The Complete Cat

by Vicky Halls

An absolute must-have for cat owners, this essential reference book covers every aspect of cat ownership. From what to look for in a good cat breeder to effective flea control, every facet of feline ownership is covered in detail. Vicky Halls discusses such topics as proper diet and nutrition, how to give your cat a pill, which household items are poisonous to your pet, and much more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read in advance of welcoming some new felines into our life. Extremely comprehensive, though could be better laid out / cross-referenced as some information isn't where you'd expect it to be if you're just dipping in and out. (E.g. I found a reference to the condition that killed our last cat, vaccination fibrosarcoma, in the chapter about choosing a vet and ongoing care, but no reference to it in the chapter on medical conditions).

[Antony Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

From AntonySimpson.com:

The Complete Cat by Vicky Halls was a book that was recommended to me on a Bengal cat forum as a soon to be new owner of two kittens.

Vicky Halls is apparently well known in cat circles as the clever cat woman and The Complete Cat demonstrates her knowledge of the feline species. The book is over 500 pages long and starts with an introductory letter to the person considering getting the cat:

Hello,
Let me tell you what a cat will bring to your life.

A cat is a naturally undemanding creature that usually takes out of the relationship what you are prepared to put in and nothing more. Cats have moments when they seem intensely pleased to see you and yet they don’t sit and pine when you are out. They have a secret life outside your relationship, but when you are there you will be appreciated. They may show you love when you are busy and spurn you when you want a cuddle; it’s not always possible to turn their love on like a tap.

Cats seek out warm, secure places to sleep and so often prefer to share your bed. They see this as a privilege and not a right, so a hammock attached to a radiator or a place near the Aga will do instead.

If you are sad they will fall off the back of the sofa for you or lie with their legs in the air just to make you laugh. They are comedians in fur coats.

They will eat expensive prawns or simple cat food; the trick is to start as you mean to go on. They accept their lot – but the more you give, the more they will want. Be brave enough to have rules and you should still manage to maintain control of the household.

You will struggle giving them pills, hate car journeys with them, be revolted by their hairballs and have every comfy chair in the house covered with a cat blanket. What you will get in return from your cat, if you are lucky, is twenty years of shared experiences, house moves, growing children, heartaches and happiness. You will take a million photographs of him over years and eventually, you will develop your own personal language to understand what he wants and when he wants it. When he is gone you will mourn and marvel at how much you could miss such a small furry creature.

In conclusion, I am recommending wholeheartedly sharing your home with a cat. Once you have experienced the delights you will never regret your decision.

Yours Truly,

A cat lover

Copy Right Vicky Halls (2008).

This letter immediately got me hooked on The Complete Cat, enjoying Vicky Halls engaging writing style. The book covers everything you could ever want to know about cats including: selecting kittens, integrating adult cats, multi cat households, diet and nutrition, health and veterinary care, indoor versus outdoor, cat behaviour, etc. It’s like a one stop reference guide for everything to do with cats. The only criticism I have about the book is that it the information about different pedigree breeds was limited, a paragraph at best.

If you’ve got cats or are planning to get them The Complete Cat by Vicky Halls is well worth buying. I’m sure I’ll be re-reading sections of it as time goes by as a sort of reference guide when I’m unsure.

[Annyliis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leidsin selle raamatu raamatukogu lemmikloomade teemaliste raamatute riiulist, kuid see on kirja pandud justkui juturaamat. Erinevad lood probleemsetest kassidest. Hästi ja humoorikalt lahti selgitatud probleemid, nende olemused ja lahendused. Palju tuli tuttavat, kuid palju oli ka uut, mida meelde jätta. Näiteks Borisi ja Chiversi lugu paneb mõistma nii mõndagi enda kasside vahelistest suhetest.

Raamat algab sellega kuidas Vicky (autor) aitab kodustada kassipoja Annie. Annie oli varjupaika saabudes 10- päevane kirpudest kubisev metsik kassipoeg. Peatüki lõpus annab autor teada, et nüüdseks on Anniest saanud veidi ülekaaluline kiisu (üks tema seitsmest kassist).
(Kass)tegelasi jookseb raamatust läbi mitmeid. Autori kassidest on pilte (kaks neist on mu enda kasside koopiad ;) ).

Seda raamatut lugedes tuli vahest isegi hoida pisaraid tagasi. Ei julge pisaraid küll kõigile lubada, kuid kes ise on kodustanud mõne kassi ja tunda saanud katsumuste raskusi ja tulemuste rõõmu, siis Teile julgen küll öelda, et tunnete raamatust mitmetel kordadel enda ning oma kasside käitumise ära. Nii nagu Spooky loos lebas autor tunde põrandal kassiga suheldes, tegin seda ka mina. Siis tundus veider üksi köögi põrandal lesides rääkida (kassipoeg oli peidus ega näidanud ninagi inimestele), kuid aja jooksul muutus see normaalseks. Nüüd võin vabalt kassidega tunde suhelda ilma, et see mulle veider tunduks. ;)

" Asi on testosteroonis. Kastreerimata kõutsid on vaprad, territooriumi pärast võitlevad, tugevad, motiveeritud, õelad ja teiste isaste vastu alastamatud. Neil tekib kaela ümber paks nahk ja nende põsed on tugevad. Musklistest pingul kehad on loodud võitlema ja nende uriin haiseb nii võikalt, et ainult sellega võiks sõja võita. Need loomad elavad vägivalla ja seksi nimel. Aga võta see testosteroon ära - soovitavalt enne, kui neil oma mehelikkuse kohta mingeid ideid tekib- ja mis jääb järgi? Üks kamp nutuseid memmekaid!"

"Küll kurat laisklevatele käppadele tegevust leiab" :D

Lugesin raamatu läbi ühe hingetõmbega :).