Behaviour of the Domestic Cat

"Despite a close, long-standing affiliation with humans, the domesticated cat remains an essential predator. The principal key to understanding the cat's behavioral repertoire is recognition of the fact that most of it derives from the cat's ancestral roots as a solitary hunter. The authors discuss behavior in the context of underlying neutral and sensory physiology. They also address developmental aspects of behavior, including socialization and the influence of kitten playfulness on subsequent adult behavior. The book briefly considers select behavioral problems in relation to disease states and to the complex social systems of cats. The latter, while typically appearing in multi-cat households, are often not appreciated by pet owners. This well-written, interesting book provides a great deal of information about the underlying mechanisms of behavior in domestic cats. The updated edition (1st ed., 1992) will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in the study of ethology. Summing Up: Highly recommended."