If you want to understand your cat, you need to read this book

Item: DTV Katzen und ihre geheime Sprache
Rating: 5
Author: Anna Sandner

Anna Sandner

23.9.2025

Translation: machine translated

Cats talk to us all the time - but we hardly understand them. This book shows how much more there is to their purring, meowing and head-butting than you realise.

I have shared almost my entire life with these wonderful, velvety creatures. I have learnt to read them in many situations. And yet I am always at a loss in front of my cats and simply don't understand what they are trying to tell me. A problem that many cat people are probably familiar with. Because even if they try their hardest, our felines just can't quite make us understand some things. Because we don't understand their language.

«I stare at you until you understand me.», is sometimes my cat's communication strategy of choice.

That should change. And so I set out in search of a book that could teach even experienced cat fans something. To my great delight, I found what I was looking for: «Cats and Their Secret Language» by Sarah Brown is indeed one of these special books.

Katzen und ihre geheime Sprache (German, Elisabeth Liebl, Sarah Brown, 2024)

Non-fiction

EUR24,–

Katzen und ihre geheime Sprache

German, Elisabeth Liebl, Sarah Brown, 2024

30 years of research - real cat knowledge instead of myths

What makes this book stand out Sarah Brown doesn't just write about cats, she lives for them - as a researcher, cat owner and counsellor. Thirty years of research have gone into it, and I quickly realise that. Instead of clichés or half-truths, Brown explains how cats really communicate. She reports on numerous scientific studies that have gradually made it clearer over decades how cats talk to each other and to us.

Dr Sarah Brown is a behavioural biologist and is considered one of the most experienced cat researchers in Europe. She has been working intensively on the social behaviour of domestic cats for over thirty years, has completed her doctorate on the subject and has co-authored numerous scientific books on cat behaviour. In addition to her research, Brown works as a consultant for the pet industry, develops concepts for cat toys and supports animal welfare organisations. She lives in London with her family - and enjoys sharing her knowledge in both scientific and entertaining formats, always close to the reality of life for cats and their humans.

Purring: a multi-layered message instead of just a feel-good sound

Many people think that cats only purr when they are happy. Brown shows that this is only part of the truth. Purring can mean comfort, communication and even self-healing. The author takes you through the history of research into this sound, describing experiments and observations and getting you right into the thick of the action.
By the way, my favourite cat sound is the joyful cooing when my velvet paws greet me or when they snuggle up to me. Combined with giving my head and having my tummy stroked, this is the ultimate accolade when it comes to cat affection.

«Play with me!» I understand even without words.

Direct, down-to-earth and always comprehensible

Although there is a lot of research involved, Brown manages to make the sometimes tedious and quite dry scientific work entertaining - without unnecessary technical terms. After reading the book, you will understand how ear position, tail wagging, meowing and even the famous head giving have their very own meaning in the cat world. Brown's language remains friendly and clear, her examples come directly from real situations - often from her own cats or experiences from the research lab.

In a nutshell

If you want to understand cats, you have to read this book

If you really want to understand what your cat is trying to tell you - far beyond the usual guidebooks - then this book is the best choice. Comprehensible, approachable and written with a real spirit of enquiry.

Pro

New perspectives even for experienced cat people
comprehensible and clearly written
Scientifically sound instead of full of myths

Contra

No quick tips or brief explanations, instead detailed in the programme description

Non-fiction

EUR24,–

Katzen und ihre geheime Sprache

German, Elisabeth Liebl, Sarah Brown, 2024

Header image: Anna Sandner

23 people like this article

Anna Sandner

Senior Editor

Anna.Sandner@galaxus.de

Science editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always outside - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.

Review

Which films, shows, books, games or board games are genuinely great? Recommendations from our personal experience.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

Guide
One of your housecats dies: here’s why you should get them a new companion
by Darina Schweizer
Background information
Are we commercialising pets too much? This is what the animal ethicist says
by Darina Schweizer
Guide
Boom in personality literature: current highlights from the bestseller lists
by Anna Sandner