Best Books for Cat Lovers: Pawverbs, Comfort Stories, and Science Guides
From heartwarming devotionals to cutting-edge behavior science, here are the books every cat lover should read
If you are a cat lover, you probably already have a shelf full of cat photos on your phone. But there is something special about a good book about cats - one that makes you understand your own cat a little better, or makes you laugh, or makes you cry in the good way. The problem is that there are hundreds of books about cats, and most of the lists you find online are just affiliate link farms with one-sentence descriptions copied from the back cover.
This guide is different. I have actually read these books, or at least spent enough time with them to tell you what they are really about, who they are for, and whether they are worth your time. Some are devotional and heartwarming. Some are deep science. Some are practical guides. They span from 2008 to 2024, and they cover everything from cat evolution to cat communication to how to make your cat happy.
Whether you are looking for a gift for a cat lover in your life, or you want to understand your own cat better, here are the best books for cat lovers - organized by what kind of reader you are. Each book includes links to buy on Amazon and read reviews on Goodreads.
Pawverbs for a Cat Lover's Heart
By Jennifer Marshall Bleakley | Published October 2022
256 pages | Tyndale Momentum
This is the book that comes up most often when people search for cat lover books, and for good reason. Pawverbs for a Cat Lover's Heart is a Christian devotional that pairs real-life cat stories with principles from the book of Proverbs. Each chapter features a different cat, a full-color photograph, and a biblical lesson drawn from the cat's behavior or story.
The premise is that cats - with their feistiness, their loyalty, their independence, and their sometimes baffling behavior - can teach us something about faith and life. Bleakley has a master's degree in mental health counseling and worked as a grief counselor, so the stories have a warmth and emotional depth that a lot of devotional books lack. She also wrote the companion books Pawverbs for a Dog Lover's Heart and the memoir Joey, about a rescue cat.
Who it is for: Cat lovers who want something spiritual and uplifting. It makes a great gift, especially around the holidays. If you are not religious, the cat stories still stand on their own, but the biblical framing is front and center throughout.
Buy on Amazon
See reviews on Goodreads
A Cup of Comfort Stories for Cat Lovers
By Colleen Sell | Published 2008
336 pages | Adams Media / Cup of Comfort
This is the other book that gets a lot of search traffic from cat lovers, and it is a completely different animal (pun intended). A Cup of Comfort Stories for Cat Lovers is a collection of fifty true stories about cats and the people who love them. There is a Calico that rescues his family from a deadly snake, a Siamese that helps heal her ailing owner, and dozens of other stories about the courage, healing, and affection that cats bring into our lives.
Colleen Sell edited the Cup of Comfort anthology series for ten years, compiling over thirty-eight anthologies that sold more than two million copies. She knows how to pick a story that makes you feel something, and this collection is no exception. It is the kind of book you read on the couch with your cat on your lap, one story at a time before bed.
Who it is for: Anyone who loves true cat stories. It is not religious, not scientific, just heartwarming. Perfect for a rainy weekend or as a gift for a friend who keeps adopting cats.
Buy on Amazon
See reviews on Goodreads
Cat Sense: How the New Feline Science
Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet
By John Bradshaw | Published 2013 | 336 pages | Basic Books
If the first two books are for the heart, this one is for the brain. John Bradshaw is an anthrozoologist - a scientist who studies human-animal interactions - and Cat Sense is the most thorough, science-based book on what goes on inside your cat's head. He traces the domestic cat's evolution from solitary predator to household companion, and explains why cats still retain so many of their wild instincts even after thousands of years of living with humans.
Bradshaw covers cat body language, hunting behavior, how cats relate to other cats, and why they behave the way they do around humans. He also tackles some persistent myths - like the idea that cats are aloof or untrainable - and replaces them with what the research actually shows. The New York Times called it "for any who may wonder what their feline companions are really thinking."
Who it is for: The cat lover who wants to understand the science behind cat behavior. If you have ever wondered why your cat does the things it does, this is the book. It is not a light read, but it is accessible and fascinating.
Buy on Amazon
See reviews on Goodreads
The Hidden Language of Cats
By Sarah Brown, PhD | Published 2023 | 288 pages | Viking
Dr. Sarah Brown spent over thirty years studying cat behavior, and her PhD research focused on the social behavior of neutered domestic cats. The Hidden Language of Cats is the culmination of that work, and it is the most up-to-date book on how cats communicate - with each other and with us.
