Cats Behaving Badly: Why Cats Do the Funny Things They Do

by Celia Haddon

Cats that insist on drinking from a tooth mug, cats that take their owners on (slow) walkies, cats with saggy tummy syndrome and cats that will only eat if their owners lie flat on the kitchen floor and say 'Yum yum yum' over the food these are some of the amusing dilemmas addressed by bestselling author Celia Haddon in this gem of a book. Drawing on her years of experience as a pet agony aunt on the pages of the Daily Telegraph, the author has advice for fat cats, faddy cats, food weirdo cats - and their humans - in this charming, light-hearted and well informed book. She unravels the mysteries of cat behaviour and dispenses tips and advice to help readers make their cat very happy indeed. Underpinned by up-to-date scientific research, this book is full of real cat stories and true owner dilemmas. It adds up to indispensable reading for cat lovers everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cats, Animals, True Story

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

"I have loved animals from as far back as I can remember", writes Celia Haddon. "As a child, I realised that some animals suffered at the hands of ignorant humans. To right this I have published several books about cats. Cats make me laugh. We humans don't really understand them, though. If we did, they would have a happier life.

For 20 years I wrote about companion animals (pets) for the Daily Telegraph. For 12 of these years I was a pet agony aunt and dealt with about 100,000 letters. My aim was to improve animals' lives by giving good information - and, with luck, to make my readers laugh at the same time.

I have also written several daily quotation books, now out of print, and a history of the first English Olimpick Games in 1612 - now republished in Kindle. My latest cat is Tilly and my latest cat book is Tilly: the Ugliest Cat in the Shelter. It tells the story of how I rescued Tilly from 18 months without adoption; and how she rescued me in the darkest moment of my life.

Tilly tweets at http://twitter.com/TillyUgliestCat

My former cat George lives on digitally and advises other cats how to train humans at http://george-online.blogspot.com

My website with useful animal behaviour information is www.catexpert.co.uk

- from Amazon

Reviews

[Maegan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have never disagreed more strongly with a book on cat care. Cats do not need to go outside. I'm sure this is a cultural difference; evidently in Great Britain it is encouraged to allow them to go out. But the author freely admits that this may lead to a shorter life span, and even related a tale where she went looking for a cat that she never found again.
I couldn't stand that.
The only thing I agreed with was putting crinkly paper in the bottom of a box so the cat likes to play in it.

[cellomerl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little how-to book with kind of an unfortunate, dorky title. There's more to this book than just bad behaviour and how to fix it, including nice anecdotes and general cat care tips.
Cat lovers will enjoy this book. I don't agree with everything the author says, but for the most part it's an amusing, light read with a few illustrations. Definitely worth reading if you need a few tips, and even if your cat isn't any problem to care for.
Interestingly the general theme is that cats should be free to go outside as they wish, which is unusual in Canada where I think most (urban or suburban) cats are indoors...especially since harsh wintertime, fast traffic and four-legged predators tend to put an end to them quickly.

[Wouter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me smile and chuckle a lot, and that's the only reason it got 4 stars. The personal cat-tales of cat-owners are simply hilarious and most of the time, as a cat-owner myself, I can relate - that's the best part. I now know a little bit more about cat behavior, but not much. It's not really scientificly explained how and why, but I didn't expect that this book would do such a thing.
Don't expect too much, it's entertaining and it's a quick read, reviews here are a bit harsh to my opinion.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of fluff, occasionally funny - sort of like a kitten!

[Neve · Rating 5 out of 5]

yay this was so cute!
I feel so equipped to to adopt a lil baby someday, I feel like I understand their behaviour so much more than when I've read other cat behaviour books, although, I don't feel prepared for if they start spraying up the walls

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early thoughts: I sure hope I can get through this book. I want to learn more about my cat, but the author is coming off less as a felinophile and more as a mysocanine. Why can't we all just get along?

Okay, I finally got sick and had the time to finish this book. The mysocaninity faded after the first part of the book and didn't resurface until the end, when she was concluding why cats are so loved. I did get a lot of useful tips on cat care in this book.. many things I didn't know that are going to help me care for my cat.

