What Cats Want: An Illustrated Guide for Truly Understanding Your Cat

by Yuki Hattori

From the top feline doctor in Japan comes a fun, practical, adorably illustrated "cat-to-human" translation guide to decoding your cat's feelings.

When your cat's tail is upright, she's saying hello. If it's quivering? She's happy to see you. But if it swishes ominously from side to side across your living room floor? Beware-your cat is annoyed.

With nineteen bones and twelve muscles, cats' tails have countless ways of expressing their emotions. What Cats Want is here to uncover the meaning behind every movement, and the motivation beneath every quirk. Did you know, for example, that adult cats love to reconnect with their inner kitten? Or that cats prefer multiple watering holes over just one? Our cats are sophisticated-no matter what any dog lover says-and What Cats Want has the answers to every question asked by cat owners young and old.

An invaluable new guide filled with creative tips and darling illustrations, What Cats Want provides a much-desired glimpse into the minds of our most mysterious pets.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cats, Animals, Graphic Novels, Japan, Reference, How To

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2015

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My cat Emma is quite eloquent and I almost always understand what she is asking me to do.

She even raises one dainty paw and points to her food dish, when she would like another serving of Fancy Feast. 😳

But, she is a “senior” now, so it couldn’t hurt to brush up on my knowledge of being able to decipher her body language and voice.

This wonderful, cartoon illustrated book, written by Dr. Yuki Hattori of the Tokyo Feline Medical Center should be in the library of everyone who shares their home with a cat, as it is a handy reference tool for all stages of a feline’s life.

It may be too late to purchase a copy as a Christmas gift, but it is the perfect book to gift to a cat lover who truly wants to understand their companion!

Use ANY excuse to GIFT it! 🎁
Birthdays, adding a new kitten or cat to your household, or JUST BECAUSE!

After all, not all cats are as “well-spoken” as Emma! 😻

Highly recommended!

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not long ago, I saw that my Goodreads friend Sue Em (whose cat is so adorable) had read and reviewed this, so I requested an advanced copy right away. I had lost track of how old my cat, Paisley, is, and when I went back and checked the date I rescued her (although she is quite indignant over that idea, she insists she rescued me), I realized this October she will be 14 years old. Time does indeed fly. Paisley is half Maine Coon and is a big girl, and her long calico hair only adds to the impression that she is large for a cat.

I didn’t think I would get quite as much ‘new’ information on this as I did, since I’ve had a cat or cats for most of my life. I was wrong. This is, indeed, an excellent guide for new cat owners, but I learned things I never knew before, and as she is bordering the geriatric age for cats (how did that happen so fast?) I have new things I now know to be aware of, as well as reinforcements for things I knew, but are more important to pay attention to. Other things I can’t really change – like Story, my one-year-old puppy, who loves to rush up to Paisley and try to kiss her, or sniff her …. But Paisley isn’t quite as fond of Story, thus the love is not reciprocated.

Written by Dr. Yuki Hattori, one of Japan’s top cat veterinarians, and his expertise shows in the variety of topics he covers. From being a wonderful guide for new cat owners, or better yet, for those thinking about bringing home a cat or kitten for the first time, as well as those of us who have shared their home with a cat or cats (with perhaps some lukewarm approval from said cat/cats) for many years, this was well worth reading. I would have been fine without the illustrations, but I thought they really did add to the appeal of this. Paisley wasn’t quite as impressed, but she was hoping for at least a mention of her name.

I never thought much about, from a cat’s point of view, naming any of the cats who I’ve shared my life with over the years, but Dr. Hattori shares a theory that cats can only distinguish vowels, and not consonants, so avoid names that sound too similar if you’re thinking of adding a new cat, or getting two or more to start.

One of the other tidbits I picked up from reading this - ”Touching noses is a sign of affection between cat. If your cat touches you with her nose, you’ve won her trust.”

This last was most notable to me, and I suppose to Story as well, since Paisley does, occasionally now touch noses with Story, so maybe there’s hope for love, yet.


Published: 27 Oct 2020

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Bloomsbury USA / Bloomsbury Publishing

#WhatCatsWant #NetGalley

[Gabrielle (Reading Rampage) · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the format and presentation, 3 stars because I knew 80% of the information this book contained, so averaged out to 4 stars.

