Books for Dog & Cat Lovers

As a pet person, you know there’s nothing as relaxing as curling up with a book with your best friend by your side. Since we’re a bit (okay, more than a bit) dog- and cat-obsessed ourselves, we decided to seek out books that feature our furry friends as the heroes.

Wondering if you can trust this list? We'll just say it upfront — these books were chosen by the team at Pet Parenting (the official Trupanion blog) and are not the result of any partnerships or campaigns. Whether you choose to buy them or just check them out at your local library, we receive no compensation for you doing so. Enjoy!

9 books for pet people

From bestsellers to coffee table staples, we’ve got the scoop on books for pet lovers of all ages. 

1. Find MOMO by Andrew Knapp

This “Where’s Waldo” style coffee table book features MOMO, a border collie, traveling with their favorite person. If you enjoy the book, the fun doesn’t have to stop here: Find MOMO is part of a whole series of books for pet lovers that includes Find MOMO Coast to Coast, Let’s Find MOMO: a picture book, and Find MOMO across Europe.

2. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Told from the point of view of Enzo the dog, this bestselling novel had us reaching for more tissues. Follow Enzo and his human, a race car driver named Danny, as Enzo recalls his favorite memories and holds steadfast to the belief that if he tries hard enough, he can be reincarnated as a human. The cherry on top: This bestselling novel was adapted to a movie you’ll want to stream ASAP.

3. Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat that Inspired the World by Vicki Myron

For lovers of both cats and non-fiction, the book Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat that Inspired the World offers the perfect feel-good reading. This true story starts in the farm town of Spencer, Iowa, where a local librarian discovers an abandoned kitten somebody left in the book-return slot. It doesn’t take long for Dewey to capture the hearts of this Midwestern town—and the whole country, too.

4. The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

In The Traveling Cat Chronicles, we follow Nana the cat, a former stray, and his owner Satoru as they embark on a road trip across Japan. It’s easy to see why this book flew off bookstore shelves in Arikawa’s native country. This profound and captivating tale reminds us that life is about our connections with others—animal and human—making it one of the most heartfelt books for pet lovers.

5. Tomorrow by Damian Dibben

Nothing can come between the bond of a dog and their person. In Tomorrow, which spans from the Middle Ages to the court of Versailles, the immortal canine hero of the same name travels through time just to find their best friend. For a story of never-ending love and loyalty, look no further.

6. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall

Warning: Once you pick up the first book in this 5-part series, you won’t be able to put it down. This National Book Award-winning YA tale introduces you to the endearing Penderwick family, whose bond has been compared to the March sisters in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. During their summer vacation, they discover treasure, adventure, and fun with their family dog, Hound.

7. A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

It's long been said that cats have multiple lives, but a dog? This heartwarming book follows a dog through four different lives via reincarnation and his journey for finding purpose and meaning in each. The film adaptation of it came out in 2017.

8. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

If you attended middle school in the early 2000s, there's a good chance this one popped into your reading list. But whether or not you've read it as a youth, this is a book worth revisiting for any dog lover. The story follows a young girl who recently moved to a Florida trailer park with her father, a local preacher. Lonely and unsure of her place in the world, Opal finds a befriends a dog at the supermarket that quickly captivates her community.

9. The Cat Who Came for Christmas by Cleveland Amory

Looking for a great holiday gift for the cat aficionado in your life? Look no further than The Cat Who Came for Christmas, a memoir about a curmudgeonly rescuer whose life is changed by a stray cat. Yes, it's the kind of story we've all heard before, but it works, and it is downright delightful.

Turn reading time into quality time with your pet

Whether you want adventure or a reflection on what matters most, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for in these books for pet lovers. Pick a book, get your favorite beverage ready, and cuddle up with your best friend—a whole world awaits.

And if you haven't done so already, consider protecting your dog or cat with pet insurance.