I didn't follow most of the authors feelings about how great cats are, why we love cats, etc. She does say that cats tend to like non-cat people best because many cat people want more affection from their cats than the cats are willing to give. My cat gets plenty of attention (probably too much) from my kids, but every morning he insists that I pet him as part of our morning routine.

Overall, this was an informative book, but with an intended audience of cat lovers. A lot of the wording could be patched up a bit and it wouldn't turn off dog people.

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had no idea that there was such a difference between British cats and American cats, but this book really brought home that the difference is vast. Well, not in the cats themselves, but in the behavior expectations. In England, it is expected that your cats will be indoor/outdoor and it is considered cruel to keep them as indoor only pets.
Therefore, a lot of this book was about how to keep your cat from rehoming themselves, and how to add more cats to your household.
The stories were cute and I learned a bit about cat physiology, but I have to admit two things: 1) none of my cat's bad behavior was addressed (except for a fleeting mention of chewing on electrical cords, and I've forgotten the advice) and 2) I am not getting up early to hide my cat's food around the house so he can "hunt" it. Sorry.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Normally im not a an of Non-Fiction Books but this one was so good and easy to read!!

This book was very helpful about caring for cats and what to do and what not to do when you have a cat as a pet.

I wish id read this book before now cause its very imformative and helpful about food, toys, grooming etc with cats!!

A Must read for anyone wanting a cat or kitten and not knowing where to start, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!!

[Dane Cobain · Rating 3 out of 5]

My main problem with this book is that the entire thing felt like one long advertisement for Feliway. It felt like that was the answer to one half of the questions and the answer to the other half was to rehome your cat. Celia Haddon, the book’s author, is a cat agony aunt, and while she does offer a fair amount of good advice in this book, it also gets pretty repetitive. and I felt as though some of the questions could have been combined or removed altogether.

Still, if you can get past that then it’s a decent enough reference book, and you can’t say that it’s not comprehensive. It covers pretty much every area you could ask for including questions about breeding cats or caring for specific injuries or illnesses. I read it from cover to cover though, and I guess that’s not really how it’s designed to be read.

All in all, it was okay, and it pretty much lived up to the low expectations that I had for it. I’m not sure if I’d necessarily recommend it though, even to other cat owners. Even the anecdotes of the cats that Haddon has met fell a little flat. There was just something about it that stopped me from engaging with it, and that’s a shame. Maybe I just already know enough about our furry feline friends.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book should be read by cat guardians as we know cats don't have owners. The book is pretty informative & gives alot of information that is super useful. The only thing is since this author is from the UK, that means that the way things are done there is actually different than here in the US. We generally don't think it's a good idea to let your cats be outdoors unless they're barn cats or live in the country. That is probably the biggest thing I would disagree on. This isn't just about cats who behave badly but how to figure out why it's happening & how to fix it or at least acknowledge the issue to determine how to remedy it. It's really important to understand animal behavior, just because we domesticated these pets, doesn't mean we understand them completely or even at all. People need to do their due diligence for their pet, no matter what which means paying attention. give this book a read so you can do better by your cat, they will thank you for it, or actually, they won't but they will hopefully be happier.

[Matthew Eyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another B & B bookcase lick, truly I really would read something rather than nothing As a big cat lover myself, I didn't find anything I didn't already know But I will repeat, how utterly bizarre is the concept of an indoors only cat What next? A prime minister who never read his official papers, Eton and a Oxford educated merchant bankers railing against elites, tabloid newspapers printing things they know to be untrue, politicians celebrating the passing of legislation to keep children hungry and pe sionsrs cold, privatised ulility companies paying huge salaries, bonuses and dividends while belching raw sewage onto our rivers and sea Shurely some mishtakr here, ad Bill Deedes used to say So yes, indoor cats do seem to be a thong...

[Annburnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting information in this book. It helps you to start thinking about what is best for your cat and things you can do to help improve problems you may have over time. It also gives you a look at how your cat doesn't think like the human counterpart.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is actually a really useful book even though it's from the UK. Will give some of the suggestions a try.

[Antonio Meridda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un bel libro, pieno di esempi pratici su come gestire i gatti e vivere con loro una relazione felice.

