5 comments about Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats.

1. This book is extremely helpful with lots of good information in caring for your pet. It informs you on how to keep your pet as healthy as possible and avoid the vets office. Wonderful advise.



2. I have had the original Pitcairn guide for many years now, and consider it a classic in the field of natural healthcare for pets. As a canine behavior specialist, I am well aware of the link between nutrition and behavior issues, so I find this information especially valuable and have recommended it to many of my clients.
   
   I like that this new edition contains information on environmental pollutants and toxins, which is a topic that is thankfully coming more to the forefront in the public's minds. This book will help owners to understand just how much of an impact those factors can have on our beloved pets.
   
   To comment on a review by another reviewer, I am guessing that the information regarding raisins and grapes and the link to renal failure came to light after this guide was published, and I certainly hope that any recommendations to include raisins in the diet will be removed in future printings.



3. This book contains very valuable information. My Persian cat has food allergies since three years and she has been treated with prednisone and other medication since that time. Thanks to the simple suggestions of Dr Pitcairn, I have been able to reduce prednisone and go without it for long periods, clean her eyes using almond oil which seems to be gentler that the commercial eye cleaners, supplement her diet with cod liver oil, etc. The allergies are diminishing. I have yet to make her accept home prepared food but plan on doing it.
   This book contains treasures for cat owners who have tried it all without success. Explanations are simple, ingredients easy to find in natural food stores.
   I highly recommend it.



4. I know that this book is very popular, and that is troubling considering that the author suggests feeding raisins to your dog. Raisins are, along with chocolate, grapes, avocadoes, gum with xylitol, cooked chicken bones, etc., BAD to feed to your canine. Just because your dog might not die right away from raisins, does not mean that his kidneys are not being ruined.
   
   This book is so popular, and now many people think that it is beneficial to feed their dogs raisins because this book says so. Cross referencing is always indispensible to any research. The raisin suggestion makes me question the validity of everything else in the book. I consider this a "soft" health and medical book...like a mainstream health magazine in comparison to a conservative medical journal.
   
   People need a more no nonsense approach to natural dog health, along with exact information, especially considering the onslaught of vaccinations that are slowly killing our canine companions through the cancer and allergies that natural authors are trying to address with these natural practices. They should go straight to the reasons why most dogs are suffering and start suggestions from there, as in don't start off by destoying your canine's health potential in the first place, don't vaccinate your dogs...
   
   Only rabies is required by law. And your dog should be at least one year old and in good health without any stress when he receives it..and boosters are not scientifically supported. Don't believe me though, go research with some REAL books and articles.:)



5. Given the number of positive reviews on this book, I was expecting alot. unfortunately, this book didn't fulfill my most basic expectations.
   
   Compared to what most people know and the way most people raise their dogs, the method explained in this book is orders of magnitude better in terms of healthfulness. The author is clearly trying to create an optimal nutrition profile for animals, and he hits on alot of very important points, but unfortunately falls short in the most important dimension of all: credibility.
   
   Even though I was ready to trust the author (vetenarian, PhD), I was expecting at least a nominal level of backup for his arguments, but it really seems almost everything in his book is based on his subjective feeling about it. Not only is here clearly hypothesizing theories out of thin air at times, he comes up with the most detailed nutrition, supplement, and feeding "recipes" based on the most vague and unsupported justifications. This is important to me, as a person pursuing a graduate degree in biology I came ready to critically analyze every word of this book, but there really is not much substance behind the verbal "fluff."
   
   Some of Dr. Pitcairn's suggestions are not in line with nutritional advice i've heard from in my mind more respected sources (famous breeders of show quality dogs): to feed a diet of raw meaty bones (RMBs) while minimizing or eliminating grain. Pitcairn asserts that in his opinion, dogs need grain, but doesnt really back it up. Other sources also say dogs dont need that much in the way of supplementation, but Pitcairn would have me spend more on my dogs vitamins than my own. No real evidence, no biological mechanism proposed, rather simplistic.
   
   For most, an excellent introduction to many aspects of dog training. For those looking for a quality, authoritative work on canine nutrition, look elsewhere.

5 comments about The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat.

1. A real eyeopener. The chapter on vaccines was good & as stated had my dogs tested & they did not need vaccines . Its a shame the vets don't tell you a titters test is avaiable instead of over vaccinating. Start reading pet food labels in more detail even if it says its organic find out from the manufacturer if they get food from another source and if thats the case they don't have to list the chemicals in that part. A must read if you want a healthy animal.