Each chapter covers a different form of communication: vocalizations (meows, purrs, trills, hisses), tail signals, scent marking, rubbing, ear movements, and more. Brown explains, for example, that the iconic meow is rarely used between adult cats - it is a feline invention for talking to humans, cleverly pitched to mimic the cries of a human infant. She also shares observations from two cat colonies she studied in rural England, giving you a window into how cats interact when humans are not around.
Who it is for: Anyone who wants to have a two-way conversation with their cat. If you have read our guide on why cats meow and wanted to go deeper, this is the book.
Buy on Amazon
See reviews on Goodreads
The Cat's Meow: How Cats Evolved
from the Savanna to Your Sofa
By Jonathan B. Losos | Published 2023 | 352 pages | Viking
Jonathan Losos is an evolutionary biologist at Washington University in St. Louis, and he writes with the enthusiasm of someone who is both a serious scientist and a serious cat person. The Cat's Meow covers the entire history of the domestic cat - from its origins as an African wildcat to the dozens of recognized breeds that exist today.
He uses GPS tracking, genomics, and forensic archaeology to answer questions like: why does your cat leave dead mice on your pillow? What is your Siamese cat really made of, genetically? Is a pet ocelot a bad idea? (Yes, it is.) The book also explores how natural and artificial selection have shaped modern cat breeds, which connects directly to the question of how many cat breeds there really are.
Who it is for: The cat lover who is also a science nerd. If you liked Cat Sense but wanted something more recent and more focused on evolution and genetics, this is the upgrade.
Buy on Amazon
See reviews on Goodreads
Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy
By Zazie Todd, PhD | Published 2022 | 304 pages | Greystone Books
This is the practical one. Zazie Todd is an animal behavior expert with a PhD, and Purr is an evidence-based guide to making your cat's life better. She covers every stage of a cat's life, from kittenhood to senior years, and addresses the things most cat owners worry about: enrichment, play, anxiety, vet visits, introducing new cats, and more.
What makes Purr stand out is that it is cat-centered. Todd does not just tell you what to do - she explains why it matters from the cat's perspective, backed by research. She covers topics like how to play with your cat in ways that actually satisfy their hunting instincts, how to reduce fear around vet visits, and how to tell if your cat is actually happy.
Who it is for: Every cat owner, honestly. If you only buy one book from this list, make it this one. It is practical, readable, and will genuinely make your cat's life better.
Buy on Amazon
See reviews on Goodreads
Play With Your Cat!: The Essential Guide
to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline
By Mikel Maria Delgado, PhD | Published 2024
288 pages | TarcherPerigee
The newest book on this list, Play With Your Cat!: The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline is all about one thing: interactive play. Dr. Mikel Delgado is a certified cat behavior consultant and animal behavior scientist, and she argues that most cat owners are missing a crucial piece of their cat's well-being - play that mimics the hunting sequence.
It is not just about dangling a toy and hoping your cat chases it. Delgado explains the stalk-chase-pounce-kill-eat-groom-sleep cycle that cats are wired for, and how to replicate it with wand toys, food puzzles, and environmental enrichment. She also covers how play can fix common behavior problems - like 3 AM zoomies, aggression toward other cats, and furniture scratching.
Who it is for: Cat owners whose cats seem bored, restless, or destructive. If your cat has the zoomies at 3 AM, this book explains why and what to do about it.
Buy on Amazon
See reviews on Goodreads
How to choose the right cat book
If you are buying a gift, think about what kind of cat lover the recipient is. Pawverbs and A Cup of Comfort are emotional, story-driven books - great for someone who reads to feel something. Cat Sense, The Hidden Language of Cats, and The Cat's Meow are science books - great for someone who reads to understand. Purr and Play With Your Cat! are practical guides - great for someone who reads to take action.
If you are buying for yourself, start with what you are most curious about. Want to know what your cat is thinking? Start with The Hidden Language of Cats. Want to make your cat happier? Start with Purr. Want a good cry? A Cup of Comfort Stories for Cat Lovers has you covered.
And of course, once you have read the books, come join the conversation at The Cat Lovers. We have communities for cat memes, adoption stories, health questions, and more. You can even adopt a virtual cat pet and level it up by participating in the community.
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