Cat Sense: Science Reveals Feline Secrets & Book Giveaway
In the past two years alone, I’ve read over 100 cat books but one of the most intriguing is Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet, the new book by John Bradshaw, author of The New York Times bestseller Dog Sense. Cat Sense is intellectually robust and the antitheses of the light, kitty humor books we’ve reviewed in the past few weeks. Cats are more popular than ever and yet misconceptions persist. Cat Sense paves the way for the greatest gift we can give our cats: learning what makes them tick.
I’m pleased to announce a generous giveaway of five copies of Cat Sense and our exclusive Q + A with John Bradshaw will be posted on the day we announce our winners.
Cat Sense is not a basic cat care or how to correct behavioral issues book and yet will appeal from the novice cat owner to a seasoned cat lover. Cat Sense, a well-researched reference book (chock -full of lovely illustrations) delves into fascinating insights into the feline mind and their physical evolution to the present day. New research in molecular biology and DNA evidence points to earlier domestication of cats than originally thought. Cats were domesticated between 8000 and 13,000 years BCE and unlike dogs, cats’ domestication is not complete. The book topics range from history and purpose of cat domestication, psychology and intelligence of cats vs dogs, cats’ senses, interaction between humans and cats, cats and prey, breed characteristics, ferals and controlling cat population. Bradshaw tackles his subject with over thirty years experience as Anthrozoologist. He is the foundation director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University of Bristol in England where he studies interactions between humans and cats.
That said: as a scientist Bradshaw can’t embrace anthropomorphism or speculate on anything that can’t be proven scientifically. He freely admits there are mysteries about cats left undiscovered, and frequently uses modifiers such as “may”, “perhaps” and “likely” or “seem to” posit what remains unexplained. For anyone open to holistic views and intuitive animal communication like myself, I’ll quote Shakespeare. “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” Cats are slow to reveal all their secrets and is likely one of the reasons they continue to beguile cat lovers. No one book encompasses all aspects of cats but Cat Sense is a valuable resource with plenty of food for thought about cats today and their future as a species.
Visit the Cat Sense website to learn more or to read an excerpt.
To enter our Cat Sense Giveaway, Simply leave a comment before 11:59 pm EST, October 12, 2013. For extra chances to win, social media share and tell us in a separate comment where you shared. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S and canada.
The winners of our Whiskerlist: The Kitty Classifieds are Janet Valentine and Stephanie Lehr. Congratulations! Please look for an email from Layla requesting your shipping address.
53 Comments
Tara C
Shared on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tara.carlson.925/posts/1417521371809094
Tara C
My husband and I currently have two cats, both rescues – Token was discovered hiding under the hood of my husband’s car on a winter day (good thing he always bangs on the hood before getting in!); Yoshi was orphaned at two weeks old and I raised him with a teeny little bottle. He’s six years old now and still a big baby. 😉
Jenny S
I would really love to read this book. having 4 cats, they really facinate me.
Melinda Stephens
I would love to check out this book. Anything that can help me understand my kitties would be nice.
Ms. Phoebe
I posted about the giveaway on my twitter feed:
https://mobile.twitter.com/MsPhoebecat/status/386783750417158144
Ms. Phoebe
I posted about the giveaway on my human’s Facebook profile.
Ms. Phoebe
I would love for my human to learn more about we cats if it will help her serve me in a more efficient manner than she does now. I agree with Sparkle- there’s no way mew humans can or will ever know everything about us, we have set rules for what we keep sacred knowledge for felines only.
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey
Does sound quite interesting! Please enter us in the giveaway!
Angel
I will say it does sound like an intriguing books. With our two cats (also know as Queens of all they survey), we need all the wisdom we can get.
Best, and keep on blogging.
Regina Davis
I shared on facebook. I read everything I can on cats to help me be a better “cat mom” and would love to see what I can learn from this one. =^. .^= ~
M
I shared on Facebook!
Andrea
I was intrigued by this book when I saw it on Goodreads. I think it sounds like a good reference book for any behaviorist to have on the shelf. Without reading it I would guess it probably has some good scientific background/basis in it to help delve into behavioral aspects of the feline personality. After all, many things comprise behavior including environment, physical issues, weather, etc.
