Learning the Secret Language of Cats
by Carol TeedPublished on 2013
Pages: 234
Format: eARC Source: Book Tour
Exploring the mind of the cat, Dr. Teed describes what can be learned from understanding this most mysterious of creatures. She explores the body-mind-soul connection and notes that what feeds the mind and soul is often deficient in the modern world we have constructed for ourselves and our cats. These deficiencies then become written on the body. She feels a more integrated body-mind-soul approach to care for our felines is what is needed now for the modern cat. Describing cats as motivational or inspirational speakers who can teach us how to live a life worth living, Dr. Teed relates how she observed first-hand, time and time again, the positive power of the cat to affect change in small spheres. And she reflects on what an amazing thing it would be if we were all a bit more cat-like. In her words, every household can benefit from a cat.
One of the most frustrating parts of my job is trying to explain cats to people who don’t want to listen. People think that cats should be happy to live in a house with people and dogs and other cats just like dogs are. Cats are not like dogs.
My first line of questions when someone brings in a cat for urinating outside the litter box is – “Has anything changed in the house that might have upset him? Are there any other pets in the house? Do they get along?” The answers are always, “No. Yes. They get along great! Sometimes they play rough but other than that they love each other.” Then we start going deeper into what is going on in the house.
Stress is a major cause of illness in cats and people don’t recognize a stressed cat when they see one. That’s why I was excited to read this book written by a veterinarian about understanding cats.
This isn’t a “how to take care of your cat” book. It is written partially as a memoir of her experience in practice, using stories of patients she treated to illustrate points. It talks in a conversational tone about nutrition and behavior and illness. I also appreciated the section about how vets are not out to steal all your money.
I wish all cat owners would read this book to start to understand what their cat is trying to tell them. It would make the life of the cat and the humans they live with so much better.
I will have to see if I can get this book. I have four cats and they are never shy about telling us what is up. I have even written posts abut how to engineer better litter boxes.
Thanks very much for reading and writing this review. Your recommendation means a lot especially as it comes from a fellow vet and cat lover. Many many thanks =^..^= Carol Teed