[Kai Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting information and an enjoyable read except it is in desperate need of a proofreader. It's not just typos, words are missing.

[Mason Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

very logical, easy to understand and useful book, I’d recommend anyone thinking about getting a cat (or who has one already) reads this book first.

[Lora Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got Cats Behaving Badly through Kindle Unlimited in an effort to see if there was anything I could do to cope with some of the issues I was having with my elderly cat. It turns out that by the time I started trying to find out, it was probably too late anyway. I had to have him put to sleep not long after that.

The book, however, was quite entertaining and informative in other ways. It tells, for example, how to socialize a kitten so it will cause fewer problems later in life. It also discusses how to select a cat, and how to select multiple cats so that they will get along with each other. It seems that sometimes if two cats dislike each other seriously enough, the only useful solution is to get rid of one of them. There are all kinds of useful tips and suggestions here. It would have been more useful if I had this book fifty years ago.

The book also contains a lot of brief stories of people’s unusual experiences with their cats. Many of these are quite funny.

I have suspected for years that I never had enough money to properly take care of a cat, and now I know that for sure.

One thing I found less than useful about the book is that its author is from the UK. This is not a problem of course if you and your cat are also from the UK or another country with a similar culture surrounding cats. But it seems that there are more opportunities for feral and farm cats in the UK, and a greater proportion of owners can allow their cats to have cat doors so they can come and go at will, among other things.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Check out http://www.infinitereads.com for other reviews and sundry thoughts!*

Have you ever wondered why your cat nips you unexpectedly? Has she suddenly decided that she doesn't want to use her litter box? Or are you wondering how to add a second feline to your household without a bona fide catfight? In her 11 years as a "pet agony aunt" for the Daily Telegraph, cat expert Celia Haddon (The Joy of Cats) gave answers to these predicaments and many more; her wisdom has now been collected in Cats Behaving Badly.

Despite the title, accusing your cat of behaving badly will not get you far with Haddon, who explains that most cats who misbehave from the human point of view are, from the feline perspective, doing exactly what they feel is right. The trick to modifying their behavior lies in understanding its triggers and motivations. With a knowledgeable, approachable voice, Haddon shows readers the cat's view of the world and gives simple solutions for common dilemmas as well as explanations. Beyond problem solving, Haddon also addresses issues such as the proper socialization of kittens, whether shy cats can ever become outgoing and how to make life easier for older cats. Sidebars offer humorous real-life anecdotes about the exploits of cats Haddon has known.

While this British book does not always reflect American sensibilities--for example, a strictly indoor cat is considered a deprived individual in the U.K.--cat owners of any nationality are sure to enjoy Haddon's friendly words of wisdom.

***This review originally appeared in Shelf Awareness Readers Edition. Sign up for this free and awesome newsletter at http://www.shelf-awareness.com for the latest news and reviews! This review refers to an ARC provided by Shelf Awareness.***

[Sean Goh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this book for breadth of exposure, learnt a bit. Still targeted at the cat-owner/lover though.

Cats have the instincts of a separate but equal individual. This individuality is their (genetic) inheritance.

Cats need to hunt, and if they have no chance to do so, some will start behaving badly in painful ways towards their humans.

To feel safe cats must have a familiar home territory, it must smell safe and reassuring. New is frightening.

For cats to maybe become comfortable with close contact, they have to be handled during the window of socialisation (2nd-7th week of kitten life). After this their fear instincts kick in.

Scratching is a cat's way of marking territory through smell (scent glands in between paws)

Choose a cat based on temperament and behaviour, not looks or colour.

Cats are not group animals. Keeping more than one cat in a (small) home is usually a recipe for disaster. They are not sociable like humans.

Cats love people who dislike cats because they have excellent feline manners. They don't go up to a cat and start stroking him, they just ignore him until the cat itself jumps on their lap.

Cats can have roaming territory as large as forty-two acres.

Cats much prefer vertical space (think cats in trees) over horizontal space.

The great cat-shopping truth: the more expensive the cat toy, the less the cat will want to play with it.

Cats like eating little and often - nibble eating. They will have about 16-18 snacks a day.

The moment a dog is allowed to chase a cat, it will see the cat as prey. As far as possible don't keep them in the same place.