I’m excited for this opportunity!
Julia
I shared it on Facebook and Pinterest!
Cynthia Southern
I shared on Google +.
Cynthia Southern
I shared on Facebook.
Cynthia Southern
I shared on PInterest.
Cynthia Southern
This looks like a great read.
Cindy
I shared this blog post on my facebook page for an extra entry. Thanks!
Cindy
I would love the opportunity to read this book. One entry, please and thanks! Thanks for offering cool giveaways!
Beverly
This sounds interesting!
PankythePanfur
Panky: Iz shared on Twitter @PankythePanfur as well as on Pinterest (PankythePanfur)
Panfur Purrs
PankythePanfur
Panky: Iz fink dis wunderfur book fur da human here to unnerstandz me and mai brofur. MOL
Me brofur an Iz crossing all polydactyl paws she winz one of dese books.
Panfur Purrs
Tammy Rhyno
shared on Facebook (the only social media site I use)
Tammy Rhyno
This sounds like a wonderful book and a great read!!
Geraldine Galentree
My cat Buddy and I would find reading this book a treat, I am sure. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the contest. Wishing everyone a world full of love and kitty kisses!
Gail W.
Sounds like a great book.
Chelsea W
This would look great on my bookshelf (after I read it of course)
Rose J.
1) I would love to get a copy of this book! I heard John’s interview on Fresh Air with Terry Gross.
2) I posted the giveaway on my FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/rose.justice
kathy
I pinned it!
kathy
cool giveaway idea
Debbie Blackburn
Sounds like a fascinating book. Books about cats are my favorite books to read.
Valerie
I would love this book ! We have many many cats , most of them are outdoor cats but we do have house cats also. I am always learning something new about my babies , so this book would be a great asset for me ! Thanks Val
Milene
I love all books about cats.
Maxwell, Faraday & Allie
Oooh that sounds like a lovely book. We’ve heard him interviewed before and read NPR’s article on him. Fascinating man!
martha anderson
sounds like a great book – perfect for those of us who have been left feeling really stupid by a cat
Lynn Case
Shared it on Facebook 🙂
Lynn Case
Pinned it on Pinterest.
Lynn Case
I would love to win a copy of this book!
Church Cat Tom
I think an anthrozoologist would have a lot of insight to contribute to our understanding of the feline mystique. But, the very fact that he employs his mays, perhaps, and likelys will keep cats’ deepest secrets safe! 🙂
Brian
That is terrific and humans can always use more cat sense MOL!
Cheryl Hogeland
Also, shared on facebook….=^.^=
Cheryl Hogeland
Sounds like a very interesting book. I love to read, I love cats, and I love to read books about cats! I have been fortunate to have had several cats grace my life in the last 20 years, and one of the most important things I have learned is that you can never learn too much about a cat!
Tamago
This sounds like an interesting book!
Kitties sure are mysterious creature 🙂
Nerissa's Life
Whew! Sure am glad to hear the author didn’t reveal ALL our secrets no matter how many peeps out there really, really wanna know.
Purrs,
Nissy
Angel Abby
*tweeted*
Angel Abby
Absolutely sounds like a must read!
Sometimes, Cats Herd You
We hadn’t heard of this book before, and it sounds really interesting. It sounds like the author’s use of “perhaps” and “may” are in line with Sparkle’s comment… no human can truly understand what makes us tick, but it’s fun to see how you try!
Skeeter and Izzy
This sounds like another fabulous read. It sounds like Mr. Bradshaw has figured out what we cat people have always known….Cats will NEVER give up ALL their secrets!
that is one of the many reasons why we love them sooooooooooooooo much!
There truly are things in the heaven and the earth that we are not meant to know nor mayhaps even understand.
Happy Sunday!!!
Luvs Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang >^..^<
easy rider
I think it’s impossible to write a book about all aspects of cats. They will be always a mystery and that’s what I love :o) Have agreat sunday!
The Island Cats
The mom says this sounds like an interesting book that she would want to read.
Sparkle
I would love to take a look at this book, but I have to say, we kitties are way beyond anything explainable by human science.