Product Description

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Nicholas Dodman does for feline psychology what he did for canines in his widely acclaimed The Dog Who Loved Too Much.  Here he reveals the fascinating, and often frustrating, mind of one of our most popular--and certainly most independent--animal companions, and shows how we can coexist peacefully with even the stubbornest of cats.

What do you do about a cat determined to tear your sofa to shreds?  Or one who gorges himself on your best running shoes . . . or attacks anyone who dares to open the refrigerator door?  Drawing on remarkable real-life stories from his practice at the prestigious Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Dodman shares the unique, compassionate, dramatically successful treatment programs that have given problem cats a new lease on life . . . and their perplexed owners long-term solutions to even the most intractable disorders.

As any cat owner knows, changing a cat's behavior can seem like an impossible task.  But contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained and cured of irritating habits and undesirable behaviors.  The Cat Who Cried for Help shows how minor adjustments in diet, exercise regimen, and environment can effect dramatic breakthroughs in resolving almost any feline problem.  From cat panic attacks to eating disorders, from litterbox aversion to depression and a wide range of feline phobias, Dr. Dodman has successfully treated and resolved these and many other heretofore untreatable behaviors.

Inside, you'll meet Ashley, the boss-cat who literally bites the hand that feeds him; Jonathan, the binge-eater; Rubles, the Abyssinian Jekyll and Hyde, pussycat one minute, man-eating tiger the next; and Thomas, the cat who cried for help--a little too loudly.  Dr. Dodman's techniques are based on the most up-to-date research in pharmacology and feline behaviorism.  Yet the primary objective of his treatments is to respect and protect the qualities of independence and dignity fundamental to a cat's nature.

Including descriptions of symptoms, treatment options, and tips on prevention, The Cat Who Cried for Help provides everything you need to know to ensure both you and your feline friend a long, happy, and healthy relationship.  If you've ever wanted to better understand the nature of this mysterious, enigmatic, and fascinating creature, Dr. Dodman's book provides a penetrating look into the intriguing and intricate world of the cat in your life.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #144830 in Books
• Published on: 1999-02-02
• Released on: 1999-02-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Amazon.com
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, professor of behavioral pharmacology at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and director of the Behavior Clinic, turns his attention to our feline friends and their mysterious minds in The Cat Who Cried for Help. Similar to Dodman's discussion of dog behavioral problems in his popular first book, The Dog Who Loved Too Much, The Cat Who Cried for Help examines aggravating cat habits and undesirable behavior, and shows how modifications in such areas as diet, exercise, and environment cause remarkable improvements in the majority of problem cats. Divided into three sections, Dodman first tackles aggressive behavior, followed by emotional behavior, and compulsive cats. With examples from his own practice, Dodman intelligently communicates symptoms, treatment options, and helpful tips for prevention. Vital to his treatment is maintaining the cat's dignified and independent nature, an objective sure to please those cat owners irritated by certain kitty traits but concerned first and foremost for the health and well-being of their cats. Praised by author Elizabeth Marshall Thomas as "a thoughtful and creative approach to changing detrimental behavior," The Cat Who Cried for Help is perfect for cat owners interested in better understanding their fascinating feline.

From Library Journal
Every year millions of cats are euthanized because their owners are no longer able to cope with their behaviors. An innovative leader in the treatment of domestic animal behavior who holds three patents for pharmacological solutions to such problems, Dodman (director, Animal Behavior Clinic, Tufts Univ. Sch. of Veterinary Medicine) demonstrates how even some of the most difficult behaviors can be changed by using a combination of behavior modification and in some cases drug therapies. He discusses three main types of problems in cats: aggression; emotional behaviors such as inappropriate elimination, excessive vocalization, and clawing on furniture; and compulsive behaviors such as hair pulling. Cat owners will welcome Dodman's sound advice and may find here the clues to better understanding their feline companions. Like its predecessor, The Dog Who Loved Too Much (LJ 2/1/96), this book is highly recommended for its clarity, practicality, and genuine concern of the author.?Edell Marie Schaefer, Brookfield P.L., Wis.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"A wonderful and splendid follow-up to The Dog Who Loved Too Much, The Cat Who Cried for Help presents a thoughtful and creative approach to changing detrimental behavior in animals who depend on our goodwill. . . . I love Dr. Dodman's work!"
--Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Tribe of Tiger and The Hidden Life of Dogs

