The Cat Who Cried for Help: Attitudes, Emotions, and the Psychology of Cats | 
 enlarge | Author: Nicholas Dodman
Publisher: Bantam
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy Used: $2.53
You Save: $12.47 (83%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  31 reviews
Sales Rank: 75893
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 0553378546
Dewey Decimal Number: 636.8089689
EAN: 9780553378542
ASIN: 0553378546
Publication Date: February 2, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: Visible shelf wear -- may have some notes/markings on pages
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Amazon.com Review
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, professor of behavioral pharmacology at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and director of the Behavior Clinic, turns his attention to our feline friends and their mysterious minds in iThe Cat Who Cried for Help/i. Similar to Dodman's discussion of dog behavioral problems in his popular first book, iThe Dog Who Loved Too Much/i, iThe Cat Who Cried for Help/i examines aggravating cat habits and undesirable behavior, and shows how modifications in such areas as diet, exercise, and environment cause remarkable improvements in the majority of problem cats. Divided into three sections, Dodman first tackles aggressive behavior, followed by emotional behavior, and compulsive cats. With examples from his own practice, Dodman intelligently communicates symptoms, treatment options, and helpful tips for prevention. Vital to his treatment is maintaining the cat's dignified and independent nature, an objective sure to please those cat owners irritated by certain kitty traits but concerned first and foremost for the health and well-being of their cats. Praised by author Elizabeth Marshall Thomas as "a thoughtful and creative approach to changing detrimental behavior," iThe Cat Who Cried for Help/i is perfect for cat owners interested in better understanding their fascinating feline.
Product Description
In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Nicholas Dodman does for feline psychology what he did for canines in his widely acclaimed iThe Dog Who Loved Too Much./iHere he reveals the fascinating, and often frustrating, mind of one of our most popular--and certainly most independent--animal companions, and shows how we can coexist peacefully with even the stubbornest of cats.brbrWhat do you do about a cat determined to tear your sofa to shreds?Or one who gorges himself on your best running shoes . . . or attacks anyone who dares to open the refrigerator door?Drawing on remarkable real-life stories from his practice at the prestigious Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Dodman shares the unique, compassionate, dramatically successful treatment programs that have given problem cats a new lease on life . . . and their perplexed owners long-term solutions to even the most intractable disorders.brbrAs any cat owner knows, changing a cat's behavior can seem like an impossible task.But contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained and cured of irritating habits and undesirable behaviors.iThe Cat Who Cried for Help/i shows how minor adjustments in diet, exercise regimen, and environment can effect dramatic breakthroughs in resolving almost any feline problem.From cat panic attacks to eating disorders, from litterbox aversion to depression and a wide range of feline phobias, Dr. Dodman has successfully treated and resolved these and many other heretofore untreatable behaviors.brbrInside, you'll meet Ashley, the boss-cat who literally bites the hand that feeds him; Jonathan, the binge-eater; Rubles, the Abyssinian Jekyll and Hyde, pussycat one minute, man-eating tiger the next; and Thomas, the cat who cried for help--a little too loudly.Dr. Dodman's techniques are based on the most up-to-date research in pharmacology and feline behaviorism.Yet the primary objective of his treatments is to respect and protect the qualities of independence and dignity fundamental to a cat's nature.brbrIncluding descriptions of symptoms, treatment options, and tips on prevention, iThe Cat Who Cried for Help/i provides everything you need to know to ensure both you and your feline friend a long, happy, and healthy relationship.If you've ever wanted to better understand the nature of this mysterious, enigmatic, and fascinating creature, Dr. Dodman's book provides a penetrating look into the intriguing and intricate world of the cat in your life.brbrbriFrom the Hardcover edition./i
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| Customer Reviews: Read 26 more reviews...