2. My book had no signs of abuse and was in great shape except some of the pages had yellowing from age. It arrived in a very timely manner. I would order again from this company. I was very pleased with their customer service.



3. If you are looking for more information, as I have been, this is a good book. It was very helpful. I am reading practically everything I can find regarding dog health as my 4 -year old Siberian cross just developed epilepsy. I have discovered that each book I get has an extra bit of information that I did not glean before from other books. (Good for the booksellers, right?) But seriously, it has good information! I recommend it.



4. Within four days of following many of the suggestions in this book, my two huge ailing dogs started smiling abundantly, staying awake more, and enjoying life again! I love knowing I am making a difference in their lives by giving them a healthier and more delicious diet. This book stays on my bedside table for frequent reference, and my friends are buying copies as well. It inspires me to be a better mama for my loving furchildren! Nan Shaw



5. For everyone who lives with dogs and/or cats, this is a must have book. It is comprehensive and full of invaluable information. He discusses everything from diet to cancer to vaccines. He provides rather detailed information, not just skimming the surface of the topics. He includes lots of useful sources as well. I was so excited when I got this book that I immediately ran to the store to implement some of the changes.

5 comments about Cat Vs. Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One Cat.

1. I have learned so much about cats after reading this book that my three cats are much happier now. By the way, I am also very happy, since they are not scratching our furniture any more. This book is also very well written, making the reading experience pleasant and easy. Thank you so much, Pam. You are awesome!



2. Before I purchased this book, I was at my wits end. I have 8 cats and my husband and I were seriously considering getting rid of at least half of them. It was the last thing we wanted to do and we really struggled with it. We had a HUGE litterbox problem (among other things) and I'd become embarrassed to have anyone over because the urine smell in the house was just awful. Some cats had stopped using the box altogether even though I was cleaning them regularly. Everything I'd read about online and discussed with other cat owners and even veterinarians wasn't working. I tried different litters, moving the boxes, buying more boxes and anything else I came across but nothing was working. We also had an issue where 2 of the cats weren't getting along at all. They couldn't even be in the same room together or there'd be a violent confrontation. Also, my carpet, wallpaper, furniture and even door frames were being shredded on a daily basis. About a month ago, I came across this book online and decided to purchase it as a last ditch effort. We decided this would be our last attempt at correcting the problems and the next step was getting rid of them. The day I received the book, I immediately began reading it. There was one suggestion the author gave about litter box problems that I'd never heard before. In fact, I'd always heard the opposite! Anyway, I put this suggestion into play the very next day and I've never looked back! All of my cats are using the boxes and my house smells fresh and clean again. In fact, the problem was fixed immediately. I used to clean up urine and feces several times a day and I swear, I haven't had to clean up either since I got this book! Also, the issue with the 2 feuding cats has improved greatly and all the cats are now scratching where they're supposed too. The 2 cats still don't get along but we've found away around it (as suggested in the book) and everybody is much happier. I don't think I could even put a price on this book for what it's done for our family. With what I was paying for carpet cleaners, steam cleaning, paper towels, litter, more boxes...etc., this book has paid for itself a hundred times over!



3. I've always had cats and thought I knew them well. Not so much, lol. I got this book when I introduced two new cats. It's really helped my cats (and my sanity). It sounds funny, but it helps you to think like a cat which makes understanding and dealing with them a lot easier.



4. This is a great little book full of information on cats. It has especially good information for introducing a new cat into the household. It's a must have in order to avoid commom mistakes most of us make when bringing a new kitty home.



5. I've been rescuing cats for years and saw it all. I can say both of Pam's books are right on target. If you REALLY love cats, read her books. Pam's suggestions take extra time and effort. But, Pets require a lifetime commitment so the extra effort pays off. So many people just throw new cats together and then wonder why they don't get along. Her book also will help if you have dogs and cats.

5 comments about All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome.

1. This is an excellent simple to read book. Very good for young and older people. My sons and I have read many times over. I would recommend to anyone!



2. 
   
   At first, I just wondered why cats appear in this book because I wasn't quite sure what cats had to do with Asperger Syndrome. But, on second thought, Kathy Hoopmann might help parents with AS kids increase their understanding. Even adults with AS are sure to see what AS is like because she illustrated AS not only by words but pictures! We can't put down this book just because it's for kids only!
   If possible, I'd have liked her to explain in advance why she associated cats with AS.



