Review of The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Your Cat

This forum is for volunteer reviews by members of our review team. These reviews are done voluntarily by the reviewers and are published in this forum, separate from the official professional reviews. These reviews are kept separate primarily because the same book may be reviewed by many different reviewers.
Post Reply
User avatar
Burupya
Posts: 1
Joined: 21 Jan 2025, 10:53
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-burupya.html
Latest Review: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Your Cat by Jia Mau

Review of The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Your Cat

Post by Burupya »

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Your Cat" by Jia Mau.]
Book Cover
3 out of 5 stars
Share This Review


New cat owners: this book is for you.
I initially expected a heartwarming and engaging narrative, sharing relatable stories about life with cats and what their behaviors communicate, but this book is more focused on practical advice than personal stories. While the authors’ three floofs – Daisy, Fig and Lavender – make some appearances, I would have loved to know more about their distinct personalities and what they put the author through.
Instead, this ended up being a great guide for new cat owners, covering all the basics of cat care in a straightforward, almost textbook-style format. It’s thorough and accurate, offering useful advice on feeding, grooming, training, keeping cats stimulated, transporting them, and even moving houses. It also talks about potential hazards and provides guidance on what warrants a vet visit, which I greatly appreciate being a vet myself. That being said, more experienced cat parents may find the book less valuable. While there are some things you might not know, much of the content will already be familiar through your own experience.
I did have some concerns, particularly with the fact that this is a guide containing some medical advice and symptoms to watch for at home, yet it is written by someone without a medical background. This aspect feels somewhat lacking. While the information provided is not incorrect, it is often incomplete and appears influenced by the author's personal experiences with their own cats. One recommendation I strongly disagreed with was the suggestion to let your cat out of their carrier to sleep on the passenger seat while driving to reduce stress. This is extremely dangerous, and cats should always remain in a carrier when in a car, either placed in the trunk or secured with a seatbelt.
Although it might not be the most comprehensive guide out there, it’s a useful resource for new cat owners who want clear, practical advice. For experienced cat parents, it may still serve as a helpful refresher, but it’s not essential.
Rating: 3/5. While it’s a solid and practical guide for new cat owners, it lacks the depth and thoroughness needed to make it an exemplary resource. Additionally, the narrative style isn’t particularly engaging, as it focuses too heavily on factual advice instead of conveying the information in a more relatable and memorable way.

******
The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Your Cat
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Post Reply

Return to “Volunteer Reviews”