The Cat Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore Review: A Practical, Press-Praised Feline Guide

A well-sourced, press-praised reference for cat owners at any stage of their feline relationship, this guide earns its reputation through accessible expertise and broad practical scope.

The Cat Behavior Answer Book by Arden Moore is a non-fiction pet-care reference structured around the questions cat owners most commonly ask. Rather than reading as a linear narrative, the book is organized to let readers flip to whatever topic is most pressing — a design choice that suits the reference format. The full subtitle signals its ambition: Solutions to Every Problem You'll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You'll Ever Ask. Moore covers a wide behavioral terrain, from cats' inexplicable fascination with catnip and their habit of kneading blankets to chasing instincts, communication patterns, and the full spectrum of feline personality quirks. The book also addresses practical matters of training, feeding, and general care alongside the more puzzling dimensions of cat behavior. Originally published on July 20, 2007 by Storey Publishing (ISBN-13: 9781603421799), the book has since been issued in a completely updated second edition, as noted on Moore's own site.

Moore brings documented animal expertise to the subject, and the book draws on current behavioral research rather than anecdote alone. The Monadnock (N.H.) Ledger Transcript and Wilmington (N.C.) Star jointly described the book as reflecting "Moore's own animal expertise…as well as the latest research into animal behavior," noting that readers encounter "a wise, warm, witty, and friendly voice" on any page. That combination — grounded research delivered in an approachable register — is central to the book's design. The Desert Sun of Palm Springs called Moore a reliable guide for navigating feline confusion, while Barnes & Noble's product description echoes the dual portrait of cats the book addresses: lovable and cuddly on one hand, tenacious, persnickety, and aloof on the other.

The book's Q&A structure makes it genuinely navigable as a reference — readers are not required to read cover to cover but can locate specific behavioral puzzles as they arise. The Orlando Sentinel grouped The Cat Behavior Answer Book alongside its companion volume The Dog Behavior Answer Book as "handy guides…packed with insights and facts," a description that underscores the book's density of useful content within an accessible format. The Asbury Park Press recommended it both as "a great gift for a new human companion to a feline" and as a worthwhile personal purchase, suggesting it serves readers across experience levels — from first-time cat owners seeking a foundation to longer-term companions looking to deepen their understanding of a specific behavior.

Cat behavior is a crowded publishing category, and Moore's book distinguishes itself through the breadth of its question-and-answer approach and its grounding in behavioral research. The existence of a completely updated second edition indicates the book has maintained relevance beyond its original 2007 publication. It is particularly well-suited to owners who want a dip-in reference rather than a cover-to-cover read, and to those whose cats display behaviors that feel baffling or frustrating — the kneading, the midnight sprints, the selective affection. Readers seeking a deep academic treatment of feline ethology may find the accessible, conversational register less suited to their needs, but for the majority of cat-owning households the tone is positioned as a strength rather than a limitation.

Because the book is structured as a problem-and-answer guide covering a wide range of topics, readers looking for an in-depth exploration of any single behavioral issue may find individual entries relatively concise. The format prioritizes breadth and navigability over extended deep-dives into specific conditions or edge cases. Additionally, given that Moore's site notes the existence of a completely updated second edition, readers who want the most current behavioral research should confirm which edition they are purchasing, as the original edition and the revised edition reflect different states of the research landscape.