where the writers are
Cat & Dog ComPETability
Dog & Cat ComPETability: Building A Peaceable Kingdom
Not available.

Amy gives an overview of the book:

More than 30 million U.S. households double their pleasure by welcoming both cats and dogs into their homes. Yet mixing the two can mean trouble in paradise, especially if you treat your cat like your dog, or vice versa. Cats and dogs are two very different animals with distinctive needs and they cannot—and must not—be treated in the same way. Fun, practical, and eminently informative, Competability is the first book that looks at the biological, evolutionary, and behavioral differences between cats and dogs and uses that information to devise strategies for owners that enable the two species to live in harmony within the same household. Written by one of America's premier pet experts, the book explains everything an owner of a cat and dog should know, including the most common behaviors of cats and dogs alone and together; recommendations for pet health...
Read full overview »

More than 30 million U.S. households double their pleasure by welcoming both cats and dogs into their homes. Yet mixing the two can mean trouble in paradise, especially if you treat your cat like your dog, or vice versa. Cats and dogs are two very different animals with distinctive needs and they cannot—and must not—be treated in the same way.

Fun, practical, and eminently informative, Competability is the first book that looks at the biological, evolutionary, and behavioral differences between cats and dogs and uses that information to devise strategies for owners that enable the two species to live in harmony within the same household. Written by one of America's premier pet experts, the book explains everything an owner of a cat and dog should know, including the most common behaviors of cats and dogs alone and together; recommendations for pet health care, grooming, and feeding; ways to recognize ailments; and the problems that arise most frequently between the two species. Most important, Competability provides crucial tips on how to evaluate and match your pets' personalities, improve their relationships, and make your home a sanctuary for pet fun and peace.

“Amy Shojai is one of America’s foremost writers of pet care information. She is truly compassionate and caring about her subject and that shines through loud and clear in all she does. Her information is well researched, topical, and practical. I trust Amy and love her work.” –Dr. Jim Humphries, veterinarian, National Veterinary Spokesperson, and President of Veterinary News Network.

“A new light and enlightened beam is shining from Texas lately and her name is Amy Shojai. She has added a touch of elegance as well as touching depth to the genre of dog and cat writing. I am a fan.” –Mordecai Siegal, the “father” of pet-writing and author of more than three-dozen pet titles.

 

Read an excerpt »

PART ONE: THE COMMON DENOMINATOR CHAPTER ONE:  In The Beginning . . . .

          In prehistoric times, people honored and revered all living things, for they understood that humans were but one part of a whole. An unspoken, unwritten covenant was made between people and the other furred, feathered and finned children of the earth—to remember and respect their common beginnings, and keep the memory sacred.  

         Dogs and cats are our reminder of that ancient covenant. They reflect some of the best features of the human soul, offering us childlike honesty, unreserved devotion, and a love that has no parallel in human experience.

           More than any other creature, cats and dogs have been accepted even welcomed into the human family. It's remarkable that such very different creatures should hold the same intimate relationship with people. These special companion animals continue to honor their beginnings, and it is our responsibility to honor them by becoming sensitive to their needs.

          To understand the similarities and the differences between modern dogs and cats, we must look to their earliest beginnings. In fact, cats and dogs arose from a common ancestor. The story begins about 220 million years ago when mammals first arrived on the prehistoric scene. . .

Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................            

PART I  The Common Denominator

   Chapter 1  In The Beginning.......................................

                           The evolution of America's pets of choice

   Chapter 2  A Match Made In Heaven............................

                           How domestication has impacted pets

   Chapter 3  Reigning Cats . . . And Dogs........................

                           The people/pet partnership, & living with both

PART II  Cats Are From Venus, Dogs Are From Mars

   Chapter 4  Seeing Eye To Eye.....................................

                           Cat versus dog sense, how they're alike and different

   Chapter 5  To Chase Or Ambush.................................

                           Pet philosophy in terms of function

   Chapter 6  Canine Courtship & Feline Ardor..................

                           How sex impacts pets & living together

PART III   Bright Eyed & Bushy Tailed

   Chapter 7  Gulp Versus Nibble....................................

                           Comparing pets' food requirements & eating habits

   Chapter 8  Hairballs & Hot Spots.................................

                           Grooming contrasts

   Chapter 9  Dogs Mope, Cats Hide...............................

                           How pets say they feel bad

   Chapter 10 Kennel Cough & Cat Colds..........................

                           Common illnesses exclusive to each

   Chapter 11 Double Trouble.........................................

                           Illnesses common to each

 

PART IV  Canine Culture & Feline Language

 

   Chapter 12 The Pack Mentality Versus The Despot...........

                           Comparisons of social structures

   Chapter 13 Say, What?!.............................................

                           The language barrier

   Chapter 14 Cats Lead, Dogs Follow .............................

                           Training fundamentals, cats versus dogs

   Chapter 15 When Worlds Collide.................................

                           Common problems and suggested solutions

amy-d-shojai's picture

Note from the author coming soon...

About Amy

Amy Shojai, CABC, a nationally known authority on pet care and behavior, is a certified animal behavior consultant, a spokesperson for the pet products industry, and the author of 23 nonfiction pet books and hundreds of articles and columns.

She is the...

Read full bio »