I have a passion for the value of this book. This is one book that, in my opinion, every dog and cat guardian should own and read cover-to-cover. Strong statement, isn’t it? If everyone read the important information between these pages, and implemented some of that advice, multitudes of family pets would live healthier and longer lives.
The authors, Richard P. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD and Susan Hubble Pitcairn, help pet guardians understand natural health therapies, how to treat problems without drugs, and how to feed your pet in a healthier manner. The book is a great resource for either the novice pet guardian or a seasoned guardian wanting to learn more.
The book begins with Pitcairn’s personal examples (from his veterinary practice) of the importance of feeding pets in a more healthy way, going away from feeding dry commercial pet products. He provides detailed and varied recipes for dogs and cats, including special needs diets. This first section also covers exercise & grooming, selecting a healthy pet, lifestyles, coping with the loss of a pet, and how to care for a sick pet.
An extensive portion of this book, in Part 2, deals with a practical reference section covering many pet ailments and diseases: including prevention, how to identify them, and treat them without drugs. It also includes a valuable first aid section. Another strength of this book is all the important facts and advice regarding vaccinations and their harmful effects. (Pitcairn’s doctorate is in Immunology).
As the title suggests, Pitcairn deals with a pet’s health in a natural and more holistic manner. He offers sensible, drug-free alternatives, often using some of his client cases as examples. Many pet guardians these days deal with a multitude of skin & ear problems or allergies with their dog or cat. Pitcairn covers these extensively in his book. Filled with common sense information that all pet owners should know regarding health issues whether it’s what the causes are or how some simple, natural methods significantly ease or eliminate these chronic problems.
If this is all sounding too good to be true, let me add a counterpoint — the big “BUT”. Although Pitcairn’s recommendation to switch from commercial pet foods (especially the dry cereal most people refer to as kibble) is an intelligent chunk of advice, I don’t fully agree with all of his alternatives. He provides a range of recipes to ensure a pet receives the all-important variety they need, but his cooked alternatives that rely heavily on grains don’t fall into favour with those of us who prefer to feed as Mother Nature intended (grain free). Despite this, his chapters on diet and recipes are an ideal starting point for any pet guardian who is making the wise choice to switch to a healthier form of nutrition.
Whether you’re looking for a better way to feed your pet, how to deal with fleas without toxic chemicals, wondering which vaccinations really are needed (or not), how to perform pet CPR, or approach any other issue dealing with health in a sensible holistic manner, this is the book you really should have at hand.
Pitcairn’s book should be required reading for every pet owner. I wish every dog breeder would read it and give a copy to every person purchasing a puppy, that every dog shelter had a copy, that every veterinary office had one in its waiting room, and when people don’t know what gift to buy for someone with a pet that they’d wrap this book up for special gift giving. This book has great value but it doesn’t cost money – it’s an investment in your pet’s health.
Once you read it, you too will no doubt be singing its praises to every pet owner you know.
Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
== Copyright © 2006 – 2009 Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved. It is illegal to copy any part of this document. ==
This column first appeared in the February 2006 issue of Dog Life: A Wider View
I’m glad for your last couple of entries. We try to eat holistically and if we get a dog … we want the dog to eat right too. My husband can’t understand bought dog food at all. I first became aware of feeding raw food from a local breeder as I was checking out her site as she had some puppies for sale … a breed that we might consider. She advocates the raw food diet too. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for this book.
Hi Diane – this, too, is one of my ‘dog-eared’ favourites in my pet library as my beautiful golden has been on a natural diet for most of her life. I also like “Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog”, which was the first book I bought when eliminating that horrible kibble-krap from her diet.
Both books include grain in their diets, so I’m interested in your reasons for excluding it.
I heard that this book is a must for dog & cat owners. Will definitely have get my one asap.
After your recommendation here on your blog, I found a copy at my library. I haven’t started to read it yet. I am just finishing another book on Raw feeding. So much to learn!
I now have it in my shopping cart at Amazon! Just trying to decide what else I need to buy along with it! LOL