It's amazing how much more there is to know about cats than we used to think. In fact, my dad wouldn't think any of these books are necessary, since he grew up with farm cats that fended for themselves in the barn. Our goal is keep up with current information that helps us be better health advocates for our cats, informed and able to communicate with our veterinarians.  

We have the following books in our library.

Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life. Elizabeth M. Hodgkins, DVM, Esq. A great resource for all cat enthusiasts---from the novice seeking basic information to the more sophisticated owner looking for detail. Well organized with information that is easy to find.

277 Secrets Your Cat Wants You to Know:  A Cat-alog of Unusual and Useful Information.  Paulette Cooper & Paul Noble.  This book not only answers questions such as, "can a cat see what's on TV?", it also discusses behavior, health and allergy problems (of both you and your cat).

Supercat:  Raising the Perfect Feline Companion.  Dr. Michael W. Fox.  Published in 1990, this book is out of print now but you can locate it through both Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com's book finder service and it's well worth it.

That Yankee Cat:  The Maine Coon. Marilus Hornidge.  This is a great reference book if you're researching the breed or have just acquired a Maine Coon cat.  In addition to excellent current information and pictures, Ms. Hornidge tells the myths and the history of the breed, from the Madison Square Garden cat show in 1895, when a brown tabby female Maine cat named Cosie was best of show, to the development of the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association in 1968.

This is the Maine Coon Cat. Sharyn P. Bass.  Wonderful pictures, history and development of the breed, information on entering a cat show, and Maine Coon care and management all make this a comprehensive and fun book for Maine Coon owners to have in their library.

Guide to Owning a Maine Coon Cat. Abigail Greene.  Another nice book with good pictures to illustrate the standards of what makes a Maine Coon cat, and information on the breed's background, character, care and grooming.

The Feline Patient: Third edition. Gary Norsworthy, Mitchell Crystal, Sharon Fooshee Grace, Larry Tilley. Contributions from experts, practical, user-friendly format, designed to meet the needs of practioners. Timely and authoritative. An essecntial reference.

The Cornell Book of Cats.  Edited by Mordecai Siegal.  This is a comprehensive medical reference book written by the faculty and staff of the Cornell Feline Health Center at Cornell University.  It contains current information on medicine, nutrition, sex, reproduction, first aid, genetics, anatomy, breeds, aging and new diagnostic techniques.

Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook. Authored by a team of four veterinarians led by Dr. Debra Eldredge. Newly updated and revised in 2008, with information on new technologies, advanced diagnostic techniques, newly emerging diseases, and recent research on drugs, vaccines and surgeries. From cutting-edge diagnostics to alternative therapies, the book is organized by body system, with a comprehensive index in the back and a handy mini-index inside the front covers. Current information about the causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of common as well as unusual animal health problems, from allergies to cancer. Sections are also included on first aid and medication, as well as instructions on how to monitor a pet's vital signs.

The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health. (Merck, $23) More than 100 veterinarians, most with advanced degrees and certification, contributed. Within each section is an encyclopedic listing of disorders and body systems, as well as an overview on routine care and preventive medicine, often in surprising detail.

The American Red Cross Safety Series Vol. 3: Cat First Aid. This spiral-bound book comes with a companion DVD that gives step-by-step instructions on how to give first aid. The sections on animal poisoning are particularly impressive, as is the information on what to do in an emergency until veterinary care can be obtained. Available online at the Red Cross website or by calling (866) 782-3347.

Pills for Pets: The A to Z Guide to Drugs and Medications for Your Animal Companion. Dr. Debra Eldredge, Citadel, $15, 256 pages. Lists drugs by brand and generic names, covers issues including online pharmacies and compounded medications, and gives tips on how to get medicine into the pets – yes, even cats.

Reigning Cats and Dogs:  Good Nutrition for Healthy Happy Animals Pat McKay. This book is easy to understand and read, a good starting point if you are interested in making your own cat food or wondering what natural supplements would be good to add to your cat's diet.

Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.  Richard H. Pitcairn, Susan Hubble Pitcairn, Michael W. Fox.   A valuable reference, this book contains more detail on specific problems than Anitra Frazier's book.  Dr. Pitcairn describes specific herbs, homeopathic treatments and diet regimes (including special diets for individual problems) for various conditions.

The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs & Cats.  Diane Stein.  This is a very informative guide to the use of nutrition, vitamins, mineral, massage, herbs and homeopathy to give your cat health and vitality.   The author brings together innovative ideas from many authorities on natural pet care.

Heal Your Cat the Natural Way.  Richard Allport.  Recently, more people have returned to natural treatments that work with their body to support its natural healing processes.  In this book, Richard Allport explains how the natural treatments used by people can be adapted to promote the health and well-being of your pet.  His concise explanations of common diseases and conditions are accompanied by a suggested homeopathic, herbal or aromatherapy treatment.

