77 things to know before getting a cat The essential guide to preparing your family and home for a feline companion

*Starred Review* Any budding or well-established ailurophile will race through Ewing's first how-to book, chuckling at cat jokes ("Where does a cat go to find his tail? A retailer"); nodding at sage advice (male cats are the more affectionate); and inhaling new factoids (the oldest known cat lived 38 years and 3 days). More than 70 subjects are addressed in brief chapters, which are organized by topic. For obvious reasons, health and nutrition command the most space, followed by the ABCs of finding a four-legged friend. Behaviors, too, get ample space, whether it's a hilarious discussion of what she calls midnight zoomies or how to dissuade a feline from countertop crawling (spray the offender with water when caught is one example). The color photographs are mostly generic, yet welcome, especially for readers considering adopting a purebred cat. Even if owning a pet might not fit existing lifestyles, Ewing provides a well-written narrative that educates as well as entertains and just might encourage adoption. Sources and contact information provided.--Barbara Jacobs Copyright 2018 Booklist