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The Cat Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore Review: A Practical, Accessible Feline Behavior Guide
Arden Moore's The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask (Storey Publishing, 2007) is a Q&A-format reference guide designed to demystify feline behavior — covering everything from catnip fascination and blanket kneading to hunting instincts and the many contradictions of cat personality. Drawing on Moore's animal expertise and current behavioral research at the time of publication, it earned praise from regional and national outlets as a handy, insight-packed resource well suited to both new and experienced cat owners.
LuvemBooks Verdict
Best for
Cat owners at any experience level — from first-time adopters to long-term companions — who want an accessible, expert-backed reference they can dip into whenever a specific feline behavior puzzles them.
Worth it if
You want a single, browsable volume grounded in behavioral research that explains the full range of feline quirks — from catnip fascination to hunting instincts — in a warm, readable voice you can consult as needed rather than read cover to cover.
Skip if
You need clinical depth on a specific behavioral condition or want the most current findings from animal cognition research, as the broad Q&A format and 2007 publication date mean individual topics receive condensed treatment and newer science may not be covered.
What readers & critics say
Retailer pages on hachettebookgroup.com and barnesandnoble.com surface press quotes describing the book as a great gift for new cat owners (Asbury Park Press) and praising Moore's voice as "wise, warm, witty, and friendly" across every page (Monadnock Ledger Transcript), while positioning Moore as a leading authority for cat owners seeking behavioral answers (The Desert Sun).
Sources: Hachette Book Group, Barnes & Noble4.3from 230 Amazon ratings— reader ratings, not a LuvemBooks score
In This Review
- What Works & What Doesn't
- What the Book Is and What It Covers
- Moore's Credentials and the Book's Approach
- Strengths: Tone, Breadth, and Gifting Appeal
- Limitations: Scope, Depth, and the Publication Date
- Who This Book Is For
What Works & What Doesn't
What Works
- Draws on Arden Moore's deep animal expertise and behavioral research, as noted by the Monadnock (N.H.) Ledger Transcript
- Q&A format lets readers navigate directly to specific behavioral topics without reading cover to cover
- Praised by the Asbury Park Press as a strong gift for new cat owners and a worthwhile read for existing ones
- Covers a genuinely wide range of feline behaviors — from catnip fascination and kneading to hunting instincts and personality quirks
- Consistent tone described by critics as wise, warm, witty, and friendly throughout
What Doesn't
- The broad Q&A format means individual topics may receive condensed treatment; readers seeking clinical depth on specific conditions may need additional sources
- Published in 2007, so readers interested in the most current animal cognition or veterinary behavioral science may want to supplement with newer research
A solid, well-sourced introduction to feline behavior that earns its place on any cat owner's reference shelf.
What the Book Is and What It Covers
The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask by Arden Moore front cover
The Cat Behavior Answer Book is a practical reference guide — not a memoir, narrative nonfiction, or training manual in the traditional sense — structured around the questions cat owners most commonly ask. Arden Moore, the author of more than two dozen books on cats and dogs, sets out to explain the mysteries behind feline thoughts and actions: why cats are drawn to catnip, what drives the kneading of blankets, why the hunting instinct persists even in pampered indoor pets, and dozens of other behavioral complexities. The publisher's description frames the book's dual nature neatly: cats, it notes, are "lovable, funny, attentive listeners, and wonderfully cuddly" while also being "tenacious, persnickety, and maddeningly aloof" — and it is precisely that contradiction that the book is designed to untangle. The stated goal is to give owners a working understanding of what drives their cat's quirky personality so they can strengthen the bond and maximize quality time with their pet.
“Moore's own animal expertise…as well as the latest research into animal behavior”
Moore's Credentials and the Book's Approach
A distinguishing feature of this guide is the depth of expertise behind it. The Monadnock (N.H.) Ledger Transcript noted that the book reflects "Moore's own animal expertise…as well as the latest research into animal behavior," and that the voice throughout is "wise, warm, witty, and friendly" — a combination that keeps the material accessible without dumbing it down. The Desert Sun of Palm Springs went further, positioning Moore as the go-to authority for confused cat owners. That expertise is channeled through an answer-book format, meaning readers can flip directly to a topic of concern rather than reading cover to cover — a structural choice that prioritizes usability for owners dealing with a specific behavioral puzzle. The Orlando Sentinel, reviewing both this title and Moore's companion volume, described the pair as "handy guides…packed with insights and facts," underscoring the density of practical content on offer.