"I applaud Dr. Dodman's approach.  His book establishes a new frontier for the veterinary profession and is essential reading for all who live with cats."
--Dr. Michael W. Fox, author of Understanding Your Cat and vice president of The Humane Society of the United States

"The Cat Who Cried for Help is an interesting and timely book."
--Bruce Fogle, D.VM., M.R.C.VS., author of The Cat's Mind and Encyclopedia of the Cat

"There's a new pet savior in town--Dr. Nicholas Dodman brings the same wisdom, warmth, and miracle working to cats that pet lovers cheered in The Dog Who Loved Too Much.  Every pet owner who loves their cat should buy this book."
--Michael Capuzzo, author of Wild Things and Mutts: America's Dogs

"The Cat Who Cried for Help is a fine addition to any animal lover's library, but a must for cat lovers."
--Betty White


From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews

Very helpful and enlightening.
I have not read the whole thing yet, BUT I am finding the stories in it entertaining and helpful, as well as enlightening about cat behavior and things I personally do that may aggravate and/or help to relax my cat. Glad my vet recommended this to me and glad I followed her advice.

Downright Scary
After reading a fantastic book about natural remedies, homeopathic treatments and preventative care, and the dangers of introducing foreign substances into your animal (vaccinations, steroids and other traditional medications presumed to be "safe"), I was excited to expand my repetoire with a book about cat behavior and behavior modification techniques. I was horrified to find out that each case study basically ends with a prescription for a powerful drug, often-times an anti-depressant or tranquilizer, that I would be hesitant to use myself, much less introduce to a pet. Seems like most Americans are taking SOMETHING to keep them happy, or calm, help them fall asleep or stay awake, and apparently this "doping of America" extends to our pets as well. If you buy into that mentality and you're at your wit's end with your problem cat, then this book is for you. What unnerved me was at no point in the book did I see specific studies cited indicating that any of these drugs were tested and found to be safe for our pets.

After reading previous research regarding vaccinations, not to mention recent pet food scares, I'm pretty skeptical of anyone pushing the traditional "western" treatment techniques when it comes to our pets who are thrust into an unregulated food and drug industry with little protection except for their owners who may (or may not) be willing to do the extra research to learn the real story behind these highly profit-driven industries. I was surprised at how many pet food companies don't care so much about the pets we consider to be family members, and won't think twice about using diseased, drugged and rotten meat in their products because it's cheap and no one is telling them they can't do so. Similarly, the same drug companies that advertise ad nauseum to HUMANS in prime time are producing drugs and vaccines for our pets and we know how powerful and persuasive THOSE companies are--far be it for a vet to speak out against them, especially when the majority of their business comes from annual re-vaccinations, whether or not they're necessary.

If you prefer to get to the root of the problem and really change the behavior without harsh checicals and quick fixes, pat yourself on the back and bypass this book. If you see nothing wrong with doping up your cat (or dog), I urge you to ask some tough questions and educate yourself first, if you don't look out for your pet's health and well-being, no one else will.

BuSpar Feline Nation; Listening to Buspirone
Dodson writes well and describes cats with affection. In virtually every case, however, the afflicted cat ends up being treated with buspirone. (Dodson does not mention any tips on how to get cats to take the pills.)

I STOPPED reading on page 115--about half-way through the book when yet another cat was medicated. At the bottom of page 115 Dodson reveals that he has a patent on buspirone. Dodson has, according to the back jacket of the book "four patents for the pharmacological control of behavior problems".

While behavior problems can and should be humanely addressed, I wonder if forcing pills on cats cannot end up being counter-productive. Certainly it can help some of the time, especially if your cat likes to take pills. But the book ends up reading like one long advertisement for feline SSRI's.