Speaking Volumes | September is Happy Cat Month. Learn more about them at the library

Did you know that September is Happy Cat Month? If you are looking for tips and suggestions to make your cat happier, as well as learning more about the overall health and wellbeing of your cat, Manatee County Public Libraries have numerous resources. If you are considering adopting a cat, contemplate checking out the book “Complete Cat Care” by DK Publishing. In addition to selecting a cat, it discusses topics including behavior, nutrition and disease. Another recommended book is “Your Cat: The Owner’s Manual” by Marty Becker. It features topics including health, behavior, training and selection of cats.

For a better understanding of cat behavior specifically, consider the book by Pam Johnson-Bennett “Catwise: America’s Favorite Cat Expert Answers Your Cat Behavior Questions”. The author answers 150 of the most commonly asked questions, including feline aggression, how to travel with or without your cat, how to prevent them from destroying your furniture and what to do if your cat refuses to use the litter box. Also consider the eBook “97 Ways to Make a Cat Like You” by Carol Kaufmann, available on Hoopla. With colorful photos, this book provides many behavioral tips including how to take a scared cat to the vet. For another recommended book on cat behavior, look at “Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat”. This is written by Jackson Galaxy, who stars on the Animal Planet show “My Cat from Hell.” The underlying theme is restoring the confidence of the cat, their mojo.

For feeding and nutrition, consult the eBook “Dinner Pawsible: A Cookbook of Nutritious, Homemade Meals for Cats and Dogs” by Cathy Alinovi. This resource is available in Hoopla and provides simple and cheap recipes for meals that can be prepared at home, instead of purchasing highly processed manufactured pet food with unrecognizable ingredients.

For games and play, take a look at “Boredom Busters for Cats: 40 Whisker-Twitching Games and Adventures” written by Nikki Moustaki. This eBook is available in our Hoopla app and gives helpful suggestions for cat socialization through mental and physical activities, including ways to develop good habits. Are you the crafty and creative type? Get inspired and check out “Cat Toys: How to Make Your Home a Feline Paradise”, an eBook on Hoopla written by Lura Rogers Seavey. Included are climbing structures, scratching posts, catnip toys, napping spaces and more. Provide vital therapy and mental exercises for your cat, as outlined in the digital film “Happy Cat: The Movie-The Ultimate Cat Sitter”, available on Hoopla. Are you considering traveling with your cat? The book “Adventure Cats: Living Nine Lives to the Fullest” by Laura J. Moss is the ultimate guide for taking your cat into the wild and going on adventures.

These are just a few of the many sources that Manatee Libraries offer for raising a happy and healthy cat. They provide a great foundation and librarians here are eager to help you locate information on related topics. Just ask!

Your library is online: www.mymanatee.org/library Free masks available at all library locations.

Speaking Volumes is written by staff members with the Manatee County Public Library System. Rachel Suntop is a librarian at the Central Library.