Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: February 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys
The title of The Original Cat Fancy Cat Bible: The Definitive Source for all Things Cat pretty much tells you everything you need to know about this comprehensive guide to cats, authored by award-winning pet lifestyle expert Sandy Robins, with help from feline veterinarian Arnold Plotnick, DVM, ACVIM, both frequent contributors to Cat Fancy magazine, and Sarah Hartwell and Lorraine M. Shelton.
This hefty 500-page volume covers everything you always wanted to know about cats, ranging from a world history of cats, cats’ influence in arts and literature and feline folklore to selecting a new cat or kitten, feline health basics, and training and behavior. In addition to covering a staggering amount of information, this book is beautifully designed and illustrated with four color photos.
Even seasoned cat guardians will learn something new from this book. This is probably not a book you’re going to read cover to cover, but it’s a wonderful reference guide, especially for information on cat breeds and on specific health conditions.
As is the case with most conventional cat care guides, I don’t agree with some of what is covered in the section on nutrition, although I applaud the authors for at least mentioning raw and home-cooked diets. I also would have liked to have seen more space devoted to alternative therapies for cats (the section is barely four pages long). The definition provided for Reiki is a bit sketchy (as a Reiki Master, I’m probably extra picky about that), and the book doesn’t even mention homeopathy, which I found disappointing.
Even so, The Original Cat Fancy Cat Bible is an excellent reference book for both new and experienced cat guardians.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
