The Original Cat Bible (Paperback)

Following in the paw- and hoof-prints of I-5's best-selling The Original Dog Bible and The Original Horse Bible comes The Original Cat Bible, the ultimate resource for cat owners and lovers from the editors of Cat Fancy magazine. This new 500-page volume promises to be the most complete and authoritative book of its kind, authored by award-winning writer Sandy Robins with special veterinary chapters by Dr. Arnold Plotnick and an extensive breed section by Sarah Hartwell and Lorraine Shelton. The Original Cat Bible delves deeply into all things feline, from the domestication of cats and the development of pure breeds to the anatomy and genetics of felines. Between its two covers, it bequeaths a wealth of information to the cat fanciers, detailing all aspects of cat care and ownership, bejeweled with fun tidbits and trivia to entertain even the most discerning of feline lovers. The book begins with a detailed history of the modern cat, including the noble big cats of the wild and the small domesticated cats adored indoors by millions around the world. In her venture into the modern-day world of cats, the author discusses the genesis of cat welfare and rescue, as well as concerns about stray and feral cats in our communities, explaining the problems and offering practical solutions. From a more universal perspective, the text explores the feline's place in world religions, the cat-laden folklore of Asia, Europe and North America, cats in religion, popular culture through the ages (literature, art, cartoons, and movies), and contemporary social media (YouTube, blogs, and Facebook). The Original Cat Bible discusses the development of cat breeds and the genetics of purebred cats. While the establishment of purebred cats is a fairly modern development, some breeds have existed in a "pure form" for many centuries. In order to explain the significance of specific breeds, the author describes the essential physical characteristics of the cat, including body types, coat types, colors, and patterns. Guest authors Hartwell and Shelton, both highly regarded experts in the purebred cat world, present seventy-five breeds of cat from the familiar Siamese and Persian to the lesser known Australian Mist and Pixie Bob, describing their origins, breed standards, personalities, all accompanied by dazzling color photography. The book features expansive coverage of every recognized cat breed in the world, plus many experimental and new breeds that have come and gone. Robins resumes the discussion of cat ownership, covering important topics such as finding a kitten, choosing between breeders and shelters, achieving the right feline match for your family, bringing the cat into a new home, cat-proofing and safety around the house, and shopping for supplies for the new cat (accessories ranging from litter boxes and beds to harnesses and cat trees). New owners will value the information about introducing the cat to family and other pets, the importance of selecting a qualified veterinarian, securing veterinary insurance, and establishing an immunization schedule with your vet. Information about kitten health concerns, including viral diseases and parasites, and complementary therapies and holistic medicine, diagnostic tests and new technologies available is thorough and detailed. A user-friendly, very readable chapter on grooming follows, offering advice on caring for the coats of kittens, adults and older cats, purchasing grooming tools, learning techniques, and establishing a regimen for brushing and bathing, nail, eye, ear and teeth care. The feeding chapter begins with a fascinating and entertaining history of pet food in America and then goes on to discuss such important topics as the nutritional requirements of cats at all life stages, the choice between commercial diets and natural foods, food allergies, and special care of obese and pregnant cats. In introducing the elaborate section on healthcare, renowned veterinarian Dr. Arnold Plotnick presents an overview of feline anatomy, including the basics of the body, skin, coat, ears, eyes, teeth, paws, and bodily systems. The chapter on external conditions, diseases and disorder covers over eighty specific feline diseases (categorized by anatomical region), followed by a chapters on infectious diseases and internal and external parasites; reproductive care, puberty, mating, and pregnancy; and serious life-threatening disorders (diabetes, cancer, and hyperthyroidism). A chapter on senior cats offers readers information on health issues with older cats (arthritis, cognitive dysfunction, vision and hearing loss), common behavior issues, as well grief counseling upon the loss of a beloved cat. A section on fun with cats includes the various activities and enrichment exercises owners can do with their cats, as well as cat agility and cat shows (covering both major American cat registries, the Cat Fanciers Association and The International Cat Association). Further topics in this expansive volume include traveling with cats, pet-care options for owners (kitty day care, pet sitters, and boarding), dealing with emergencies, first aid, and disaster planning, finding a lost cat, relocating with cats and preventing loss during a move. The Original Cat Bible offers the gospel on cat behavior and training, and preaches that cats can indeed be trained! The author offers a compendium on feline communication, including body language and vocalizations, and a training course that advocates socialization and positive-reinforcement training (remote control training, redirection, and clicker training). In addressing problem behaviors, the author puts forward solutions for dozens of commonly encountered nuisances, such as litter box messes, scratching, aggression, separation anxiety and pica. The final section of the book celebrates cats at work in the community, from therapy cats in nursing homes and rest-home facilities to cats working as greeters and library and book-store assistants. Readers will delight in the section about celebrity cats. Cats have made a splash working professionally as actors and models in the entertainment worlds of movies, television, and advertising. For readers wishing to work with cats themselves, the book discusses a variety of career paths as veterinarians, vet assistants, groomers, trainers and behaviorists, massage therapists, cat sitters, animal-control officers, and photographers. The book has an expansive resource section including websites, books, and periodicals, and is fully indexed.