The Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs and Cats

by Andi Brown

Book Overview

One in four pets is obese, and every year owners spends thousands of dollars treating allergies, joint problems, digestive disorders, and serious diseases that could improve dramatically with a nutritious diet. Yet despite promises of complete and balanced meals, most commercial pet foods contain chemical preservatives, indigestible fillers, and dangerous by-products. If your pets are overweight, ailing, or aging, or you just want them to be as healthy...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1587612712
• ISBN13: 9781587612718
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: Celestial Arts
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Nice Alternative to Dr. Pitcairn's Natural Health Book (3rd ed)

If you haven't gotten your hands on Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, this is a nice alternative to that book. Andi does a great job of going over what is in commerical kibbles and what the components mean. Andi includes several meal recipes as well as treat recipes to keep your cat(s) and/or dog(s) happy. Andi also goes into details about the various supplements that she suggests that you use along with the meals. Included is information on various grains that are beneficial to use in the diets. Andi encourages you to use a journal to first evaluate your animal's current state of health and then track the weekly progress you make. Many people find this part the hardest to do. My suggestion - start a diet blog for your pet. The only big difference between the books is the size. Dr. Pitcairn's includes a section on how to deal with emergencies or diagnosing illnesses. If you're looking for strictly a diet book, this is the book you want to get.

I think this book saved my dog's life

After my always-healthy mini dachshund became suddenly very ill last year (with a mysterious "sterile inflammation" of the bladder - she couldn't pee), which cost five thousand dollars and put her through a week of torture at my vet and the local emergency care hospital, I picked up this book in a local bookstore, when I was searching for answers about what had really happened to my dog. Then I picked up her bag of Hill's Science Diet R/D chow, and discovered that in addition to byproducts, it contains a low grade pesticide! No wonder her immune system was going bonkers. I started cooking for her last November, and so far, she is doing great - her skin issues have cleared up, she is bright eyed and energetic, and her coat is glossy and soft. Once you get your ingredients together the recipes are easy to follow. I prepare a batch that lasts for three days and keep it refrigerated - easy. I highly recommend this book because commercial pet foods are really bad news, as the government doesn't care what ends up in it and doesn't regulate the manufacturing processes - if you can't eat it yourself, you shouldn't be giving it to your pet.

If You REALLY Love Your Pet....

Ironically, I ordered this book for my overweight dog just prior to the big scare with rat poisoning in the various commercial dog and cat foods. I think that incident is making a lot of pet owners rethink their position on cooking for their pets. Almost everyone originally thinks that there is NO WAY that they would have time to "cook" for their pet. The recipes contained in The Whole Pet Diet couldn't be EASIER. (And I'm SURE that they are less expensive than commercial food.) The primary stew for dogs or cats makes 20 cups and you are urged to divide it into portion Ziploc servings and freeze the servings that you don't use in a 3-day period. HOwever, this book is MUCH MORE than just recipes. It is an 8 week plan to bring play and nutrition and well-being to your cat or dog. It is filled with WONDERFUL success stories. I highly recommend it and have sent copies to several of my friends.

A world of knowledge

I thought I knew a tremendous amount about healthful feeding of critters. I've given home and refuge to horses, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, handicapped turtles, iguanas, fish, and more. Then I read the Whole Pet Diet, and realized how limited my knowledge was. Too often we trust the pet food mass production companies to provide our animal family with the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, supplements and treats. But now I understand the importance of organic, holistic, and home-made ingredients. Andi Brown has clarified the pathway to good health in a simple and sensible step-by-step program. You can take charge of your pet's well-being, and you come to realize that truly "you are what you eat". This book will ensure my pet's healthful future.