure with a kitty, or have enjoyed the company of many cats over the years, The Complete Cat’s Meow should be on every cat lover’s bookshelf. It’s a wonderful book!
September 1, 2012
If you own a cat, you must own this book! It is an invaluable resource.
February 23, 2013
Very thorough, a bit intimidating for the novice. So much to worry about!
November 19, 2022
If you are a cat owner but having no idea how to deal with your kitty or you want to have your own cat someday , then this book is for you . As a cat owner i find it an informative book in a level where you get to know your kitty very well and get connected to it , from the eye gaze to observing her body language , for example When your cat looks at you and slowly blinks her eyes, it’s known as kitty kisses , it means she trusts you .This information was new to me when i read it but I was delighted cause my kitty does this all the time :) , anyway a very useful book covers everything from where you can bring a kitty to how you take care of her and more !
July 19, 2018
A great first book if you are a new cat owner or considering getting one. Mostly filled with what I already knew. A few new ideas on managing introductions of new cats into the home, which is what I needed.
May 1, 2023
Got everything and general stuff about cats.........
March 26, 2017
Like everything she ever wrote, Darlene's "Complete Cat's Meow" was done with integrity, deep personal knowledge and experience, impeccable research and an abiding love for animals, especially cats. I have personally consulted this book countless times about issues with my own cats, and ultimately gave it to someone else who needed its wisdom more than I. We're all lucky Darlene chose to share her expertise with the world, and sadly, there will be no more of it, since she passed on in February 2017 from ovarian cancer. Her passing will leave a huge whole in the animal care world.
October 31, 2015
3.5 stars, really.
Interesting? Yes, quite. The author has a nice voice, and I learned some things. However, really wish she'd cite her sources and/or give more complete information for the interesting scientific tidbits. Too, this read like she was basing the book off her experience with her one personal cat, and otherwise sort of coalescing a couple other books she'd read.
Interesting? Yes, quite. The author has a nice voice, and I learned some things. However, really wish she'd cite her sources and/or give more complete information for the interesting scientific tidbits. Too, this read like she was basing the book off her experience with her one personal cat, and otherwise sort of coalescing a couple other books she'd read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews