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Now completely updated and revised, this is an expanded edition of the classic natural pet-care book by veterinarian Richard H. Pitcairn and his wife Susan Pitcairn-- both renowned specialists in chemical-free nutrition, treatment and natural healing for pets. Written with the warmth and compassion that have won the Pitcairns a nationwide following, this guide will help you select the most compatible dog or cat for your own lifestyle-- and show you how to provide the very best in companionship, healing, nutrition and lifelong care. Since its publication more than a decade ago, the Pitcairns' book has become the definitive guide to a natural lifestyle for dogs and cats.A comprehensive, thorough reference, this pet-lover's companion will tell you:* How to choose a healthy animal* Dozens of recipes for delicious, economical, healthful pet food-- with completely updated tables, charts and nutritional guidelines* How to give your pet a checkup* What's really in pet foods-- and which ones to avoid to ensure your pet's best health* Special diets for special pets* A guide to handling emergencies that includes techniques for external heart massage, artificial respiration and control of bleedingPLUS:An in-depth, alphabetical "Quick Reference" section that gives specific instructions for preventing, diagnosing and treating a wide variety of animal diseases and disorders-- from abscesses, allergies and behavior problems to vaccination risks, weight problems and worms. The Pitcairns' approach is drug-free and holistic-- with special attention to homeopathic and alternative remedies and treatments.
Customer Review: The best book to improve your pets health and keep them healthy!
I can't praise this book enough. It has literally saved me hundreds of dollars in pet care costs and more importantly saved at least one of my pets' life. I've owned my copy for at least eight years. I have a Weimaraner with allergies which this book has kept her allergy free without the prescriptions recommended by the vet. More recently I had a cat with a blocked urethra, common in male cats, which can also lead to a rapid and painful death if they are completely blocked. The emergency vet wanted $1500 to catheter and care for the cat for two days with antibiotics etc. I opted to have them do the catheter ($300) and took him home to care for him. I followed the books instructions. He did great right away by giving him the vitamins the book suggests and the prescription food the vet suggested. But after two weeks of being 100% well he started to have blood in his urine again, the first sign of the problem. Then I realized that I had slacked off on the vitamins the book suggests, (vitamin C, and some others). I had mistakenly assumed the "prescription" food would be good enough. I immediately gave him the books homeopathic remedy followed by the books recommended vitamins and their "Healthy Powder" (recipe in the book) and his problem cleared up the next day and he has had no signs of any problem since. He is in the best health he's ever known! And I'm being smarter about his needs. If you care about your pets, believe in their own abilities to heal, and natural and holistic approaches to pet health, this book is the best; it's the one I go to first to find the answers to my pet's problems.
Customer Review: Inaccurate advice and some expensive suggestions
I read this book hoping to find another way to try and treat my dogs skin problems and with the interest to start feeding him more rare food (less kibble). However this book tends toward more of an extreme view STRONGLY recommending only feeding your pet human organic food and bottled water (i love my dog but if I dont drink bottled water and eat organic food he doesnt need to). There were 3 "booster mix" recipes to add to a kibble diet that were okay. The recipes seem expensive, especially if you have large dogs, but the ingredients are broken down and ordered by cost per protein gram on a handy chart. The biggest flaws were the suggestions that we just inaccurate. For instance recommending dried fruits such raisins, when in fact raisins, like chocolate, grapes, and alcohol are toxic to dogs. PLEASE DONT FEED THOSE TO YOUR DOGS!!!! Inaccuracies like that make me question the validity of the rest of the book. I would recommend double checking any advice from this book before following it.


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