Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat - Not a Sour Puss

In this review of Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat - Not a Sour Puss, Pam Johnson-Bennett distills decades of feline experience into a single, approachable guide. The bottom line: this updated and revised edition is the most complete single-volume resource for everyday cat care and training, and it stands out because it teaches owners to change their perspective with practical, behavior-focused advice. Readers who want clear, humane ways to stop litterbox problems, curb scratching, and encourage good social behavior will find this book especially useful.

Key Features

• Complete behavior guidance: Covers how to understand common cat motivations so owners can prevent and resolve behavior issues rather than only react to them.
• Training made realistic: Presents step-by-step approaches that make it feasible to teach a cat basic routines and desirable habits without conflict.
• Practical health and care sections: Includes straightforward advice on routine health care and when to seek veterinary help so owners can keep cats well.
• Litterbox and environment fixes: Offers specific strategies to avoid and fix litterbox problems and to design a cat-friendly home that reduces stress.
• Scratch management: Recommends selecting and placing scratching posts and alternatives to redirect destructive scratching effectively.
• Updated and revised content: Reflects the author's ongoing experience and consolidates lessons from earlier works into a single accessible volume.

Who It's For

This book is best for new kitten guardians, long-time cat owners facing behavior challenges, and anyone who prefers humane, behavior-based methods over punishment. It is particularly helpful for owners who want a single reference they can consult on training, home setup, and common health concerns.

Those seeking highly technical veterinary procedures, breed-specific breeding guidance, or an academic treatise on feline biology should look elsewhere; this book focuses on practical everyday care and behavior rather than clinical or breeding specialties.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive coverage that combines training, health, and environmental advice in one place.
• Clear, humane strategies that make training a cat seem achievable for most owners.
• Useful, actionable tips on litterbox problems and choosing scratching posts that reduce household stress.

Cons

• Not a veterinary text, so readers will need a professional for serious medical issues.

Specifications

Title	Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat - Not a Sour Puss
Author	Pam Johnson-Bennett
Edition	Fully updated and revised
Audience	Cat owners, kitten guardians, behavior-focused readers
Topics covered	Training, litterbox problems, scratching, basic health care, finding a vet
Approach	Behavior-focused, humane training techniques

Our Verdict

Think Like a Cat is a highly practical, well-organized guide that gives owners the tools to understand and shape feline behavior. It represents good value for anyone who wants one reliable reference on training, routine care, and household fixes; buy it if you prefer behavior-based, humane methods and clear, usable solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for new kitten owners?
Yes. It covers basics from where to get a cat to establishing routines and early training that help a kitten grow into a well-adjusted adult.

Will it help with litterbox problems?
Yes. The book offers specific strategies to prevent and correct litterbox issues by addressing environment, box choice, and underlying causes.

Does this replace a veterinarian?
No. It provides practical health care guidance but recommends seeking veterinary care for medical concerns and diagnostics.