Strengths: Tone, Breadth, and Gifting Appeal
The book's reception points to two consistent strengths: its tone and its range. The Monadnock coverage highlighted that Moore's voice remains consistently engaging regardless of where a reader enters the text — a meaningful endorsement for a reference book that may be consulted in fragments rather than read straight through. The Asbury Park Press called it a great gift for anyone newly sharing their home with a cat, while also noting it holds value for existing owners — a dual audience that speaks to the book's breadth. It does not narrow itself to a single behavioral challenge or cat type; instead it sweeps across the full complexity of feline behavior, making it a single-volume resource rather than a niche deep-dive.
Limitations: Scope, Depth, and the Publication Date
No reference guide covering this much ground can go deep on every topic, and readers seeking highly specialized or clinical detail on specific behavioral conditions may find the Q&A format too broad for their needs. The answer-book structure, while convenient for casual browsing, also means that nuanced topics may receive condensed treatment relative to a book dedicated to a single subject. Additionally, the book was published in 2007, and while the behavioral fundamentals of feline psychology are enduring, some readers with an interest in the most current research in animal cognition or veterinary behavioral science may want to supplement it with more recent sources. This is not a flaw in the book as originally conceived, but it is a practical consideration for a reader picking it up today.
Who This Book Is For
The Cat Behavior Answer Book is designed for cat owners at any experience level who want a readable, expert-backed explanation of why their cat behaves the way it does. The Asbury Park Press specifically highlighted its value for new cat owners, and that framing holds — someone just beginning life with a feline companion will find the accessible format and warm tone a low-barrier entry point. But the breadth of topics covered, and the grounding in behavioral research that reviewers noted, means that longer-tenured owners curious about specific habits or seeking to troubleshoot behavioral challenges will also find it worth keeping within reach. Published by Storey Publishing and available in both print and digital editions, it remains one of Moore's most recognized titles in a catalog built entirely around cats and dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
is The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers by Arden Moore worth reading
Yes, for most cat owners it earns its place as a go-to reference — the Monadnock Ledger Transcript praised Moore's voice as "wise, warm, witty, and friendly," and the Orlando Sentinel described it as "packed with insights and facts." The main caveat is that it was published in 2007, so readers hungry for the very latest animal cognition or veterinary behavioral science research may want to supplement it with more recent sources.
What is this book actually about
It's a Q&A-format reference guide designed to explain the "why" behind feline behavior — things like why cats are drawn to catnip, what drives blanket kneading, and why the hunting instinct persists even in pampered indoor pets. The goal, as the reviewer frames it, is to give owners a working understanding of what drives their cat's quirky personality so they can strengthen the bond and maximize quality time with their pet.
Is this book good for new cat owners
The Asbury Park Press specifically called it a great gift for anyone newly sharing their home with a cat, and the reviewer agrees that the accessible Q&A format and warm tone make it a low-barrier entry point for beginners. That said, it also holds genuine value for longer-tenured owners troubleshooting specific behavioral challenges, so it's not exclusively a beginner's book.
Does this book go deep on specific cat behavior problems
It covers a wide sweep of feline behavior rather than diving deep into any single issue — the reviewer notes that nuanced topics may receive condensed treatment relative to a book dedicated to one subject. Readers seeking highly specialized or clinical detail on specific behavioral conditions may find the Q&A format too broad for their needs.
Do you have to read this book cover to cover
Not at all — the answer-book structure is specifically designed so readers can flip directly to a topic of concern rather than reading straight through. The Monadnock Ledger Transcript even highlighted that Moore's engaging voice holds up regardless of where a reader enters the text, which is a meaningful endorsement for a reference book likely consulted in fragments.
Is this book outdated
It was published in 2007, and the reviewer acknowledges that while the behavioral fundamentals of feline psychology are enduring, readers interested in the most current research in animal cognition or veterinary behavioral science may want to supplement it with more recent sources. This isn't framed as a flaw in the book itself, but it is a practical consideration for anyone picking it up today.
What makes this book different from other cat behavior books
Two things stand out: Arden Moore's depth of expertise — the Monadnock Ledger Transcript noted the book reflects her own animal expertise as well as research into animal behavior — and its unusually broad range, sweeping across the full complexity of feline behavior rather than narrowing to a single challenge or cat type. The Desert Sun of Palm Springs went so far as to position Moore as the go-to authority for confused cat owners, which speaks to how the book is perceived against the wider field.
Sources & Further Reading
The key facts and claims in this review are grounded in the retrieved, verified sources listed below.
- Cited in this review
- 1
- 2
ardenmoore.com
- Further reading
- 3
hachettebookgroup.com
- 4
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