Living with Cats: A History of a Close Relationship

Cats are mysterious creatures. But how have they managed to remain so enigmatic after living alongside humans for thousands of years?
One reason, argues Natalia Reznik, is that until the mid-twentieth century cats received remarkably little scientific attention. Their inner lives, cognitive abilities, and social relationships with humans remained largely unexplored. Only in recent decades have researchers begun to uncover the complexity of feline behavior—and in doing so, they have also learned something new about ourselves.
Drawing on genetics, animal psychology, and ethology, Living with Cats traces how cats came to share our homes, what is really happening inside their seemingly inscrutable minds, and how humans can build genuine partnerships with them.
From domestication and feline intelligence to the secrets of harmonious cohabitation, the book explains why life with cats becomes easier when their behavioral and emotional needs are understood—and how both cats and humans benefit from that understanding.

Natalia Reznik. Living with Cats: A History of a Close Relationship. — Moscow: Alpina Non-Fiction, 2026.
Publisher's page