[Todd Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cats Behaving Badly is a book about cat behavior and methods for correcting unwanted behaviors. I picked up the book from the library on a whim, not because my cats are bad, but because I wanted a photo of them attempting to gnaw on the book (I thought that would be pretty funny). With that said, I did learn a few things about feline behavior although I have two criticisms.
1) Haddon advocates that all cats be outdoor animals and implies that your pet lives are significantly diminished by being kept indoors. Many reputable organizations, including the American Humane Society, approve of house-bound cats and there are environmental and health reasons that support keeping your pet indoors.
2) Haddon mentions the commercial synthetic cat pheromone Feliway about a hundred times throughout the book. I’m not sure if she is affiliated with the company or a paid spokesperson, but much of the book reads like a advertisement for the product.

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some interesting information on cats, especially what to do if your cat doesn't get along with another cat in your household.

The author is British, and in England it is considered very important that cats be allowed to go outside and hunt. I live in a city apartment in a very urban environment, my cat could not possibly go outside, so that made me feel like a bad cat owner. I have also been reading about how cats are helping to make several native species of birds go extinct here in the US. They aren't extinct yet, but they will be soon. So I have very mixed feelings about letting cats free to hunt. Still it was an enjoyable read, and had some useful information about entertaining your cat, and ways to get cats with urinary tract problems to drink more water, which I plan to try on my cat.

[Nia Nymue · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not particularly informative. It gives some very useful tips and insights but there are a lot of personal stories that doesn't add much apart from emphasising whatver point has been made. I'm not sure what the point is because careful readers aren't automatically going to assume these are credible or genuine accounts. Still, there are some important things that are written in the earlier parts of the book that all cat lovers and handlers should read to better understand cat psychology/ motivations. I wouldn't completely dismiss this book because I would also like a dog and there's some advice on introducing these two species to each other and how both can live together happily.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming from an animal behavior/science background, I was expecting this book to be more evidence-based and have solid references. Instead, it's more anecdote-based with a few pieces of advice from experts. Despite those shortcomings, it was a cute basic guide to cat behavior. Various chapters had great advice on typical cat behavior problems, enriching an indoor cat's life, and introducing new cats. My cats just turned 9 and there was a lot of material I read that made me think "man, I wish I had done that when we first got them at 4 months!"

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason I was under the impression that books about cat behavior didn't exist, so I was super surprised and pleased to find this one (and then all the others to which this one led). Unfortunately I can't give this book more than 2.5 stars because it felt like all the cats this author has known have been completely different from all the cats I've known, but I did take away a few tips that might help my three enemy cats be a bit more tolerant of each other (although they are already much more tolerant than the book suggests they should be). 2.5 stars

[Cathi95 · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Nonfiction 2010) Sometimes teaching, sometimes relating anecdotes. Sometimes things I have wondered about were explained, and sometimes she had no more idea than I do why they do the things they do. Either way, it kept me reading. Another interesting aspect of the book is that the author is English, giving a slightly different interpretation of cat behavior than the general American view. I really enjoyed reading this.

[Jeanne Grunert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but it isn't what I thought it would be. Instead of being a cat behavior problem solver, it's more like a detailed explanation of why cats behave as they do. It was interesting and well written but some sections were clearly written in the UK with hastily updated areas for USA readers, as well as a lot of repetition. All in all, both my 5 kitties and I give "two thumbs/four paws" up!

[Susan Wardzala]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to find out more about cat behavior patterns and this seems to meet the criteria. When I read it, I think that is what my cats are doing! Hope it stays this way as I just started it.

[Jinnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this over the course of a 12 hour travel day. A quick read, some good information. I'm not really a cat person but happen to be living with two of them so wanted some insight. I can't say I learned anything particularly new or insightful but it was a pleasant enough read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew everything there was to know about cats after all tehse years but I was mistaken. Lots of good information here. Most important takeaway: cats are completely unlike dogs, completely unlike us. We have to accept them as themselves.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really good and helpful information, some I'm not quite so sure of. I'd like to read another cat behaviorist take on why and how cats behave to compare. I'll definitely use the part about introducing a new cat when the time comes.