CatWise Book Signing at Meow Parlour- and a Review

I recently had the pleasure of attending bestselling author Pam Johnson-Bennett’s CatWise Cat Café Tour at Meow Parlour here in New York City. 

The tour, sponsored by Wellness, is promoting Pam’s new book, CatWise. I had heard Pam speak at my first BlogPaws conference in Nashville and was looking forward to seeing her again. 

I met my friend and fellow cat blogger Laura Zaccardi, of Squeedunk Cats there, and it’s always a pleasure to get together with her. We arrived early and had the opportunity to chat with Pam before she began her talk. Pam is very engaging and so pleasant to have a conversation with. She’s very supportive of other authors and bloggers and admires how bloggers keep up with a busy posting schedule, continuously generating new content.

The CatWise Cat Café Tour had one very important mission to fulfill: to give back to animals in need. Wellness donated 1000 meals to Kitty Kind, the rescue that works with Meow Parlour, to help provide cats with natural nutrition while they wait to be adopted. Wellness also generously provided these cute goody bags to the attendees. In my experience working with this company, I have come to learn that they are a big-hearted company and are very giving to the community and to the bloggers they work with. 

One of the resident cats gave the bags her seal of approval. 

This was my first visit to Meow Parlour (I know, I know… how could I live in NYC and have not been here before?) and I loved it! .

There is fantastic merchandise for sale, and the walls are adorned with photos of the resident cats looking for their forever homes.

And of course, there are cute cats to play with!

Pam described Catwise as a Q and A book with very specific and thorough answers. She decided to write this book because people tend to Google “cat behavior info” and take the advice they find on line which can be very counterproductive. When Pam started in her field “in the Flintstone years”, cat behaviorism was not popular and her family suggested she get a new career. She is glad she stuck with it, and so are all the readers and cat parents she has helped. 

Some of Pam’s speaking points:

Cats need choices 

Many cat owners have their cats eat together from the same bowl or have them eat side by side. Cats’ preferences should be taken into consideration during meal times. I have two separate feeding stations for Lola and Lexy; one in the kitchen and one off the living room. They will eat dinner at the same time in the kitchen, but I don’t put their dishes side by side so they have their own space. Once in a blue moon I will catch them eating dry food from the same bowl, but that’s their choice. 

When walking your cat on a leash, carry a towel with you.  

In the event he or she becomes frightened or you need to separate them from another animal, you can use the towel to wrap them up. I thought that was a great idea! 

 We need to create a “state of home” for our cats. 

Cats need a place where they feel “I don’t have to worry about my food or my litter box.”

Cats need stimulation and play time. 

Cats ambush predators, so we should stick with what is natural for them. Your cat is the best teacher about how they want to play, so pay attention!

I love Pam’s book because it is easy to read and follow, and offers easy advice the everyday cat owner can understand and follow. Some of the questions answered in the book are: 
Do Cats communicate with their whiskers? Will I have to train my kitten to use the litter box or will he instinctively know what to do? How can I help my cat be more comfortable when I have guests over? In each section, Pam provides a text box with tips related to the question, such as: 

Don’t Crowd Me – Most cats don’t like having their whiskers squished when trying to eat or drink, so if a dish isn’t the right size, they’ll dip a paw in the food or water and then lick it or paw the food out. 

Box Basics – Never use a covered box or an electronic box with a kitten. The box setup should be convenient, safe, simple, quiet, and hard to miss. 

The Invisible Cat – Something as simple as a box can provide security for a cat. It’s a way to peek out and observed the environment while feeling hidden. The ability to remain invisible can help reduce anxiety. 

You can learn more about Pam’s techniques and recommendations on her website. 

CatWise is a great resource for anyone who is thinking of adding a cat to their family or for the person who has been owned by a cat for years. There is always a question that pops up, and Pam's book is a great resource. 

What questions have you ever had about your cat? 
Dawn

From the publisher: Even if you’ve lived with and loved cats for decades, chances are that when you're not scratching their backs you’re scratching your head over their seemingly inexplicable habits or sudden shifts of mood.  No one knows cats like Pam Jonson-Bennett, whose pioneering books have changed how owners and experts alike relate to and understand cats.  In CatWise, she provides clear, concise, easy-to-find answers to the questions that most often perplex you about your cat. 

About the Author: Pam Johnson-Bennett is one of the most popular and sought-after cat behavior experts in the world. She is the author os seven award-winning books on cat behaviors, including Think Like a Cat and Cat vs. Cat. Pam has a private cat-consulting practice in Nashville, is a popular guest on national TV and radio, has starred on Animal Planet UK’s series Psycho Kitty, and has spoken on cat behavior at veterinary and animal-welfare conferences around the world. Pam lives in Nashville, TN, with her husband, two children, a rescued Bengal cat, a rescued Sheltie, one well-trained goldfish, and two not-so-well-trained goldfish.