The Secret Language of Cats: How To Understand Your Cat for a Better, Happier Relationship

This unusual entry in the pet titles arena comes from Swedish phonetics researcher Schötz, whose major professional interest and personal hobby are cat sounds. With a firm belief that humans, especially those who own (or are owned by) cats, can learn and interpret the vocalizations of their feline companions, the author provides a surprisingly thorough combination of facts and anecdotes to support her claims. The main narrative is followed by an appendix that references Schötz's website, where readers can access examples that clarify the most common cat sounds: low-pitched trill; the growl; the meow vs. the mew; and others. The appendix also includes tables of vowels, consonants, and other phonetic symbols that extend the author's research. The brief glossary of technical terms is an absolute necessity for understanding the text.