Cat Sense

How the New Feline Science Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet

By: John Bradshaw

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Cats have been popular household pets for thousands of years, and their numbers only continue to rise. Today there are three cats for every dog on the planet, yet cats remain more mysterious, even to their most adoring owners. In Cat Sense, renowned anthrozoologist John Bradshaw takes us further into the mind of the domestic cat than ever before, using cutting-edge scientific research to explain the true nature - and needs - of our feline friends. Tracing the cat’s evolution from solitary hunter to domesticated companion, Bradshaw shows that cats remain independent, predatory, and wary of social contact, qualities that often clash with the demands of our modern lifestyles.

If we’re to live in harmony with cats, Bradshaw contends, we first need to understand and adapt to their ancient quirks. A must-listen for any cat lover, Cat Sense challenges our most basic assumptions about cats and promises to dramatically improve their lives - and ours.

©2013 John Bradshaw (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Informative

Comprehensive and informative review of cat evolution and behavior. Not the most exciting audiobook but definitely helpful in understanding cat behavior.

Not what I had expected

As a cat lover, I was looking for a book that could "make you a better friend to your pet", but this wasn't it. Though impressed by the endless genetic and genealogical information, it was a very tedious listen for me. The few snippets relating to contemporary diet, behaviour and breeding were great and had me listening to every word. Probably 1 interesting hour out of an 11 hour audiobook.

Great book but lots of assumptions

It's a fun listen, and a lot of the science will surprise you. Not with its accuracy but with how poor the scientists designed the experiments. A great book for any cat lover. The voice actor is pleasant to listen to.

Gift this book to a doctor or a biology teacher

What did you love best about Cat Sense?

I think it's best for listers who miss animal tv shows with British narreations. there is a lot of insights into what a cat can or cannot understand.

Would you be willing to try another book from John Bradshaw? Why or why not?

I haven't finish the book and its my first reading

What does Graeme Malcolm bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Informed BRITISH NARRATION WITH A PACE THAT IS GOOD FOR NOTE TAKING.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was reassured that cats have a capacity for love and affection and can be nurtured and except love from humans!

Any additional comments?

Because of all of this factual information; I expect the leave lots of bookmarks and review what I haven't understood.

Understanding Cats

What made the experience of listening to Cat Sense the most enjoyable?

I have three cats plus have had four who have since passed. One is a feral and one lost her mother at two weeks. Bradshaw explained their behavior and made me understand them both better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cat Sense?

How kittens learn behaviors and need human socialization.

LIKE READING THE ENCYCLOPEDIA

What did you like best about Cat Sense? What did you like least?

Good information. Good for reference material, but not accessible. You have to go through the whole thing if you're only looking for one problem.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Street Cat Bob

What didn’t you like about Graeme Malcolm’s performance?

Droned. But what can you do with the encylopedia?

Was Cat Sense worth the listening time?

Not really

Any additional comments?

I couldn't get through it because it was so dry.

Not Cat Sense

The tittle is misleading. It goes over more catngenetics and evolution of the specie than abaout behaviour and habits of a domestic cat which is what most listeners were insterestwd about when purchasing this book. I agree with other reviewera that out of the 11+hrs, porbably 1-2 hrs were about cat behaviour and our understanding of them so we can be better cats parents.

Thorough, sympathetic and beautifully read!

Where does Cat Sense rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I learned SO MUCH about cats from this book. Am now reading his book The Trainable Cat. Mr. Bradshaw is a true friend and important ally to cats.

What does Graeme Malcolm bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Narrator captures the tone perfectly.

Any additional comments?

Just loved it!

Comprehensive

John Bradshaw's research on feline science was thorough and interesting. His going back in history and tracing the feline species across time and geography was a cerebral book. I gave the book 4-stars, because it is the best book on cats I've found.

Excellent and essential- though not as expected

Would you consider the audio edition of Cat Sense to be better than the print version?

Yes. This could have been more boring in text though images would be nice to complement this kind of information. I thought this would be about how to handle or live with cats effectively (for all). It ended that way but was mostly about the history and evolution of the cat and it's relationship with humanity. Therefore most of the narration was about the history of cruelty and brutality visited upon the cat by humans for centuries at a time. When I realized the whole book would focus on this history I went to turn it off but then decided I really should know more about this history. And I noticed this presentation was more palatable than when I have read of this dark history.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cat Sense?

The discussion about PENDING inadvertent harm to the cat species due to 'blanket neutering' was alarming. Points out that when we neuter all pet cats before they reproduce, we prevent all human-friendly cats from reproducing.Therefore only more feral and untamable cats will be available for reproduction leading to a return to mutual hostility between cats and humans. This can only bring a return to cultural acceptance of the brutal treatment of cats. He points out that unthinkable cruelty from humans has returned to regions that had grown in affection and respect for cats. Therefore the cat's acceptance by humans is very shallow culturally across the globe. This suggests humans are more likely to reject and abuse the more wild cats we are grooming genetically.He suggests only a global collaboration between cat advocates and breeders (who are now adding to the problem) can turn the current tide to avoid a most unfortunate future for cats as well as the humans who love them.

What does Graeme Malcolm bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He did a nice job of keeping the information unemotional as well as frank and compassionate toward the cat. He continually spoke of the cat's personality (as well as cultural ignorance and hysteria) as the driver as well as victim of its mostly unfortunate history.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

What we think we know about the cat and how wrong we are.

Any additional comments?

WE SHOULD ALL HEAR THIS INFORMATION BECAUSE THE CAT'S WELFARE CONTINUES TO BE ON THIN ICE. Most of the recent writings about cat behavior are introducing awareness that has been missing in most of the common lore about cats. Those of us who love cats the most must update our information and participate in correcting public consciousness. We still have a long way to go even for the cats we now care for.