3. I'm an SLP with a son who is autistic. I purchased this for my kids' cousins to help educate them. This book is compassionate, truthful, and witty. Great for all ages. Highly recommend it!!



4. Great book for everyone who knows someone in the Autism spectrum. Great Kitty pictures. Great Message. Love it



5. We recently learned that our son has Asperger's Syndrome. So I bought this book for all three of his Grandmothers for Mother's Day, and hope that they all have learned from it. As soon as I saw this in a local bookstore and leafed through it, I fell in love with the book! Yes, there are lots of charming cat pictures, but it is far more than just cute. I love the humorous way that it explains Asperger's. Very entertaining and informative!

5 comments about The Cat Bible: Everything Your Cat Expects You to Know.

1. I found this book to be the most comprehensive cat care reference tool I've ever read. The glossary is extremely well organized, helpful and time-saving.



2. Whoa. I am a cat lover. In fact, I am a lover of all animals. Anyone who "gives away" their animals, as far as I'm concerned, might as well be abandoning their children. And that's why I cannot recommend this book.
   On page 252, Hotchner blithely discusses giving away 2 cats, Bert and Ernie, after acquiring a third dog. Huh? This is the same woman who chides the reader for not understanding that a cat is a 10 to 20 year commitment? I don't get it.
   Well, apparently she acquired a puppy, which then created a pack mentality among the dogs. "So I gave the cats to a friend."
   She was about as emotional as discussing discarding day-old bread.
   So the cats had been living happily with your two dogs before you brought a new puppy into the home? Wouldn't it make sense to find the relatively emotionally unattached puppy a new home rather than destroying the lives of your two devoted cats?
   Bottom line: I wonder if the DVM who endorsed this book thoroughly digested that heartbreaking nugget...ditto the humane society endorser.
   The subhead of this book should be altered to read: Everything your Cat Expects You to Know: Please don't Abandon Me. I will Bond to You. I need to Know You are There for Me forever.
   If someone writes a "Cat Bible" it would help if 1) they actually had credentials in the veterinary field and b) they actually liked cats.



3. Being a cat lover, I also love books about cats. This one has lots of great information and is a handy reference. Well written and logically ordered.



4. This is an excellent source of information for anyone sharing a home with a cat/cats. They are NOT just small dogs, but have a unique, completely different personality. Dogs are pack animals, cats are not. This simple difference explains volumes! Spraying, peeing on a comforter may have nothing to do with the cleanliness of the litter pan. Lots of information!!



5. Demystified my cats and helps me when they are behaving strangely/not feeling well.
   Indespensable.

5 comments about Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life.

1. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants the best for their cat. The pet food philosphy that Dr. Hodgkins writes about makes total sense. It is my new 'cat bible' and I refer to it often.



2. This book provides basic information for even the most novice cat owner. It is a guide to help you learn about cats, and help you raise them in ways suitable to their needs. I enjoyed the information about the type of food to feed your cat. The percentages to look for when choosing food was a helpful guide to finding quality pet food, and eliminating the garbage.
   
   I was feeding my cat organic dry food, with some canned for a 'treat'. This book completely convinced me to stop the dry food entirely and switch to canned food. So far, my cat has lost weight and has improved her already beautiful coat. I would like to switch to some other natural/raw food as well, but one step at a time.
   
   The book provides a great overview, and for people who are not well-informed about the nature of cats or the types of ailments they can have or even the politics surrounding pet food, this is a great book to get you started. I recommend it to the experienced cat lover as well, varying perspective and further education is what makes a well-rounded pet owner.



3. Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life
   If you are feeding your cat ANY dry food STOP RIGHT NOW! Begin feeding most any canned food and read this book to learn all the reasons why you should do this and how to select the best food for your pet! Dr Hodgkins spent 10 years in the pet food industry and now specializes in cat care ,so she knows what she is talking about. I switched my 2 fat 10 year old cats from a diet of mostly dry food to canned food, per her recommendations, a few weeks ago and I can see improvements already. Very informative book!



4. I liked this book because I enjoy reading anything about cats. This book is loaded with "basic" information. As you read it you know that the author, Dr. Hodgkins DVM, has vast knowledge of cat care but just did not go deep enough into explaining the "whys & whats" I was looking to learn. I was hoping for more meaty information. I do recommend it to anyone that is new to cat ownership but it is not the best read for people looking for deep information into cat care & health. The illustrations are crude yet very cute.