I’ve had cats around my entire life, and while I am pretty good with them, those cute little furry weirdos still manage to confuse me sometimes. Over the holidays, I lost my old buddy Jimi after 13 years of cuddles and companionship and it was brutal. But the house was way too quiet without a little furball, and it didn’t take me long to reach out to my local shelter to see if they had a kitten in need of a home I would get along with. And sure enough, now there’s little Zoya!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJm9lIASh6/

Adorable and well behaved as she is, it has been years since I’ve had a teenage cat and I felt like I needed to re-learn a few things to be a good cat-mom to this little girl. I was used to my scaredy, grouchy, senior cat, and Miss Zoya is a fearless, talkative little princess, so it’s quite a change and I thought this book might be helpful.

This book contains your very basic cat-owner 101 info that anyone sharing a living space with one of those adorable murder-fluffs should be aware of, and it’s explained clearly, with super cute pictures. It was a good reminder of a few habits I had fallen out of with Jimi being rather sedentary and quiet that I definitely need to pick up again now that I have a seven-month old explorer in the house, and the little guide to cat facial expressions, tail movement and types of meowing is fun and as far as I’ve experienced, pretty accurate! The list of possible cat diseases and their symptoms at the end of the book is very comprehensive and useful: owners need to be able to recognize the signs of a sick cat and this list might certainly come in handy.

The only caveat (if it even is one), is that the book is written specifically about indoor-only cats. Since I'm the target audience for this, it was fine, but people who let their cats go outside might find it a little limited.

Overall, a cute and fun guide to cat ownership that has useful info no matter how experienced you are as a cat-parent.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I spotted this on my local library's shelf. It's been 16 years since there was a kitten in the house. A refresher couldn't hurt. The book is written in simple language with cute, clever illustrations. The author is founder/director of the Tokyo Feline Medical Center, an internationally acclaimed clinic specializing in healing & caring for cats.

[Kat (Books are Comfort Food) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick read about cat mannerisms and behaviors. Cats’ personalities differ greatly and the book demonstrates this. My cat is loving, but she needs a lot of space abd I wait fir her to come to me. While there is info that’s repetitive, I did learn some new things about cat digestion, burning incense and essential oils. The illustrations are cute and fit perfectly. Lastly, I am glad this wasn’t a 300 page book with a lot of medical jargon I could are less about. Simple and straightforward.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Cats Want: An Illustrated Guide for Truly Understanding Your Cat is a fantastic resource for cat owners that is informative and features charming illustrations.

Authored by Dr. Yuki Hattori, Japan's leading cat doctor, this book covers a range of topics. What Cats Want is broken up into six sections; your cat's biology, understanding their behavior, general care for cats, making your cat happy, creating a cat-friendly home, and lastly how to keep your cat healthy to extend its' life. With adorable illustrations throughout, the book is easy to understand and offers information in an easily accessible way. There are also various charts and tables that break down the information further.

As someone who has owned cats for most of my life, there was still a lot of information in here that was new to me. I particularly enjoyed the section about understanding your cat's behavior. There are a number of things my cats do that I wonder what they mean and this book answered a lot of them. Two of the sections I found most informative were about interpreting your cat's meows and what the positioning of their tail means. One of my kitties is very vocal, so getting to understand what her meows mean was quite interesting. And understanding their body language is one key to keeping them happy as they can't tell us how they're feeling. The biology section was also interesting as there was a lot of information in there that was new to me.

Overall I think What Cats Want is a great resource for existing cat owners as well as those thinking of getting a cat for the first time. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in cats and I will definitely be picking up a finished copy after the book publishes.

**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

[abigailscupoftea · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a quick read full of many interesting and important facts, ranging from a cat’s health to behaviors to emotions to playtime to daily care. i loved the illustrations and i gained so much knowledge from this little book. i am so glad i read this! 💛

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a devoted Kitty Mom for decades, so didn’t expect to learn as much as I did from this terrific guide.

Written by Japan’s top cat vet, it features a host of helpful tips on felines’ health and happiness, with the cutest illustrations.

Now I know what my kitty Grace wants when she meows a certain way, wiggles her tail, has her ears back or eyes wide open, or if she’s hunched down like a cat loaf. I learned something new on every page, and read it through in one setting.

Highly recommended for kitty lovers of all ages!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 27 Oct 2020

Thanks to the author, Bloomsbury USA, and
NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#WhatCatsWant #NetGalley

[Sue Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a longtime cat lover and owner (but does anyone really ever own a cat), I believe that I know quite a bit already. However Dr. Hatton's book managed to teach me a few new things. If I were going to recommend a book for new owners, this would be the one. Extremely clear and concise cat facts partnered with excellent minimalist illustrations walk a fine line inbetween snarky and cute to educate and entertain. Bravo! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Cats Want is a unique, non-fiction read to help you understand your cat (is that even possible? I swear they are little aliens hiding in there).

