The Complete Cat’s Meow: Everything You Need to Know about Caring for Your Cat
By Darlene Arden
You may think that what I am about to say is a bit controversial, especially considering I’m a cat, but I believe that the fact that Darlene Arden is an animal lover — as in she loves all creatures and is not just a cat fanatic — makes her the perfect human to write this book. I know from cat people; I live with one: they tend to think they are cattier-than-thou and it’s hard not to let that seep through their writing. Ms. Arden even refers to herself as “multicultural,” in that she loves both dogs and cats, and this gives her just enough distance to give us cats what we need most in a cat care book: respect, and an affectionate point of view that’s not smarmy.
One thing Ms. Arden shares with us kitties in spades: she is curious. She must be, because she has to have done a lot of research to come up with this book! She includes some bits of knowledge that even hardcore cat people might not know! Quick, cat humans, tell me the two fatty acids we kitties require. I bet I stumped a bunch of you. If you had Ms. Arden’s book, you would know the answer is linoleic and arachidonic. That particular fact may be a little on the esoteric side for many of you, but overall the book is practical, informative, and will make our lives as cats so much more pleasant and healthy. And that goes for a cat who is being picked up from the shelter by a first-time family, or one who is joining a long-established multi-cat household. This book will benefit any cat, no matter how experienced her human is (or thinks she is).
At less than 250 pages, The Complete Cat’s Meow is comprehensive without being overwhelming. Are you bringing a new cat home? Having litter box or scratching issues? Considering a homemade diet? Want to know what to watch for if your cat gets sick? You will find information on all that here, sprinkled with fascinating cat facts — did you know our peripheral vision is an extra-wide 120 degrees? Or that we spend a whole third of our waking hours grooming? Even better, the book is written in a friendly, non-technical manner and you do not have to be a veterinary school graduate to understand any of it.
Does it sound like I love this book? I do, and I highly recommend it. Even if Ms. Arden may occasionally smell like dog, The Complete Cat’s Meow is 100% feline awesomeness.
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Great review Sparkle! We reviewed it few weeks back ourselves and we agree with you one hundred zillion percent!
That book is a fixture on my desk now!
This sounds like a great book Sparkle, but will my Human read it? Well, probably not. She has like 50 books sitting on her NOT READ YET shelf and the chances of prying her away from fiction are slim to none (you know what English teachers are like…..) I might read it though if she’ll buy it for me.
Sounds like a good book after reading your review. We stopped by to thank you very much for your sympathies toward Red Facey the duck. Mom wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper in our town and it was published today. I think she is going to post it tomorrow.
Casper, Cleo and Mom
What a good review, Sparkle! We’ll have to check out this book!
Excellent review Sparkle and that sounds like a book every cat hooman should have.
purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥
We enjoyed your review and think our Mommy needs to get that book!
Uh oh, right after we hit send, we realized a mistake. We meant that when you HUMAN abandons you. We know she’s not your mom! Sorry!
Miss Sparkle, we’ve not been by to visit lately – we’re sorry! Thank you, though, for checking on us during our storms. Our mom is about to abandon us AGAIN for a stupid weekend of noisy guitars and dudes with long hair and makeup. At least when your mom abandons you, it’s for something respectable.
Thanks for the informative book review. Mommy is very interested in finding a book like this.
Thanks
Nellie
Great review Sparkle, it does sound darn good!
Good review, sound a great book.. Hugs GJ xx
Thanks for the review, Sweetie!!!!!!!
xxxxx
Sounds very cool. The Woman actually knew the fats answer although well, diet and health is one of her things!
Thanks for the review, Sparkle. Mom says, wow, 1/3 of my time grooming: she believes that is why I have hairball issues with all my long furs.
If you say it is a good book, I trust your judgment. Guess M had better look into getting a copy of that.
This sounds like a good read but is it better than YOUR books. I imagine not. I’ll see if TW can afford it.
Thanks for the great review Sparkle. Hmmm, I wonder how the Farm cats feel about the publicist sometimes smelling like a goat
Well that sure was a good review. We might have to check it out. Thanks for the really thorough review.
An interesting review Sparkle.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Sound Like a good book, Sparkle
Thanks for your reviews
xoxo