The Cat Care Book.  Sheldon L. Gerstenfeld, V.M.D.  This is a basic care book with charts that give the probable diagnosis and treatment of common ailments, step-by-step first aid, diagrams, items you need for your home pharmacy, and information on nutrition, exercise, training, choosing a veterinarian.

Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat.   Juliette De Bairacli Levy.  A great book if you would like more in-depth information on treating animals herbally.  Ms. Levy is the acknowledged authority on herbs for animals.

Legacy of the Cat:  The Ultimate Illustrated Guide.   Gloria Stephens, photos by Tetsu Yamazaki.  This beautiful book is written by Gloria Stephens, one of the top feline genetics experts in the world and a cat show judge for many years. The book details all the major cat breeds, as well as providing detailed information about colors and genetics that is very easy to understand.

Breeding Pedigreed Cats.  Carolyn M. Vella, John J. McGonagle.  This excellent book has very current information, written in 1997 by experienced breeders.  It covers all issues you may face when breeding cats.

Breeding Purebred Cats.  Anne S. Moore.  An excellent practical book that includes information on the less pleasant aspects of breeding.  The section on kitten births is excellent, including a list of supplies to have in your birthing kit.

Genetics for Cat Breeders.  Roy Robinson.  This bookis the "bible" of cat genetics.  It is not light reading but essential for serious breeders and necessary for a complete understanding of coat colors.

Cats:  Homeopathic Remedies.  George Macleod.  This is a very technical book for those who are serious about homeopathic treatments.

Four Paws Five Directions:  A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs.  I find this an interesting description of Chinese medicine in general.  I skimmed it hoping to find a pressure point to relax the Lone Ranger at cat shows (he has always preferred to be home looking out the window than to be at a cat show).

Hand-raising the Orphaned Kitten.   M.L. Papurt, DVM.  Published 1999.  All the information you will ever need.  You can get it for $9.00 from Amazon.com and they can overnight it to you.

The Cat Who Couldn't See in the Dark: Veterinary Mysteries and Advice on Feline Care and Behavior.  S. Howard Padwee, et al.  Hardcover.  Published 1997.  Dr. Padwee has a small animal practice in Manhattan where he gained a reputation for solving feline medical mysteries.  This book dispenses practical advice in the form of true-life tales and case histories from a veterinarian. 

Cats Have No Masters...Just Friends: An Investigation into the Feline Mind.  Karen Anderson. Hardcover.  Published 1998.  The author says "While many cats ARE well-nurtured and looked after with great care and attention, lots of cat owners need a gentle, firm, humorous and frank talking-to about how to relate more effectively and satisfyingly with the cats in their lives.  Great cat books abound, but I couldn't find one that simply, clearly and emphatically addressed the issues I felt passionate about - so I wrote one myself.  I truly believe that you will come away from reading my book with new ideas, new hope, new enthusiasm and new appreciation for the cat(s) in YOUR life. 

Fat Cat, Finicky Cat: A Pet Owner's Guide to Cat Food and Feline Nutrition.  Karen Leigh Davis. Paperback.  Published 1997.  A practical book of do's and don'ts.  Dispels many myths and explains the basics of feline nutrition throughout a cat's natural life.  Discusses the pros and cons of commercial cat food and much more.  Gives cat lovers the guidelines they need for keeping their cat happy and healthy. 

The Healthy Cat Book: Feline Care and Cuisine.  Alexandra Bastedo, Jeannie Kemnitzer.  Hardcover.  Published 1999.  

The Well Adjusted Cat: Feline Chiropractic Methods You Can Do.  Daniel R., Dr. Kamen, Amy Sibiga (Illustrator).  Paperback.  Published 1997.  

Your Healthy Cat: Homeopathic Medicines for Common Feline Ailments.  H. G. Wolff.  Paperback.  Published 1991.

An Atlas of Cat Anatomy.  By Hazel Elizabeth Field.  Paperback.  Published 1969 

Your Aging Cat: How to Keep Your Cat Physically and Mentally Healthy into Old Age.  by Kim Campbell Thornton, John Hamil (Contributor), Kim Campbell Thronton.  This is a wonderful book, written with love and lots of essential information for the owner of an older cat. Great sections on nutrition and age-specific health problems.  It's out of print, but you can get it through both Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com's book finder service.

First Aid for Cats: What to Do When Emergencies Happen.  by Bruce Fogle.  How to perform CPR on a cat.  What causes swollen paws.  First Aid for Cats answers these and many other questions about feline health emergencies.  Step-by-step diagrams and charts help owners recognize and handle
emergencies competently.  

Ask the Vet: A Feline Wellness Handbook.  Mary Sorensen, et al / Paperback / Published 1999.