The Cat Fancier’s Association Complete Cat Book

By Edited by Mordecai Segal

   As soon as I saw the title of this book, I knew it was one book I could not live without. Cats have long been a part of my life. Our current feline-in-residence, Smokey, is as cherished a member of our family as any of her predecessors. She will probably not be the last cat I share my home with. As most cat lovers will tell you, you don’t own a cat, they won’t let you. They will attempt to own you and, most of the time, they succeed.

   If you love cats, especially if you share your life with one or more of them, The Complete Cat Book is an essential addition to your library. It is divided into six parts. Part 1 is a history of the Cat Fanciers’ Association, a group of people who love, breed, care for and show pedigreed cats. It also has a chapter on pedigreed cats, describing what makes a pedigreed cat.

   Part 2 has only one chapter. It lists all forty-one breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association. There is a description of each one, detailing specific coloring and traits of the breed. There are also photographs, both black-and-white and full-color, of each breed. Though each cat seen here is a pure-blooded representative of the breed, we will all see characteristics found in our own mixed-breed pets.

   Part 3: The Feline Experience tells how to select the right cat for your family, about cat shows and identifying coat colors and patterns in domestic cats. Part 4 deals with behavior and misbehavior, how to raise a new kitten and breeding cats. Part 5 deals with feline nutrition, properly feeding your cat. Part 6 gives tips on keeping your cat healthy.

   If you love cats, read this book. It’s informative in all aspects of cat life. It also gives insight into those lively balls of fur that shed all over our homes.