 The Cat Who Cried for Help August 29, 2008
If you have an extremely disturbed cat and are considering destroying it, this book makes a point that there may be other ways to solve the problem. The author describes some truly frightening situations and have had what sound like pretty good outcomes.br /br /Its a well written book. My main criticism is that the cat behaviors described, although no doubt true, seem extreme and not something that I would actually expect to see.br /br /I have seen an extremely disturbed cat, but she was nowhere near as deranged as some of the cats described in this book.br /br /If you have a normal cat and just want to learn more about its behavior, this book is probably not what you are looking for (in my opinion). However, if you want the courage to help a problem cat in your house, this could give you several suggestions to talk over with your vet.
 Very helpful and enlightening. May 4, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have not read the whole thing yet, BUT I am finding the stories in it entertaining and helpful, as well as enlightening about cat behavior and things I personally do that may aggravate and/or help to relax my cat. Glad my vet recommended this to me and glad I followed her advice.
 Downright Scary November 24, 2007
8 out of 12 found this review helpful
After reading a fantastic book about natural remedies, homeopathic treatments and preventative care, and the dangers of introducing foreign substances into your animal (vaccinations, steroids and other traditional medications presumed to be "safe"), I was excited to expand my repetoire with a book about cat behavior and behavior modification techniques. I was horrified to find out that each case study basically ends with a prescription for a powerful drug, often-times an anti-depressant or tranquilizer, that I would be hesitant to use myself, much less introduce to a pet. Seems like most Americans are taking SOMETHING to keep them happy, or calm, help them fall asleep or stay awake, and apparently this "doping of America" extends to our pets as well. If you buy into that mentality and you're at your wit's end with your problem cat, then this book is for you. What unnerved me was at no point in the book did I see specific studies cited indicating that any of these drugs were tested and found to be safe for our pets. br /br /After reading previous research regarding vaccinations, not to mention recent pet food scares, I'm pretty skeptical of anyone pushing the traditional "western" treatment techniques when it comes to our pets who are thrust into an unregulated food and drug industry with little protection except for their owners who may (or may not) be willing to do the extra research to learn the real story behind these highly profit-driven industries. I was surprised at how many pet food companies don't care so much about the pets we consider to be family members, and won't think twice about using diseased, drugged and rotten meat in their products because it's cheap and no one is telling them they can't do so. Similarly, the same drug companies that advertise ad nauseum to HUMANS in prime time are producing drugs and vaccines for our pets and we know how powerful and persuasive THOSE companies are--far be it for a vet to speak out against them, especially when the majority of their business comes from annual re-vaccinations, whether or not they're necessary. br /br /If you prefer to get to the root of the problem and really change the behavior without harsh checicals and quick fixes, pat yourself on the back and bypass this book. If you see nothing wrong with doping up your cat (or dog), I urge you to ask some tough questions and educate yourself first, if you don't look out for your pet's health and well-being, no one else will.
 BuSpar Feline Nation; Listening to Buspirone November 8, 2007
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
Dodson writes well and describes cats with affection. In virtually every case, however, the afflicted cat ends up being treated with buspirone. (Dodson does not mention any tips on how to get cats to take the pills.)br /br /I STOPPED reading on page 115--about half-way through the book when yet another cat was medicated. At the bottom of page 115 Dodson reveals that he has a patent on buspirone. Dodson has, according to the back jacket of the book "four patents for the pharmacological control of behavior problems". br /br /While behavior problems can and should be humanely addressed, I wonder if forcing pills on cats cannot end up being counter-productive. Certainly it can help some of the time, especially if your cat likes to take pills. But the book ends up reading like one long advertisement for feline SSRI's.
 Empathetic and enlightening October 22, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
My 15-year-old cat had become anorexic and suffered from disorientation and insomnia after the death of a companion animal; after several months, his health was rapidly declining. After reading this book, I decided to ask my vet to give him anti-depressants. Within 24 hours, my cat was sleeping and eating normally. Anti-depressants can be wrongly prescribed for cats, just as they can be for people, but there are times when they can save a cat's life. This book opened my eyes to treatment options I had never considered.
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