5. I read this book cover to cover in a couple of days. Owning a diabetic cat it was so difficult to keep her levels under control. I followed the diet guidelines and used the reference tools suggested and now have an insulin free cat who lost two pounds in 6 weeks! My vet was so impressed they asked me to give them the information so they could try it themselves. If you have a cat with this problem I would highly recommend this book.

5 comments about Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs And Cats.

1. This book is an excellent introduction into home cooked food for your pet. It provides a basic education, some recipes to start with, and a wonderful perspective.
   
   Could you feed your dog forever with onyl this book? Yes. Is it likely to be the only book on canine nutrition you ever want to read? No, not if you're like me and want to balance your sources of information.
   
   Get this book, get started. Track your progress with the journal and see what happens at the end of 8 weeks. If your dog is responding well, keep going! Keep reading, try new recipes from other trusted sources like Pitcairn and Strombeck.
   
   Canine nutrition shouldn't be rocket science. Nor should it be a secret collection of data available only to the folks who make commercial dog food.



2. I bought this book after a recommendation by a pet psychic (yes, I'm one of THOSE people :)) and boy, did it make a difference!
   
   After realising what most of the pet food on the market is really made of, I've been wanting to cook my dogs' food, but was afraid of not giving them enough nutrients.
   This book makes it easy - within 8 weeks, in a simple step-by-step program, you will become an expert petfood cook and learn all about the necessary nutrients, supplements, and health benefits.
   
   I bought this book primarily for my 10-year old rescue dog, who was having problems with her ears and coat, due to allergies, and "popping" joints.
   After week 6 on this program, I noticed that her ears were no longer flaky and inflamed, fur had started to grow on a bald spot, dandruff had cleared up and no more sounds were coming from the joints.
   Also, there's a new spring in her step and she's just overall more active and downright frisky.
   
   It takes some effort and buying supplements to make this healthy food, but it pays off in the long run - I've saved on vet bills and my dog is much happier and healthier.



3. This book could have saved my dog. I sought out this book when my maltipoo's appetite was dim. She would barely eat anything and on top of that she was itchy and had grown a small benign tumor on her head. I knew that something was not right with her and so I looked closely at her diet. She has been on the stew, vitamin supplement and dream coat supplement for about 8 months and she is doing great! No more tumor, no itchy skin and no problems. Not to mention she would give her left paw for a lick of stew. Hippocrates said to let food be your medicine. Well thanks to Andi Brown, my dog is cured and healthy!



4. Our corgi, Zoey, was overweight and we knew it. She suddenly developed back pain and could hardly walk. We couldn't pick her up to go outside to potty because it hurt her more so we built her a ramp to get down from a 3 inch step. We were so scared for her, we'd sleep on the floor with her because she couldn't jump on the bed. The vet x-rayed her and said the best thing was for her to lose weight. We cut back on the amount of kibble we had given her for years, changed to "diet" food from the vet's office. She got better but was not losing weight even with daily walking. I found Andi Brown's Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs And Cats and jumped right in. The book guides you through an eight week transition. I skimmed the book, gave the kibble and treats to the local humane society, started cooking chicken stew right away. Zoey loves the food and had no problem adjusting to such yummy meals. She had no problems with digestive changes or output. Yes, it is time consuming but we cook a double batch that lasts two weeks. It took a little experimenting to get the serving size just right (a bit less than recommended) to lose and maintain the new weight. Our vet agrees with the homemade mixture and Zoey is down to the weight the vet recommends. She is happy and playful again and we never want her to suffer from being overweight again. We've been using the Whole Pet Diet for a year now and find it well worth the time to take care of our furchild. If you chose not to cook the meals, the book has a lot of information on ingredients to look for and avoid, exercise and play dates, and even bath time. This is a great book.



5. If you are a pet owner who is concerned for your pet's health then this is the book for you. Speaking from personal experience, I can guarantee that your pet will be healthier and happier if you feed the recipes that Andi brown provides in this book. The recipes are simple and easy and don't require extensive knowledge about animal nutrition to succeed. Buy this book - you'll benefit from it and your pet will thank you by living a longer and a healthier life. I've been buying this book and giving it away as a present for all my friends who are owned by their feline and canine companions.

5 comments about The Cat Behavior Answer Book: Practical Insights & Proven Solutions for Your Feline Questions (Answer Book (Storey)).