This illustrated guide is a great read for those seeking a little extra help. It's also presented in such a fun way. There's basic rules and guidelines to help new cat lovers out. I feel like some of this is already known by long term cat owners.

Overall, I think this book is super helpful and is a great start to understanding our adorable, furry friends!

Three out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

[Ana Bernardino · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction to cats. It touches on all things you need to know when first getting a cat without being too dense. There’s even manga drawings along each topic which makes the book quite fun to read.

I’ve found that the book can be quite dramatic on the diseases part but probably the author just want you to get a very good idea of what it could happen to your cat - anyways the vet seems always to be the right solution.

Overall I recommend it!

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not learn anything from this book. It seems that on each page if there is anything wrong with your cat you should take it to the vet. The book is written by a veterinarian. If your cat cries at night take it to the vet. If your cat’s eyes seem to be watery take it to the vet. The only positive about the book is that there were lots of illustrations and it was presented in an interesting format.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was incredibly cute and informative about cats as pets and how to keep them comfortable and healthy, as well as how to understand their body language and vocalizations.

It was hit or miss with me for the information given. I would say I knew about 60-70% of it already, but it was all delivered in an entertaining and concise way, so it wasn't boring. The pictures were cute and the cat age chart was very informative, as well as the charts for the cat's facial and body language.

This was more broad than deep, but it is a good start for any cat owner and definitely a good first book about taking care of your cat. I have two cats that tend to fight and I was hoping this book would have something about why cats fight and how to help them not want to, but it didn't deal with that particular topic at all.

3.5 stars, rounded up, as this is a worthy first book on how to keep your cat comfortable, healthy and safe. Cats should be kept indoors and spay/neuter!

My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA/Bloomsbury Publishing for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

[Klinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw it in the bookshop in November and was in awe at the cute illustrations and wanted to purchase it but ended up not. Luckily I received it as a Christmas gift by pure coincidence.

The book was very cute and there was a lot of good information. I knew most of it which surprised me as I've never really read books about felines. I wish some of the topics would have been explored deeper and also explained a bit of science where there is any. But as a general guide, it covered all the main topics and was a perfectly cute and educational book. I will probably re-read it after a while to remind myself anything I forgot.

Song in my Reading 2023 playlist:
Tom Jones - What's new pussycat?

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illustrated guide written by a Japanese veterinarian specializing in cats and founder and director of the Tokyo Feline Medical Center provides information on all things feline. What do kitties want? While some of the information is basic or common sense at least to a cat owner, ahem ... cat parent, my cats will be elated that I learned some new things about them.

There were illustrations to interpret their moods from purring to tail position. Unfortunately, my female cat has a broken tail, but she does like to purr.

I thought my male cat was being very affectionate when rubbing against me, especially when he wants to be fed, but apparently not. “Cats have scent glands on their heads (*These are on their foreheads, under their chins, around their mouths and at the base.) and at the base of their tails, which they use to leave their scent on other cats when they rub heads in greeting. They would do the same with their owners if their heads were within reach, but instead make do with rubbing themselves against the arms and legs of the people they live with. Cats also use scent to mark the territory. This is why they love curling their tails around furniture at home.”

“Up to 70% of cats older than twelve are likely to suffer from arthritis.” Well, one of them is approaching that age in a couple of years.

If a cat walks on the hock (hind leg) and not the toes (as they are digitigrade animals), it may have diabetes.

Puzzle feeders or making them hunt for their food in different places slow down their eating.

Sick cats seek cool air. “Some cats don’t like air-conditioning.”

Take photos and videos to show the vet what is wrong with your cat.

Cats love routine (especially my male cat as he constantly and routinely reminds me that he believes he should be fed early in the morning even if that is NOT his feeding time).

Cats sweat through their paws. They love having their paw pads massaged.

I need to routinely brush my cats teeth! Yikes, I don’t think they or I will appreciate my efforts.

[Meg (fairy.bookmother) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a top Japanese cat veterinarian Dr. Yuki Hattori, What Cats Want is an adorable guide to raising and caring for your cat. This an especially great introductory guide to new cat owners as it breaks down a lot of facts clearly and informatively, and it has a lot of good reference information about cat health and cat behavior for people who have had cats for pets for years. It's fun, informative, and accessible. I hadn't expected to read it in one sitting but I did, and I found myself learning a few things as well!

The illustrations alone make the book worth a look through, and I'm looking forward to purchasing my own physical copy once the book releases in October! The illustrator captures cat behavior, moods, and emotions perfectly, and I found myself recognizing several of the cats in my life in the pages. I especially loved the illustrations of cat moods, cat meows, and cat body language!

