Outsmarting Cats: How To Persuade The Felines In Your Life To Do What You Want

by Wendy Christensen

While cat owners adore their purring, fuzzy friends, cats can have another, rather unpleasant, side. Some pee on carpets, shred upholstery, chomp houseplants, caterwaul at all hours, and scratch and bite. Skeptics will claim that it’s impossible to train a cat. Happily, Wendy Christensen knows they’re wrong. True, cats are intelligent, adaptable, patient, independent, stubborn, observant, and extremely quick learners. But they're also remarkably self-interested and quick to exploit a good deal. Outsmarting Cats enables you to persuade your cat that what you want is also what she wants. Whatever your specific cat problem, Wendy Christensen gives all the latest information on what works, and what doesn't. She  shares tried-and-true tips and resources for resolving even the thorniest behavior problems. And she'll tell you how to head off future problems, simply by understanding how your cat thinks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cats, Animals

392 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

Reviews

[Justine Olawsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to read if you want to revel in the many idiosyncrasies and lovable quirks of our feline friends. It did not, however, tell me what I really wanted to know, which was: how do I keep my two Tabby kittens away from the Christmas tree? How can you write a book about outsmarting cats and include nothing about Christmas trees, ornaments, gifts, etc.? Luckily, our two kittens are little angels and are practically perfect in every way, so our tree went unmolested this past December.

I found the part about naming cats to be funny. The author suggests that, if your cat does not come when her name is called, perhaps she does not like her name, and you ought to try some new ones out to see if she would like any of those better! LOL! My kittens come individually when I call each of their names; they come together when I call out, "Where are my Babies?" Of course, they are terribly intelligent and practically perfect in every way. Kitty Poppinses!

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book drew me in from the start with its great history of cat evolution and domestication.

Then it wowed me with one of the most comprehensive set of instructions on getting cat pee off of things than I have ever seen. The very next chapter was an impressive set of recommendations on how to deal with scratching issues. Even as a vet, I learned a lot from these chapters and can take advantage of these recommendations.

From there though, I felt the book's recommendations were less thorough and stretched into more delicate territory where a veterinary behaviorist or trained behavioral consultant would be most helpful to cat owners.

I found myself looking back for the author's credentials. I had a hard time finding a record of her cat behavior expertise, training, or qualifications.

In later chapters, recommendations became more vague and were sometimes contradictory. For instance in the cat fighting chapter she spends a lot of time talking about how you don't want to scare cats that are fighting by throwing pillows at them, but then later says in some cases throwing a soft pillow is okay. It wasn't clear at what point the situation is "extreme" enough to allow you to bend the rules.

Overall I enjoyed the book and think cat owners will get helpful recommendations from it. It will get them started and encourage them to seek help to understand work with their cat to solve behavioral issues and not punish them for natural behaviors. From there hopefully they will reach out to other pet professionals to get more concrete advice for their unique situation.

Not quite formal enough for me to recommend directly to clients, but definitely glad this resource is out there for cat owners.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Learned very little about outsmarting my cat.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love cats this book is very informative.

[Chelsie Beaudoin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great basic information on living with cats and convincing them what you want is what they wanted all along. List of resources in the back on cat related items from toys, to cleaners, to vacuums.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better cat books I have read. Bows to the reality of cats, including recommending capitulation to some of their more irksome habits. I liked that.

[Barbara Moher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got bored …. To much information about things that might happen. I guess it would be a good reference cat book , but too much detail that seems unnecessary if you do not have that situation.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, it took me an embarrassingly long time to read this book. Outsmarting Cats is a good book for learning about cat behavior and how you can live harmoniously with your cat. She begins by talking about the history of cat domestication and talking about cats' physical characteristics, and then talks a little about how cats think. Then she dives into what is probably the most common cat/human problem: litter box avoidance. Probably a good idea to go to this first since most people who want to outsmart their cat probably are having some kind of issue with the litter box. She also discusses scratching, fighting, and finickiness. Pretty much anything you wanted to know about cats and how to get along with them is here.

So why didn't I rate it higher? Well, it took me more than 6 months to read it, so it obviously wasn't super-engaging to me. I guess I feel like most of this stuff I had read before (I have read a lot of information on cats). But this is a good book to start with if you are new to cat ownership and looking for some advice.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Preaching know - it - all book. Talks as if there is scientific evidence to her claims when in reality its a lot of mumbo jumbo garbage talk. Author feels the need to let folks with declawed cats feel like they are evil. Also tries to make you feel stupid for having wall to wall carpet when you have cats as she tries to tell you how to clean up cat messes...tear out carpet and have the good sense to get tile or vinyl flooring...I was only looking for a few suggestions that might be easier to weed thru vs. the Web but instead I got a virtual "spanking" for doing things "wrong". Books like this make me nuts. Don't read unless you are doing everything her way already...

[Viviana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has a preachy approach, but most of the advice is common sense and practical. It is an excellent reference book, if not to follow to the letter, to guide you in find inventive solutions to cat problems.
I enjoyed the technical way in which it is written, almost like an IT manual :)

The book gives enough information, very detailed, to empower anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the local cat community (taking care of own cats, foster cats, stray & feral). At the end, there are some excellent resources which show how well documented to book is.

[Meisbres · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the title is a misnomer because you aren't really outsmarting your cat but rather adapting to their natural behavior. That being said, I found the book helpful and will definitely try some of its suggestions.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical advice for cat servants. The writing is very easy-to-read, the illustrations are informative, and the information is solid. I also like that there is a resource list to find the products mentioned.

[Adrienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things I already know because of experiencing it with my cats! Other things I will try or willing to find out if it works, or doesn't...and even some tips to cleanup some of their messes!

Leisure read 2015

[Bethany Arellano · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely helpful in figuring out why some cats behave the way they do. Highly recommended!

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whoa. The author has ten cats. Glad my one is not a problem. Knock on wood.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good information as far as content goes. The pictures didn't add much appeal. The cat photos were all in black and white and weren't very thrilling.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful

[Pat Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed-the five cats I know and love are angels!!