The Total Cat: Understanding Your Cat's Physical and Emotional Behavior from Kitten to Old Age

by Carole Wilbourn

Hailed as "the founding mother of cat psychology," Carole Wilbourn has received international attention for her feline expertise. With her emphasis on treating the total cat, the "Wilbourn Ways" to a healthy cat follow the guiding principles of the ancient Greeks -- a sound mind in a sound body. Wilbourn explains how to talk to your cat -- and how to listen. She provides tools that can help you recognize, understand, and respond to your cat's body language, vocalization, and facial expressions -- the keys to your cat's behavior. Wilbourn addresses specific situations that may develop with even the best-cared-for feline. You will learn how to detect the underlying causes to your cat's problem behavior -- whether yours is antisocial, self-destructive, or an overly aggressive "attack cat" -- and you'll receive invaluable guidance on everything from your cat's eating disorders and litter box aversion to its phobias and depression. Whether you're introducing a new cat or person into your feline's environment or caring for an abused refugee, The Total Cat provides the insights necessary for understanding your cat at every stage of its life.

Genres: Cats, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kara]

I am almost done with it. Great insights into the psychology of cats that even I did not know.I definitely do not know everything. and cats are mysterious. Cats can feel things without even seeing them!
This is the best cat book written that I have seen.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unequal parts helpful advice and sheer lunacy; a two-starrer in conent, but easily redeemed in entertainment value.

[Tehila · Rating 2 out of 5]

The volume at my library was from 2000. While some of the info is out-of-date, much is still useful. If you use some common sense, it can be a good resource.

The book is well-written, and only took so long to finish because one of my cat won’t let me read.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the title, this book is more about the psychological side of the cat, rather than the physical, although the physical is certainly in there. The author of this book had been a cat therapist for more than 20 years at the time she wrote the book, so this is a natural for her. She discusses feline emotions and personalities, dealing with problem behaviors, introducing new members to the family- be they cats, dogs, babies or adults, and even socializing feral cats. It’s sound in most spots, but I had a couple of disagreements with her; one is the use of homeopathic remedies for fear and anxiety, which while harmless I don’t feel work; and her method of bringing a new kitten into the house with an existing cat which involves leaving the kitten alone in the house with the new kitten for several hours the first day, trusting the existing cat to take care of himself and the kitten. I feel that can be very traumatic for the kitten, who has not only a new cat to deal with but a new environment and a loss of it’s former family.

[Kim]

I actually got this for David (since the cats are officially his) but should probably at least skim it.

[Kara Merry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is how to read a book about cats and they need companionship a lot of it every day.