One thing I kept thinking while reading it was that this would make a perfect gift for new cat parents or longtime cat parents.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and Netgalley for an advance digital review copy! All opinions are my own.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
As I type this review, my cat came along to head butt me and purr in my ear. So I know he approves this book too. This is a fun, fact filled book all about cats and their behavior. A very thorough review of cats. I'd recommend this to adults who don't know much about cats and even children who want to know more about their furry friends.

[Kinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leginkább az idős cicám miatt olvastam el ezt a könyvet aki már 15 éves, hátha kapok valami új ötletet, vagy rájövök, hogy valamit eddig rosszul csináltam, de emellett nagyon sok új dolgot megtudtam úgy általánosságban a cicákról.
Nagyon tetszett ez a könyv, szerintem tartalmas volt. Igaz, hogy most egyben olvastam el, de szerintem még sokszor fogom nyitogatni, ha valamilyen segítségre szükségem van.
Az illusztrációk gyönyörűek és eszméletlen édesek, tetszik, hogy színes a könyv, akár fiatalabb cica tulajdonosok is a kezükbe vehetik :D

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have lived with cats all my life. I don't know what they want. I try really hard to make them happy because the consequences are dire if you make them unhappy. They know how to get you back. Someone once told me you either don't like cats or you have too many. I have two very spoiled elderly indoor male cats. This book told me how to keep them amused and healthy in their golden years. This book is concise and very easy to understand. It leads you from kitten stage to geriatric stage on how to care for your cat from feeding and litter to healthcare. It is very to the point so you can not misunderstand what the author is saying. It has cute little drawings to keep the book from being too serious. I did not know cats had such poor eyesight which explains why I put a treat in front of my cat and point to it and still my cats cry for treats. Also, cats have a very light bodyweight (though mine seem very heavy) so they can sleep in the same position for hours on end and not get bed sores. This book has all kinds of interesting tidbits about cats. Loved it! Your cats will thank you for reading this book. This book is excellent for new cat owners and prospective cat owners. This book also brings up the cost of cat ownership which people do not give enough consideration too. Also, if you do get a cat remember the author notes feral cats live 3-5 years, indoor/outdoor cats live 5-7 years and indoor cats live 15 years. Remember to spay or neuter. The author is a vet. My cats and I thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book for a review.

[Story · Rating 4 out of 5]

This illustrated, comprehensive and clearly written guide would be an excellent choice for anyone who is new to living with cats. I especially liked the cute illustrations and charts that help humans learn to read feline body language. Recommended for school and classroom libraries.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and sweet book that can help make a good foundation of feline knowledge for any reader! I work as a veterinary nurse at a feline specialty hospital and wish all my clients would read it. Not to mention the art is very cute! 😸

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this to humans willing to be cat slaves.

[Antía S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me lo he leído en nada. Muy didáctico y visual. Me ha resuelto varias dudas que tenías. ❤️

[Norshafarina Faharuddin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Cats Want by Dr.Yuki Hattori

As a cat mom, I appreciate having this kind of book. While much can be found online, owning a physical copy lets me enjoy reading at my leisure.

The format is clear and engaging; illustrated, with bullet points and numbering. It's simple, informative, and easy to understand. I’m happy to give it 5 stars.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Si hubiera leído esto en su día, habría tenido algún gato normal

[Kromeklia Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are great! Especially for the cats tail position and body size. It was through and easy read.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent advice on cat care and beautifully presented with manga-style illustrations.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable little book about cats. I certainly learned some new things (who knew cats can hear ants walking)?! If you enjoy cute illustrations and cat facts--this is for you!

[Laura ✯ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soy más de peyitos: tuve peyito durante 16 años y aún no he superado por completo su duelo, su ausencia y tampoco tenía ganas de volver a tener animal de compañía pero mi mamá adoptó una gata y nunca he tenido experiencias agradables con los mininos empezando por mi rinitis.

Este libro es muy claro, con ilustraciones que permite conocer y entender un poco acerca del mundo de los gatos, así que me ha servido para comprender y así, mejorar la convivencia con la gata.

A veces me siento traicionando a Peyito porque me había prometido que no iba a volver a tener otro animal en mi espacio pero este no es mi espacio, así que me toca adaptarme 😅.

[fawkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las ilustraciones muy cuquis y graciosas. La información básica pero completa y al final hay un resumen de varias enfermedades que pueden padecer los gatos y unos gráficos con los gastos económicos que puedes tener durante toda la vida del gatito. Me ha gustado como conciencia que tener un gato es una opción y no una obligación y que tienes que estar preparado con ahorros por si ocurre algún imprevisto.