1. Yes, it is hard to say that a book has the answers for everything, so I can only say that it had answers to our problems. I moved my cat into a new house, where I thought the laundry room in the finished basement would be the best place for the litter box. Well, he (the cat) has been trying to tell me for weeks now (by pooping on the carpet, that is) that he doesn't like it there, and thanks to the good help of this book, I can now regain some sanity in our new house! As a fairly new cat owner, the book helped me figure out that I should move the box to a new location and probably add a second box on the upstairs level. Problem fixed! In addition to that, the book was entertaining and I read it from cover to cover, just to make sure I wasn't missing any other signs! Highly recommended.



2. I had read a good review of this book in Cat Fancy magazine, so I thought I would order it, thinking that it probably wouldn't teach me very much. How wrong I was. I learned so much about my cat from this book, and I recommend it highly to any cat owner that has wondered why his/her cat acts the way it does. The author is knowledgable, and this book will have a permanent spot in my library.



3. Borrowed this from a friend and I really liked it. Raised some interesting points and is full of new ideas.



4. Not what I was looking for. I've been a companion to cats for over 30 years and wanted to understand how to really take it to the next level: interpreting my kitty's meows, understanding her moods, learning how to be the best pal I could be to my BFF. This book did not provide much more than overviews. The "overview" on meow-types was very paltry and did not even mention the type of sound my cat makes when she leaves a "gift" by my door. (She's an indoor cat, but I hide a toy with cat treats in it every night and she finds it and brings it to my bedroom door as a gift. Too sweet.) I think this book would be best for brand new cat owners---I mean companions.



5. This is not the most amazing cat book ever. It is just another cat book. All these super positive reviews made me hope I would find answers that I haven't been able to find in dozens of other cat books, but within seconds, I knew this wasn't the book either. I looked up "spraying" in the index and all I got was Feliway for an answer, which I don't believe really works. It doesn't work on any of my eight cats. And medication, but doesn't say what medication. Just go to the vet. Gee, thanks. Like I couldn't figure that out.

5 comments about The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats (Prevention Pets).

1. This book is extremely helpful when you have pets. I have used it many times now.



2. I definitely reccomend this for anyone who loves their cats and dogs like family members! There are many life saving tips in this great book. I bought this book because I have a cat who like to chew on things, including electrical wires. I learned a lot about this scary issue, as well as, many other life saving bits of information that I had never known before. There is even a section on human medicine that is safe for cats and dogs. I think this book would come in handy in the event of an emergency after vet hours!!



3. The book is in great shape and is new, however, it took too long to receive it & I wouldn't purchase another book from a1 because of the length of time it took to recieve it.



4. I've been looking for a book like this. I'm a nurse and was taught many interventions to assist a patient in crisis in addition to contacting a physician. That's nursing for humans. Now I have the information to assist my pets. This book covers every thing from minor first aid to life saving interventions. It's organized so that you can find what you need quickly. Its written in such a down-to-earth style that I know what to do within a paragraph or two.



5. This is a wonderful movie. Exquisitely executed in period costume, with a world class orchestra. It was delightfully free of uneccessary verbage and saturated with eroticism. Sandra

5 comments about Blackwell 's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Canine and Feline (Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult).

1. This book is awesome! Does not go indepth, but has ALL the pertinent information related to specific diseases/clinical signs (definitions, Physiology, symptoms, lab work, treatment, follow up care)all on one page! A VERY useful book so far, especially from a tech's point of view!



2. Just replaced my 3rd edition, the 4th addition is a bit better has some new information, doseages for new drugs and a CD with Client education handouts.



3. I needed this item ASAP and I received it on time which was excellent since I paid for fast shipping. The cover of the book though looked a little worn. The book was supposed to be new but looking at it I wasn't 100% sure. If I had time I probably would have returned it for another copy. Besides that I was satisfied with my purchase.



4. Whenever I encounter a new disease, or need to refresh my memory about one I haven't seen lately, I reach for this book first. I find it to be concise, informative, and useful. While other medical texts make for good fireside or bedtime reading, this one cuts to the chase, and is useful in the midst of a busy veterinary schedule.
   I use this book as my "nerd book", jotting notes in the margins when I learn something new about a disease from reading journals. Overall I am quite impressed at how up-to-date and complete the information is vis-a-vis JAVMA, the Compendium for Continuing Education, etc. I also appreciate that this book comes out in new additions often enough to keep up with the rapid changes in veterinary medicine.



5. very helpful in learning details about diseases and drugs we use.Easy to use the book and easy to understand.Thank you for the opportunity for me to receive this book to Turkey.