Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats
December 30, 2009 by Diane Watkins
Filed under Products
Product Description
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 th… More >>
Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats
I am an avid animal lover and have always surrounded myself with cats and dogs. At the moment my animal companions consist of two Persian cats who allow me to share their space, and a ten year old Shi-tzu who now takes over my space and everyone’s space. The bed is hers, my husband’s favourite chair is hers and she has proclaimed the porch to be her own private “senior’s unit”, a sanctuary she chooses to share only with the cats.
I have been a firm believer in holistic health rememdies for humans and animals. Holistic and natural treatments can have a tremendous value in prevention and in treating a variety of health problems, particularly herbs, as long as one has adequate knowledge of what to take, what not to take, and what not to combine with other herbs. I found this book to be of considerable value in many respects, especially in the area of prevention.
One section of the book I did have a major problem with concerned home-made pet foods. Many home-made preparations simply lack the proper vitamins, minerals and nutritional value that is contained in a HIGH QUALITY pet food. For example, protein comes from a variety of sources; therefore, your home-made pet food may contain plenty of protein but from the wrong sources. Remember, animals in the wild generally receive their protein from meat sources. Also bear in mind that animals are as unique as people and many often have special needs. While I do support many aspects of holistic health care, I would never consider making my own pet food for cats or dogs, nor would I ever feed them a cheap, low-end commercial food often found on supermarket or department store shelves. Buy a nutritional pet food from your vet or quality pet store! You can always add supplements if your vet recommends it. Holistic treatments are not the answer to every problem, so if you are not sure what is going to help or harm your beloved friend, check with a qualified vet before attempting any new treatment. While the book was strong in areas of prevention, it was weak in pet nutrition.
Rating: 3 / 5
A friend of mine let me borrow her book so that I could copy some of the recipes to use for my new puppy. I found myself reading and interested in everything in this book from front to back and am buying myself my own copy! I think this is going to be real beneficial for my cats. I have noticed that they are not as in good health as they ought to be. Things like cuts don’t heal very quickly and almost always leave scars, and they don’t have very shiny coats makes me sceptical of their overall health. I think this book will definetly help. I want my pets to live as long as they can; I can’t imagine being without them!
Rating: 5 / 5
I bought this book to help me deal with my young Great Dane’s delicate stomach. I was very pleased with the depth and breadth of the information contained within, but I must admit I found some of the recipies a bit overwhelming to consider for a dog such as ours, which Pitcairn says may happen. But I liked the fact that a number of different “natural medicine” options are offered to help treat a wide range of issues.
Rating: 4 / 5
I have had two printings of this book. Not only is it good for learning how to make a homemade diet (or supplement one that is store bought), but it is a great reference for ailments your vet diagnosis. Homeopathy, flower essences and a few herbals are covered in this book. Those listed are usually things that can be done at home without bad consequence as well as along with conventional medication prescribed by your vet. This is a valuable book that should be used in CONJUNCTION with (not instead of) veterinary care. Obviously, I highly recommend it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Kudos to Drs. Pitcairn for their good sense on treating pets naturally. They are just as vulnerable to drug interactions as we are. I am very grateful to have found this wonderful book. A must have for every pet owner.
EO
Vernon NJ
Rating: 5 / 5