CatWise by Johnson-Bennett, Pam -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Praise for Pam Johnson-Bennett About the Author Title Page Copyright Dedication Acknowledgments Contents Introduction Chapter 1 | Kitten: Impossible (Getting started with that adorable ball of nonstop energy)

How do I know which kitten to choose? What supplies do I need for a new kitten? What do I need to know first about the care and training of a kitten? How do I kitten-proof my house? Is it better to adopt two kittens? How do I teach my kitten to accept being petted? How can I train my kitten to handle changes? How can I teach my kitten to stop biting me during play?

Chapter 2 | Boot Camp (Training basics for you and your cat)

What should we do the first night we bring our new cat home? What mistakes should we watch out for when cat training? What can I do to keep my cat’s mind sharp? Should I use a squirt bottle? How do I get my cat to stop meowing so much? Why won’t my cat listen when I’m training him? Can cats be clicker-trained? How do I train my cat to accept nail trims? How do I get my cat to let me brush his teeth? How do I give my cat a pill? Are there behavioral reasons to neuter/spay cats?

Chapter 3 | Social Media (How cats communicate with us and each other)

When a cat purrs, does that mean he’s happy? How do cats use scent to communicate? Do cats create a group scent? How should I approach a cat I’m meeting for the first time? What does my cat’s meow mean? Why does my cat raise her butt up when I pet her? What does it mean when my cat rubs his head on me? Why does my cat sit facing away from me? Why do cats hiss? What is a cat kiss? Why do cats flex their claws on people? Why does my cat want attention when I’m on the phone? Are cats as affectionate as dogs? Why does my cat always sit on my daughter’s homework? Do cats communicate with their whiskers? Do cats communicate with their tails? Why does my cat chatter? Why does my cat sometimes make such a terrible-looking face? Why does my cat lick my hair? Why do cats sleep so much?

Chapter 4 | The Scoop on Poop and Pee (Creating good vibes at the litter box)

Will my kitten instinctively know how to use a litter box? What do I need for my cat’s litter box setup? Do cats prefer covered litter boxes? Which litter is best? How much litter should I put in the box? How often should I scoop the litter box? Does it matter to the cat if I switch brands of litter? How do I know what size litter box is best? How do I relocate the litter box? How many litter boxes do I need? Are litter box liners a good idea? Should I train my cat to use the toilet?

Chapter 5 | Stinking Outside the Box (When cats don’t pee and poop where you want them to)

Why should the cat see the veterinarian for a litter box problem? Why do some cats stop using the litter box? How can I identify which of my cats is peeing outside of the box? Pam’s CatWise Clue: Common mistakes people make when trying to solve a cat’s litter box problem How do I know if my cat dislikes the litter box location? Why does my cat still pee on the bath mat after the veterinarian treated him? Why does my cat pee in the box but won’t poop in it? How do I tell if a cat dislikes the litter? Why does my cat seem nervous in the litter box? How do I clean urine from carpet? Why do cats spray? Why does my cat pee on the bed? Why is my cat urinating in my potted plant?

Chapter 6 | Demolition Wars (Cat versus furniture—how to help your furniture win the war)

Why do cats scratch the furniture? How do I know which scratching post to buy? How many scratching posts do I need? Why does my cat scratch the carpet? Should I replace a worn-out scratching post?

Chapter 7 | Party Animal (The benefits of play therapy and how to play with cats—yes, there is a wrong way)

What is interactive play therapy? Which toys do cats like best? Why won’t my cat play with me? Do you recommend laser light toys? Why has my cat lost interest in his toys? Is it OK to play with my cat in the bed? Why are my cats’ playtime styles so different? What is catnip?

Chapter 8 | Living It Up (Creating a cat-friendly home you and your budget can live with)

What is environmental enrichment? Why does my cat climb so much? How do I choose the best cat tree? Do cats need hiding places? Can a cat be happy in a small apartment? Why would a cat need a tunnel?

Chapter 9 | The Human Element (We can be a hard species to live with)

How do I prepare my cat for the arrival of a new baby? How can I help my cat and my toddler become friends? How can I get my cat to stop hating my new husband? Why does my cat approach only my friends who don’t like cats? Pam’s CatWise Clue: Seven things that make sense to your cat but not to you How can I help my cat be comfortable with my guests? Are cats aloof? Why does my cat bite me when I pet her stomach?

Chapter 10 | Animal House (Keeping peace when it’s reigning cats and dogs)

How do I choose a second cat? How do I introduce a second cat? Why do my cats fight only at certain times of day? How can I stop mealtime bullying? What can I do to help my cats get along? Should I give up and rehome one of my cats, or can their relationship be saved? How can I help my cat accept my new husband’s cat? What’s the best way to introduce dogs and cats? How do I keep my dog out of the cat’s litter box? How can I train my cat to stay away from the gerbil?

Chapter 11 | Fraidy Cat (Convincing your cat to come out of hiding)

Should I worry about how often my cat is stressed? Pam’s CatWise Clue: What causes stress in cats Do cats experience separation anxiety? How can I help my cat to not be so afraid? How do you help a cat with a fear of thunderstorms? What can I do to reduce my cat’s stress at the veterinary clinic? Pam’s CatWise Clue: Eight tips on how to be a good veterinary client Why is my cat grooming himself bald?

Chapter 12 | Don’t Do That (Training your cat to stop doing those things that really annoy you)

Does my cat misbehave because he’s mad at me? How do I stop my cat from chewing my houseplants? When my cat bites me, is it for attention? Why does my cat suck on fabric? Why does my cat steal things? Pam’s CatWise Clue: The must-have checklist for solving your cat’s behavior problem How can I keep my cat off the counter? Why does my cat wake me at three A.M.? How can I stop my cat from unrolling the toilet paper? How can I prevent my cat from darting out the door? Why does my cat chew on socks? Why does my cat attack my ankles? How do I keep my cat away from the Christmas tree? How do I stop my cat from chewing on electrical cords?

Chapter 13 | Bad Moods (How to deal with feline aggression)

Why is my cat aggressive? Why did my cat attack the other cat after visiting the veterinarian? Why does my cat bite me when I pet him? Why would my cats suddenly become enemies? Pam’s CatWise Clue: Ten tips for calming an out-of-control cat Why does my cat attack his tail? How do I find a behavior expert to help my cat?

Chapter 14 | Outside Influence (How to persuade your cat the grass isn’t really greener on the other side)

Is it cruel to keep cats indoors? How do I make an outdoor cat an indoor one? Why does my indoor/outdoor cat need a litter box? How can I train my cat to walk on a leash?

Chapter 15 | You Expect Me to Eat That? (How to make the feeding station a happy place)

How do I switch my cat from dry food to moist without stressing her out? Why is my cat nervous when she eats? Why do some cats seem to try to bury their food? Why does my cat eat grass? Why should I get my cat a puzzle feeder? How do I put my cat on a diet in a way that won’t upset her? Why is my cat a finicky eater? Why does my cat dip her paws in the water bowl?

Chapter 16 | No Guilt Trips (Traveling with or without your cat, without worrying yourself sick)

How do I choose the right size carrier for my new cat? How do we help our cat adjust to being in a carrier? Can I leave my cat alone for the weekend? Is it better to use a pet sitter or a boarding kennel? How often should a pet sitter visit? Do you have any tips for traveling by car with a cat? What’s the best way to prepare my cat for a move?

Chapter 17 | Old Friends (Making the most of the golden years)

How can I make life easier for my senior cat? Can cats become senile? Do cats grieve the way we do?

Appendix Index

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